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NY prison ‘riot’ erupts, all visits canceled at 42 state prisons as union strikes rage
NY prison ‘riot’ erupts, all visits canceled at 42 state prisons as union strikes rage
Two inmates were reportedly injured during the troubles, but authorities have taken back control of the facility.
nypost.com
Corrections officials halted all outside visits to New York state prisons in the face of a growing jail guard strike and sporadic inmate unrest — as riots erupted at another upstate lockup Thursday.
The newest uprising by out-of-control inmates struck the Riverview Correctional Facility, a medium-security site near the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Ogdensburg.
No staffers were hurt during the chaos, which broke out around midnight amid rising tensions between prisoners and their overseers, WWNY reported.
Later, the 15 or 20 overnight guards withdrew again to an administrative section after inmates started breaking glass and trashing the dorms, which hold as many as 500 inmates.
Union officials later told the Times Union that the guards fled their posts because they were worried about their safety.
The staff called for help, and state officials sent in two emergency teams meant to quell the discontent.
“Last night, an incident occurred at Riverview Correctional Facility in which staff vacated their posts leaving the dorms unsupervised,” a spokesperson for the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision told The Post in an emailed statement.
~Snip~
The Ogdensburg riot came about a week after officials locked down the Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County following an inmate uprising, which left at least one guard hurt.
But in a strange twist, officials are now investigating a corrections sergeant for sparking what might have been an unwarranted lockdown at the medium-security prison in Collins, New York, according to the Times Union.
Officials are trying to figure out if the sergeant wrongly ordered guards to retreat from one of the dormitories — leaving the inmates in charge of the area.
“The preliminary investigation has revealed initial reports by staff were inaccurate thanks to recovered body-worn camera footage,” a department spokesperson told the Times Union.
~Snip~
On Wednesday, State Supreme Court Justice Donna M. Siwek ordered the guards head back to work because their wildcat strike isn’t allowed by state law.
Gov. Kathy Hochul — who had sued to break the picket lines — on Wednesday signed an executive order calling up 3,500 members of the National Guard for service in the remaining unmanned prisons.
“These disruptive and unsanctioned work stoppages by some correction officers must end as they are jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues, the prison population, and causing undue fear for the residents in the surrounding communities,” Hochul said in a statement.
~Snip~
Meanwhile, Hochul issued a Thursday statement saying she’s working on safety reforms, “including installing new security cameras, strengthening the Office of Special Investigations and increasing compensation for our hard-working correction officers.”
“Public safety is my top priority,” the governor said. “I will continue doing everything in my power to keep our correctional facilities safe for all.”
Commentary:
The Neo-Marxist Democrat New York State run machine is full of ignorance and indifference to policy issues and have created a powder keg within the State prison system. The correctional Staff have very legitimate concerns and they are being totally ignored by those in power. What's happening is the result and it will only get worse.. the HALT act needs to go. This is not over compensation, this is safety for staff and inmates alike..
She is continuing Cuomo's legacy of hating on corrections. No respect, forced overtime, fear of another closure and inmate loving. Years back Cuomo showed up at a secure facility unannounced with his security detail. .
He was refused entry because weapons are not allowed within prisons. Instead of leaving the weapons at the door and accompanied inside unarmed he refused. He didn't mind that staff was unarmed and to deal with the violence but if had a walk an inch in our shoes he chickened out.
Hochul has done nothing to improve the Correctional system.
It’s hard to imagine a happy ending for the current riots with Hochul in charge.
Hochul claims to not have the money to hire more staff. Her solution was to force the C.O's to work double and triple shifts. This is the same governor who gave a billion tax payer dollars to the owners of the Buffalo Bills to build a new stadium and is supporting sanctuary for illegal aliens.
BTW,
FYI….. This isn’t a union strike. This is caused by C.O.'s officers have had enough of working 24 hour or longer shifts. Most prisons in NYS are running between 50%~60% staffing levels.
New York State needs to hire approximately 4000 C.O.'s to maintain normal staffing levels.
If Hochul cannot contain this within the next 24 hours, the Federal government needs to intervene to prevent further chaos.
