Congresswoman Tenney Releases Statement on the Ongoing Strikes at New York's Correctional Facilities

Oswego, New York – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today released the following statement on the ongoing strikes at some of New York's Correctional Facilities, including the Attica, Auburn, Wyoming, Elmira, Cayuga, Albion and Five Points correctional facilities.

“For years, Correctional Officers (COs) have raised serious concerns about unsafe working conditions caused by severe staffing shortages and pro-criminal policies pushed by Governor Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats. Assaults on COs have nearly doubled, and they are routinely forced to work double and even triple shifts,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

“Instead of addressing these issues and working to make these essential jobs safer, Governor Hochul and Acting DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello recently instructed prison superintendents to treat just 70% of staffing capacity as "full staffing."

“Now, as COs are advocating for better working conditions, Kathy Hochul and Commissioner Martuscello are holding the COs who decided to go to work hostage and forcing inmates into a 24-hour lockdown. This situation is at a boiling point, and sending in the National Guard will only make this situation more dangerous. Our state's National Guardsmen are some of the best soldiers our country has to offer but placing them in this situation is misguided and dangerous. Sending in the National Guard will only put more lives at risk.

“These dangerous working conditions are only set to get worse. Governor Hochul and Commissioner Martuscello must treat COs with the respect they deserve and recognize them as the essential workers they are. I stand with our courageous correctional officers.”

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