State prisons and county jails: What’s the difference?

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- New York National Guard members have been staffing state prisons while correction officers strike, but does any of what's going on affect county jails? NEWS10 spoke with several area sheriffs to learn more on the differences between the two systems.

“It's a very complex situation. It's not simple and it is different between county jail and prison,” stated Fulton County Sheriff, Richard Giardino.

He says one difference is the population in the jails. “A lot of our individuals are low level repeat offenders. So, they know the correctional officers.” Giardino went on to explain that could be a good thing by saying, “We're in a small town. A reward might be seeing somebody, at a Stewart’s Shop who says, ‘Thanks. You treated me decent when I was in the facility’.”

Mandated overtime is required at the county level, although not as many hours as at state prisons. It is one of the main complaints by striking officers. “Ours is usually mandated four on to eight. So, 12 hours, 16 would be unusual,” explained the sheriff.

The New York State Sheriffs Association President, Jim Quattrone says staffing is also different. “The big difference in my jail, we're nearly fully staffed. We're down to just a couple corrections officers, whereas at the state level, they're staffing levels are drastically reduced,” explained Quattrone.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said, “The trick is to keep staffing up and have a great support system.  Money is important but your mental health is even more important. If they [correction officers] are stuck everyday it’s going to take a toll.”

Sheriff Giardino said, “We have to treat people humanely, we have to treat people firmly and fairly. And we have to protect those people who protect us.

NEWS10’s Reporter, James De La Fuente asked, “Is there a concern of a strike in the county jails, as well?”

To which Montgomery County Sheriff, Jeff Smith said, “I think that we're okay, right now. But things change quickly."

Sheriff Apple said, “No. This will not spread.”