Saratoga, N.Y. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik joined New York Republican Colleagues in sending a letter to Kathy Hochul to call attention to the excessive demands and widespread abuse that correctional officers across New York State are currently experiencing under her watch.
“I will always stand up for our correctional officers and their families against the failed policies of Governor Kathy Hochul and her radical Far Left Democrat agenda. Far Left Hochul is responsible for the dangerous challenges facing our correctional officers across New York State. The rise in ‘inmate on officer’ assaults and the retention issues our correctional facilities experience are due to her failure to support correctional officers and their incredibly important work keeping our communities safe. I will continue to fight for the best interest of our officers as I bring their concerns to the highest levels of government,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
In the letter, the lawmakers state, “Correctional law enforcement officers routinely report for 8-hour shifts, only to clock out 16 to 24 hours later, because of the overtime required to keep facilities safe. These officers endure the immense physical and psychological demands of their work, combined with unpredictable hours and crippling overtime. They are often working excessive hours, even on days when they were scheduled to be off-duty. These officers have been subjected to unprecedented levels of workplace violence. This year is on pace to shatter previous years’ records of confirmed violations.
The lawmakers continued, “More than half of New York’s correctional facilities are over 40 officers below their Budgeted Fill Level (BFL), indicating an acute staffing shortage. Some facilities are over 70 officers below their BFL. In response to these conditions, corrections officers are leaving in droves, and there is little relief for those who have chosen to remain. The men and women who have not yet sought employment elsewhere are now forced to work up to four mandated 16-hour shifts each week, deprived of the ability to see their families while the facilities they oversee hold “family festivals” for criminal inmates. Their commitment to New York State is met with neglect.”
The letter requests Hochul respond to multiple questions regarding what her administration has done to ensure correctional officers receive regularly scheduled days off and the effects of the HALT Act on physical violence rates within correctional facilities skyrocketing.
Stefanik was joined by New York Representatives Brandon Williams, Claudia Tenney, Andrew Garbarino, Michael Lawler, Nicole Malliotakis, Anthony D'Esposito, and Nicholas Langworthy.
Read the full letter HERE.
