Albany, NY – March 3, 2025 – Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York (PLS) expresses deep concern over the ongoing illegal strike by prison guards, which violates the Taylor Law and jeopardizes the safety of incarcerated individuals. Since the illegal strike began, seven incarcerated people have died. Reports indicate severe shortages of food, medical and mental health care, showers, and exercise. Additionally, all legal phone calls and visits have been suspended, preventing clients and prospective clients from speaking with their lawyers. 

The unlawful work stoppage disregards nearly six decades of legal protections that balance the rights of public employees with the essential operation of public services.

The Taylor Law, enacted in 1967, provides a framework for fair labor negotiations. This principle was reinforced in the 1972 Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority decision and later codified in the 1982 Triborough Amendment, which requires public employers to maintain existing contract conditions during negotiations. These longstanding safeguards were designed to protect both workers and the public, preventing the type of disruption now unfolding.

The illegal strike by correction officers places incarcerated individuals at risk, disrupts daily operations, and compromises fundamental rights guaranteed by both the New York State and United States Constitutions. While public employees have the right to negotiate for fair working conditions, they do not have the right to abandon their posts in defiance of New York State Law. The impact of their actions is being felt most acutely by those inside, people who have no say in these negotiations but who are suffering the consequences.

PLS urges the striking correction officers to comply with the Taylor Law and calls on the Governor and the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to take the following immediate action to mitigate the harm caused by this strike:

1. 1. 1. Increase staffing by deploying additional National Guard personnel.
      2. Increase transparency through the presence of observers from the State Commission of Correction, the Correctional Association, the State Justice Center, Disability Rights New York, and PLS to monitor and report on prison conditions.
      3. Restore essential services including the immediate resumption of all outside medical appointments, legal phone calls, and legal visits.
      4. Reduce the prison population by utilizing the DOCCS Commissioner’s authority under Correction Law §73(1) to transfer individuals eligible for community supervision within six months, or those with one year or less remaining on their sentence, to Residential Treatment Facility status in the community.
         
         

Incarcerated individuals already face dangerous conditions, and this unlawful strike further exacerbates their vulnerability. The law exists to ensure continuity of public services, and no one, especially those in state custody should be used as leverage in a labor dispute.  In any such situation, the safety and well-being of incarcerated individuals and the broader public must come first.

FOR FAMILY MEMBERS & FRIENDS
WHO HAVE LOVED ONES BEHIND BARS

• • • PLS is collecting information about conditions to determine how and where we can best respond. Please call our offices with any information regarding prison conditions.

• • • If your loved one has a time-sensitive concern regarding their health or safety, we recommend calling the facility and asking to speak with the Superintendent or other supervisory staff to advise them of the issue or, if it’s a mental health concern, contact the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) Unit Chief.
    • Families can also contact their state assembly and/or senate representatives to express concern about the conditions in DOCCS facilities. Contact information is available at: https://elections.ny.gov/new-york-state-elected-officials
      
      

FOR CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PLS OFFICES PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York – Pursuing justice for incarcerated New Yorkers since 1976