By Robert Harding
The Citizen, Auburn, N.Y.
AUBURN, N.Y. — As correction officers strike at 25 New York prisons, including Auburn and Cayuga, the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is responding to their demands — a list the agency says “would require changing laws and violating their own collective bargaining agreement.”
HALT
The officers want the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act repealed. The law was enacted to limit the use of solitary confinement in prisons. But officers say it has fueled the increased violence in correctional facilities.
DOCCS notes that any changes to HALT would require legislative action.
No staffing reductions
DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III issued a memo asking superintendents to “identify efficiencies in order to provide relief to the hardworking men and women who are correction officers within the facilities.” The department clarified it is not a staffing cut, but “a way to ensure staff have a work-life balance while we continue to pursue a variety of recruitment initiatives...”
Grandfather Tier 5 and 6 to Tier 3
This should allow workers classified as Tier 5 or 6 in the retirement system to be grandfathered in as Tier 3.
DOCCS cannot do this without legislative approval.
A secure vendor program
The demands include establishing a secure vendor program and discontinuing the use of third-party vendors. DOCCS explained that implementing the vendor package program was based on a recommendation from the Prison Violence Task Force . The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association , the union representing correction officers, has seats on the task force.
DOCCS believes the program has been successful in reducing contraband in prisons. The number of package room contraband recoveries has decreased from 920 in 2020 to 34 last year, according to the agency.
The officers are asking for incoming mail to be photocopied or scanned to incarcerated individuals through their JPay email.
DOCCS photocopies incoming mail for incarcerated individuals at all facilities except the Edgecombe Residential Transitional Facility. The agency is exploring other options for incoming mail and has a new program for staff to confirm whether legal mail was sent by law offices before it is opened and delivered to the incarcerated individual.
Body scans for visitors
Officers want mandated body scans for visitors. According to DOCCS, body scanners can be used on incarcerated individuals, staff and visitors, but they do have the option to decline. The agency notes that any changes to the opt-out provision would require legislative action.
There are 88 body scanners in state prisons.
Location pay
Officers want DOCCS to fulfill its pledge for location pay. The department is continuing to review “a variety of options in order to increase recruitment and retainment of staff, including various scenarios pertaining to a salary enhancement or referral incentive.”
The starting salary for correction officers has increased by $6,500, according to the agency, and there is a regional recruitment campaign to boost staffing levels. The contract ratified by NYSCOPBA in 2024 includes annual pay raises, location pay increases and paid parental leave.
Timely staff disciplinary actions
According to DOCCS, this demand violates the collective bargaining agreement ratified by NYSCOPBA. That contract details the timeline for staff discipline.
Pay increases
DOCCS said officers are demanding an increased pay grade — 17 for security staff and 20 for sergeants. Martuscello supports a one-grade increase and would be willing to go to a two-grade increase for correction officers and sergeants.
Facility superintendents’ lockdown authority
Officers want superintendents to have the authority to lockdown facilities and close programs due to prison conditions. DOCCS responded that facility superintendents can close programs, but facility lockdowns require the commissioner’s approval.
‘Representation of security staff separate from the collective bargaining unit’
DOCCS wasn’t clear about this request, but added that NYSCOPBA is the recognized bargaining agency for correction officers and sergeants.
Recruitment
Amid system-wide staffing shortages, the officers have several recruiting suggestions. They include: A 20-year retirement (correction officers must work 25 years for a full retirement), incentive hiring bonus, 2.5 times pay for all overtime on Fridays and weekends, double pay for all overtime Monday through Thursday, no overtime mandates over 16 hours, step raises adjusted to the top rate at 15 years and a retention benefit of 25-year retirement lock, which would guarantee security families to receive full retirement after 25 years.
DOCCS responded that legislative action would be required for several of the recruitment proposals.
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