Gov. Hochul’s Resolution to NY Prison Strike Fails to Address Underlying Issues

Governor Kathy Hochul has brought an end to the state prison-guard strike, but the broader crisis continues to loom.

As part of her actions, she dismissed over 2,000 guards who refused to return to work, leading to some prisons operating with only 25% of their usual staffing and staff members taking on 12-hour shifts.

Consequently, 6,500 National Guard troops will remain stationed at the prisons indefinitely, even though many guardsmen do not feel adequately prepared for this role.

Additionally, rank-and-file members have expressed a clear lack of confidence in their union leadership, having turned down the union’s initial agreement with the governor. This has compelled her to unilaterally announce a slightly improved settlement and to terminate those guards who refused to comply.

Even so, the number of returning guards did not meet the 85% threshold she claimed was essential for her proposal to be viable, although she plans to proceed largely as intended.

She has also temporarily lifted (for 90 days) the ban on solitary confinement, which was a primary concern for the strikers, and is addressing other issues by increasing wages and eliminating 24-hour shifts.

However, will the Legislature agree? It pushed for the end of solitary confinement by passing the HALT (Human Alternatives for Long-Term Solitary Confinement) Act without proposing an adequate alternative to discipline violent inmates.

In truth, the progressives championing the end of solitary confinement tend to question the very foundations of prisons and policing.

This situation exposes a significant risk for potential future upheavals — whether it be a prison riot, another spontaneous strike, or some other unexpected incident.

Further troubles are looming on New York’s horizon due to the progressive refusal to confront reality and Hochul’s ongoing attempts to find a middle ground.