Several counties in New York are pushing back against Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent decision to fire around 2,000 correctional officers and ban them from ever working for the state again. This move came after the officers went on strike, protesting unsafe conditions in the state’s understaffed prisons.
The day after the firings, Hochul signed an executive order that has drawn significant criticism. It prohibits the fired officers from being hired by any state or county government. In response, officials in Chemung, Oneida, and Rensselaer Counties have announced plans to defy this order or legally challenge it.
Chemung County has taken the lead by filing a lawsuit, claiming Hochul’s order is unlawful. Sheriff William Schrom emphasized the need to maintain experienced personnel in their jails and described the governor’s action as an unconstitutional overreach.
Oneida County’s Board of Legislators has also approved a resolution to sue the state, with County Executive Anthony Picente stating that Hochul has overstepped her authority. He criticized the executive order as an infringement on the county’s right to govern itself.
Rensselaer County’s Executive, Steve McLaughlin, has made it clear that he intends to ignore the order entirely. He called the governor’s decision "reprehensible and vicious," asserting that he will hire as many of the fired officers as he can, challenging Hochul to take legal action against him.
Hochul’s decision to fire the officers has raised concerns about the already critical staffing shortages in New York’s prison system. Before the strike began, there were approximately 2,000 vacant positions. To fill the gap, the governor has deployed National Guard members, who lack proper training for the job, to help manage the prisons. This move has been controversial, with reports of guards sleeping on gym floors under poor conditions.
State Senator Daniel Stec highlighted the risks for these guards, noting that they could be ineligible for Veterans Affairs care if injured, as they were activated under state orders.
The situation remains tense as counties assert their rights against the state’s executive order, raising questions about the future of staffing in New York’s correctional facilities.