Unions
The Unions section focuses on the role of labor unions in advocating for correctional staff rights, working conditions, and benefits. This directory provides articles and resources on union activities, negotiations, and the impact of unions on correctional facility operations. Understanding unions’ influence is crucial for staff and administrators in navigating workplace issues and improving labor relations. For more on workforce management, explore our section on Corrections1 Career Resources.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered the firing of 14 employees, most of whom are correctional officers, for their involvement in the attack
During the attack, two North Branch Correctional Institution corrections officers were stabbed; one CO suffered a laceration to the neck and was airlifted to a hospital
The union said prison violence is worsened by staffing shortages, with 33,516 inmates in state prisons but a total of 14,276 COs as of Nov. 1., the lowest level in two decades
Legislators called for the governor to start routine tactical searches, ensure swift prosecution of inmate assaults and establish monthly meetings with the COs’ union
The decision seeks to provide Lancaster County corrections officers additional rest to compensate them for working in hot, uncomfortable conditions
The current pace of change has left a dangerous situation in both adult and juvenile prisons across Maryland, employees and union leaders said
The conflict between the union and the DOC comes after multiple inmates stabbed two COs and injured three others in an attack at Souza-Baranowski prison
The Massachusetts DOC has increased resources inside Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, including adding “specialized staff” to day and evening shifts
Five Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center COs were injured in the attack by multiple inmates; one CO was stabbed 12 times and suffered a punctured lung
In addition to a lack of training, the union said the facilities at High Desert are not able to safely house maximum custody inmates without putting COs at “unnecessary risk”
“There is no deterrent anymore for bad behavior in our prison system and it cannot be any more evident than in unprovoked attacks like this,” the union’s president said
A brawl started in the Auburn Correctional Facility’s recreation yard when an inmate struck a sergeant, causing her to fall and hit her head on a fence post
A Five Points Correctional Facility CO was making rounds when they found an inmate on a hospital bed ripping out electrical wires and destroying the fire alarm on the ceiling
The union representing the COs supported the legislation due to privacy concerns after the repeal of law 50-a, which removed privacy protections
The 38 weapons were seized at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center shortly after a CO was exposed to a synthetic cannabinoid and knocked unconscious
To compensate for shortages, prison administrators regularly schedule OT shifts for officers, something the union said makes a dangerous job even more dangerous
Mass. CO who was knocked unconscious reportedly denied leave by Department of Correction
After the incident on July 20, DOC said the department was conducting a “thorough review of this matter to determine the facts and circumstances”
“Adding inmates to an already stressful environment is problematic, and it could get somebody seriously hurt,” National Correctional Employees Union Director Bill Doyle said
Instead of closing prisons, the union supports pay increases and revisions to the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act
“This labor agreement will help to ensure that the brave members of the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association are fairly compensated for their tremendous contributions to our state,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said
The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union stated that closing MCI-Concord or any other prison “will burden our already violent and dangerous prisons”
“The state needs to do more to support the correctional officers and civilians that walk into these facilities every day to help keep us all safe, not overcrowd them or shut them down,” State Assemblyman D. Billy Jones said
Union highlights significant wage gap for “under-appreciated, undervalued and misunderstood” probation officers compared to NYPD, correction staff
BOP’s regional office announced the 25% retention pay employees have received since early 2022 will be discontinued at the end of the year
The union said the attack is “directly related” to decisions made by department leadership to double bunk housing units in Maleng Regional Justice Center
The union said COs at four state prisons are having trouble managing high-risk prisoners who are benefiting from a new law enacted in 2022 that provides inmates with more recreation time
One union called the potential action a “slap in the face for the heroes who put their lives on the line every day”
The union said 115 staff members would be affected by the closure of Larch and that the majority accepted positions at other DOC facilities or state agencies
Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center wants to add 26 detention officers and increase pay to combat overtime expenses and reduce officer burnout
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