Governor orders striking prison guards back to work

COXSACKIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- As the New York prison strikes continue correction officers have been given orders from the governor to return to work or face consequences. The union representing state prison guards said they did not authorize this strike and concede it is illegal. The striking guards could be fined or face other sanctions. As union leaders met with Governor Hochul's office, comes word that if officers return by midnight tonight, they will not be disciplined.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she wants to, "Just try to stabilize the situation and calm it down.”

To which retired Greene County Correction Officer, Jim Stone replied, “The governor believes in consequences for actions. Everybody here understands there are consequences for our actions.” Stone went on to explain current employees still have concerns about going back to work and that they have questions for the governor. “They don’t feel it’s clear enough. There is a couple of points in there, but there’s a little more nuances that they really need to address,” said Stone.

The department of corrections announced changes to get some officers back to work and said it will temporarily suspend parts of the HALT Act, which restricts the use of solitary confinement.

Stone says it is not about repealing the HALT act but said they want to include confinable offenses as a way to incentivize good behavior. “They’re going to address some of the HALT issue, it’s not all about HALT,” said Stone.

The retired correction officer said the officers also want limits on required overtime by saying, “They no longer want the 24 hours, mandated to stay. If they volunteer to stay 24 hours, more power to you.”

The department of corrections also rescinded the so-called 70/30 memo from earlier this month that prisons were full staffed at 70% capacity and will boost overtime pay.

The prison guards on strike said they want to feel safe at work and that more needs to be done to retain new officers.

At a press conference, Governor Hochul addressed staffing concerns among the prison system saying, “There is a severe shortage of people who want to be correction officers in our state. That is a statement of fact. And that has become very challenging for us."

The correction officers on strike said they will be back tomorrow and that this strike is not over.