{"id":25417,"date":"2021-05-20T14:33:32","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T18:33:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=25417"},"modified":"2021-05-20T14:33:32","modified_gmt":"2021-05-20T18:33:32","slug":"nys-nyscopba-officials-call-on-governor-cuomo-doccs-to-halt-future-prison-closures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2021\/05\/20\/nys-nyscopba-officials-call-on-governor-cuomo-doccs-to-halt-future-prison-closures\/","title":{"rendered":"NYS\/NYSCOPBA officials call on Governor Cuomo, DOCCS to halt future prison closures"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Union Cites Increased Violence, COVID as Need To Create Impact Study<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Press release<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On May 19, 2021, NYSCOPBA Union Officials called on Governor Cuomo and DOCCS to put a hold\u00a0on any future prison closures until a comprehensive study can be commissioned to address the rising violence inside prisons amid a steady decline in the prison population.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his tenure, Governor Cuomo has presided over an unprecedented 19 prison facility closures.  While the Governor proudly touts he is responsible for closing the most prison facilities of any Governor in New York State history, he continues to fail to recognize and address the violence that is spiraling out of control inside our prison walls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The numbers simply speak for themselves. Over the last ten years, the number of inmates has declined by over 20,000, while violence against staff has increased by 100 percent. Inmate on inmate violence continues to crest towards a triple digit percentage increase as well. Contraband, that includes deadly drugs and make shift weapons, continues to be seized by staff at record numbers. There is simply no end in sight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


This has all occurred under the Governor\u2019s watchful eye without any meaningful discussion with NYSCOPBA members about how to stem the levels of violence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of the prison closures also has devastating impacts outside of the prison walls. The majority of these shuttered facilities reside in upstate, rural communities. When a prison closes it can tear apart a large fabric of the community. Officers and their families can be uprooted and local businesses can be devastated by the lost revenue provided by employees of the prison. Support that the facility and the employees provide to the community is immeasurable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NYSCOPBA has a bill pending in the State Legislature, which established a commission to study and make recommendations on violence in state correctional facilities. The failure to enact this legislation is turning a blind eye to the officers who are attacked on a daily basis and betrays every man and woman who put on that uniform every day to protect New Yorkers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closing additional prisons will only create tighter living conditions and more confined spaces for thousands of dangerous inmates. It creates a potentially explosive environment every day for staff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past year, the COVID pandemic has disrupted society in a variety of ways. It has also negatively impacted our organization as well. From day one, the brave men and women of NYSCOPBA have been on the front lines, braving the risks the deadly virus brought with it. 100s of members contracted the virus, 1000s were forced to quarantine by the State and unfortunately, we lost several of our members to the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we continue to navigate our way through the pandemic, now is not the time to reduce the ability to socially distance by closing more prisons. COVID is still real. People are still contracting the virus. People are still dying from it. Our members deserve to have their safety and the safety of their families be a priority. Creating less available space is misguided and a disservice to everyone, including the incarcerated population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cToday we are calling on the Governor and DOCCS to put the brakes on any further prison closures until a comprehensive study, which we have been calling on for years, is commissioned to make real recommendations on how to effectively decrease the violence inside our facilities. Oneida Correctional Facility, which was closed nearly a decade ago, is a another reminder of this administration\u2019s failure to properly support the brave men and women of NYSCOPBA who put their lives on the line every day. Basking in the glory of closing the most prison facilities in New York State history is hailed as being fiscally responsible, but ultimately has come at the expense of our members\u2019 safety. \u201d  –  stated NYSCOPBA President Michael Powers. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Union Cites Increased Violence, COVID as Need To Create Impact Study Press release On May 19, 2021, NYSCOPBA Union Officials called on Governor Cuomo and DOCCS to put a hold\u00a0on any future prison closures until a comprehensive study can be commissioned to address the rising violence inside prisons amid a \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14823,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[716],"tags":[2055,2607],"class_list":["post-25417","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nys","tag-nyscopba","tag-prison-closures"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-6BX","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":31515,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2022\/03\/29\/nyscopba-braces-for-increased-violence-as-halt-is-fully-implemented-in-nys-prisons-this-week\/","url_meta":{"origin":25417,"position":0},"title":"NYSCOPBA braces for increased violence as HALT is fully implemented in NYS prisons this week","author":"aka","date":"March 29, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Violence in facilities has increased 124% over the past decade Violent attacks on staff by incarcerated individuals reached an all-time high in 2021, despite the lowest prison population since 1984 Lead plaintiff in landmark prisoner civil rights case believes HALT will lead to more violence in facilities For Immediate Release\/Press\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NYS"","block_context":{"text":"NYS","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/nys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/NYSCOPA.png?fit=353%2C285&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":19697,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2020\/09\/26\/nys-governor-delays-increase-for-the-third-time-since-march\/","url_meta":{"origin":25417,"position":1},"title":"NYS\/Governor delays increase for the third time since March","author":"aka","date":"September 26, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"NYSCOPBA Statement On Wage Increase Deferral\u00a0 For Immediate Release September 26, 2020 NYSCOPBA has learned that Governor Cuomo has deferred the contractually required 2% wage increase \u00a0for the third time since the COVID pandemic began in March.\u00a0 The raise, which was originally scheduled to occur in April, and was originally\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NYS"","block_context":{"text":"NYS","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/nys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/NYSCOPA.png?fit=353%2C285&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":50192,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/02\/01\/nys-hawley-opposes-proposed-prison-closures\/","url_meta":{"origin":25417,"position":2},"title":"NYS\/Hawley opposes proposed prison closures","author":"aka","date":"February 1, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release\/provided photo Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) recently joined his colleagues in the Assembly to oppose Gov. Hochul\u2019s proposed plan to close up to five New York state prisons within the next year. Yesterday, members of the Assembly Republican Conference held a press conference to discuss the dangers this initiative\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NYS"","block_context":{"text":"NYS","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/nys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/image2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/image2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/image2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/image2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/image2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19982,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2020\/10\/14\/nys-nyscopba-president-responds-to-recent-uptick-of-covid-19-cases-in-state-prisons\/","url_meta":{"origin":25417,"position":3},"title":"NYS\/NYSCOPBA President responds to recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in state prisons","author":"aka","date":"October 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Union calls for suspension of inmate visits For Immediate Release October 14, 2020 Albany, NY \u2013\u00a0NYSCOPBA is calling for the immediate suspension of inmate visitation at correctional facilities that have seen a recent uptick in positive COVID-19 cases among in the inmate population.\u00a0Recently, Elmira Correctional Facility saw an uptick in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NYS"","block_context":{"text":"NYS","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/nys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/NYSCOPA.png?fit=353%2C285&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":53083,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/05\/12\/nys-nyscopba-calls-for-changes-to-halt-act-amid-historic-levels-of-violence\/","url_meta":{"origin":25417,"position":4},"title":"NYS\/NYSCOPBA Calls for changes to HALT Act amid historic levels of violence","author":"aka","date":"May 12, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Overall Violence in Prison Continues to Surge in 2nd\u00a0Year of HALT Act Union Renews Call to Improve Safety into New York\u2019s Prisons and County Jails by Amending the HALT Act Press release Albany, NY\u00a0\u2013 A year after the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc. 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Powers and the Executive Board have called on DOCCS \u00a0and OMH to immediately suspend inmate and inmate patient visits amid the on-going COVID-19 crisis in New York and across the country.\u00a0 Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency on Saturday and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NYS"","block_context":{"text":"NYS","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/nys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/NYSCOPA.png?fit=353%2C285&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/NYSCOPA.png?fit=353%2C285&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25417","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25417"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25417\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25418,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25417\/revisions\/25418"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25417"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}