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Several dozen officers stood across from Auburn Correctional Facility with spray-painted "strike" signs, wearing multiple layers of clothing and gathering around barrel fires due to the cold temperatures. A similar demonstration was held outside Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia.Ìý

The officers join staff at more than 20 other correctional facilities that are on strike. The strike began Monday at three facilities, but grew on Tuesday to include more than half of the state's prisons.Ìý

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which oversees state prisons, on Tuesday blasted the "illegal job actions" that are occurring across the state. The department said the correction officer strike is "jeopardizing the safety and security of their coworkers." 

DOCCS previously said the protests are "illegal and unlawful." State law prohibits public employee strikes.Ìý

The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union representing state correction officers, did not sanction the strike. The union said Monday that staff members did not report to work due to their "discontentment with current working conditions." 

According to DOCCS, the striking officers have several demands, including repealing the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act, known as HALT, and actions the department could take to boost recruitment. However, the department noted that the demands would require either changing laws or are in violation of the collective bargaining agreement.Ìý

NYSCOPBA ratified a new three-year contract in 2024.Ìý

Citing fear of losing their jobs or other punishment, officers are not speaking with the press.Ìý

The statewide strike is in response to increasing violence in state prisons. In 2024, DOCCS reported a record 1,760 assaults on staff. The previous high was 1,671 in 2023.Ìý

Over the years, NYSCOPBA has highlighted violent incidents targeting its members. Last year, there were multiple assaults reported at Auburn Correctional Facility, including attacks on female officers.Ìý

Although DOCCS says it has taken action to combat the violence, NYSCOPBA doesn't believe enough has been done to address the problem. The union has blamed HALT for the recent spike in violence and called for its repeal, but that would require legislative action.Ìý

The strike is affecting operations at more than two dozen prisons. Visitation has been canceled at four prisons, including Auburn.

A family member of an incarcerated individual at Cayuga Correctional Facility told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» that inmates have been notified that they won't receive packages and will be unable to participate in classes or jobs until the strike ends.Ìý