Correctional officers at more than 20 facilities in upstate New York this week began holding attacks and protests following recent attacks on staff, likely to continue after state memos acknowledged a shortage of staff.
According to the State Correctional Officers and Police Charity Association (NYSCOPBA), officers are protesting working conditions, including staffing and safety.
In fact, there were 2,070 attacks statewide in 2024, much more than in the past four years, according to data from the State Department of Corrections (DOCCS). Most of these attacks occurred in the largest security prisons. There have already been 160 records in the calendar year of 2025.
Last week, an incident at Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County caused three minor injuries to a prison where staff and prison are locked down.
Furthermore, attacks among incarcerated individuals were also significantly higher than 2024 than in 2024, more than doubled in 2020, with 249 already more than doubled in 2025.
These attacks resulted in injuries to prison staff. The same data found since November showed that 630 staff members suffered minor injuries, 48 people suffered moderate injuries and 11 people suffered serious injuries.
Even the state recognizes its shortcomings when it comes to staffing. According to an internal memorandum issued by the Commissioner of DOCCS Daniel Martuscello on February 10, “We continue to have significant vacancy across the department, particularly in our position as amendment officer. Recruitment such as local employment. Although some of the strategies are beginning to see some positive results, we have reached the point where we need to conduct a full review of all posts in the plot plan. Temporarily satisfied , it really redefines how we do business.”
Additionally, Martuscello said in a memo obtained Tuesday by Spectrum News that “the broader community is arguing that 70% of our original staff models are the new 100%.”
State staffing has been significantly reduced from a few years ago, primarily due to a significant decline in the number of incarcerated individuals within the state. Data from the DOCCS shows that since 1999, New York’s prison population has fallen by about 54%, bringing it to 33,594 from 72,649 incarcerated individuals. As a result, since 2011, the state has eliminated more than 15,000 prison beds and closed a total of 26 correctional facilities due to excess bed capacity, saving approximately $492 million a year overall.
If the number of incarcerated individuals is down 54%, then the number of staff at New York prisons will decrease by 37%. At the end of 2024 there were 14,095 employment officers, sergeant and middle eu. Twenty years ago, there were 21,068.
The current strike is not approved by Niskobba as state Taylor law prohibits civil servants from attacks.
