New York Prison Strike Escalates as State Threatens Legal Action and Considers Out-of-State Transfers

Correction officers protest unsafe working conditions and solitary confinement reforms, while prisons face staffing shortages and rising violence.

Thousands of New York correction officers have participated in an illegal strike, citing unsafe working conditions, understaffing, and the impact of the 2021 HALT Act on prison safety.
Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard to state prisons, threatened striking officers with legal action, and proposed transferring incarcerated individuals to out-of-state facilities.
The HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement, has been a key point of contention, with officers arguing it has increased violence, while advocates say it ensures humane treatment for incarcerated individuals.
Negotiations between the state corrections department and union representatives are ongoing, with discussions including overtime pay and potential adjustments to HALT provisions.
Prisons are reporting deteriorating conditions, including restricted inmate movement and inadequate services, with one inmate's death over the weekend raising concerns about medical care during the strike.