New York Prison Bus Set On Fire As Strike Continues

Two buses worth hundreds of thousands of dollars have been vandalized. Prison guards in New York State are continuing with their illegal strike. There have been quite a few developments since the strike began.

READ MORE: These Prisons Have The Most Inmates In New York

Credit: CBS New York via Youtube

The strikes were not sanctioned by the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association. Strikes by public employees in New York are prohibited by Taylor's Law. On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Erie County State Supreme Court Judge Dennis E. Ward issued a temporary restraining order which requires the officers to return to work immediately, according to the New York Times.

Sanctions have been levied against the corrections officers who choose to continue with the illegal strike. According to The Times Union, the officers will not be paid for the days they were on strike and are considered absent without leave. They were warned that their health insurance was being canceled. Nine officers who are on probationary status are being fired or demoted. Governor Kathy Hochul said,

“These disruptive and unsanctioned work stoppages by some correction officers must end as they are jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues, the prison population, and causing undue fear for the residents in the surrounding communities."

READ MORE: The Most Deadly Prison Riot In America Happened In New York

Prison guards claim they are facing unsafe conditions due to violence. In 2023, which is the most recent data, there were 1,671 assaults on staff in prisons around New York State. There was a 13 percent increase in violence against staff members from 2022 to 2023. As far as assaults on incarcerated individuals, there were 2,112 in 2023, an increase of 42 percent from 2022 when there were 1,488 incarcerated individuals assaulted. Staff used 2,908 weapons in 2023, up 16 percent from 2022 when staff used 2,511 weapons. In 2024, prisoners filed 1,443 grievances against prison staff.

Credit: 13WHAM ABC News via Youtube

Two Buses Vandalized At New York State Prison

Things have escalated as two buses parked at a repair shop in Cayuga County were vandalized. One was set on fire and the other had the words “Now you’ll hear us,” spray painted on it. The buses belong to a Department of Corrections and Community Supervision vendor. Thomas Mailey, a spokesman for DOCCS said,

“Two DOCCS full-size coach buses, parked in a heavy duty repair shop parking in Cato, were vandalized. One was spray painted and the other set on fire. The investigation into who committed these acts is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the striking officers are creating chaos and putting extra stress on the officers who are still working. The National Guard is helping keep order in the prisons while the officers continue with the illegal strike. Some guards may need to consider other occupations other than working in prisons by the time the strike ends. Prisons hold criminals, often dangerous, and the workers in them should be aware of that before they choose to take jobs working in prisons. New York State has increased corrections officers' compensation recently:

• Increased salaries and starting pay for new employees by $6,500.

• Increased Correction Officer location-based pay by $500 to $1,000 per Officer for downstate assignments.

• Increased Correction Officer hazardous duty pay from $200 to $1,075.

• Provides 12 weeks of fully-paid parental leave.

READ MORE: New York To Pay For Transgender Prisoners Transition Surgery

Governor Hochul Seeks To Close 5 Prisons

According to The Times Union, Governor Kathy Hochul is asking the New York State legislature for the power to close up to five prisons. She closed two prisons were closed in 2024. New York State's prison population has been declining. In 1999 it was over 70,000 to around 33,500 in 2024, according to Syracuse.com.

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