Prisoner Dies As Illegal Strike Guard Continues In New York

While prison guards continue with illegal strikes, a prisoner has died. The strikes at New York State prisons were not sanctioned by the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association. In New York, strikes by public employees 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. As corrections officers, who are law enforcement officers, continue to defy the judge and the law, an inmate has died.

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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."

Inmate Dies At New York State Prison During Guard Strike

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision announced that inmate Jonathan Grant died while the illegal guard strike continued, according to 1010Wins. Grant was pronounced dead on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 8:30 am. He was found unresponsive in his cell. Life-saving measures were performed, including CPR, and Narcan was administered. Grant was serving a 34 to 40-year sentence for first-degree rape and first-degree burglary. His death will be investigated by DOCCS.

READ MORE: Top 6 Prisons With The Most Deaths In New York

Credit: CBS New York via Youtube

In addition to the death, two prison buses were vandalized during the strike. The two buses were 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. According to The Times Union, 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.”

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