Prison Guards Striking In New York Face Arrests

New York State Police are serving court orders to the prison guards for illegally striking, in new development. 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.

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A judge ordered the striking corrections officers to return to work and stop their unsanctioned strike, however, many officers are still defying the court order. Whether they have legitimate grievances with their jobs or not, they are still required by law to return to work.

Those guards who have decided that they are not willing to follow the law are now being served with court orders by New York State Police, according to The Times Union. Troopers are serving the striking workers, who can potentially be arrested if they continue to defy orders. Thousands of guards are still on strike, according to sources with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

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Many of the officers are hiding their identities in an effort to avoid punishment for their actions, however, once they are arrested, their identities will likely be revealed. The strike is causing chaos and hardship within the prisons. Attorneys representing inmates say they have been denied access to showers, and medical care and that violent incidents are increasing. The strike could backfire on the officers who choose not to return to work.

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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