New York has no one to blame but itself in regard to the strikes that are taking place in Collins, Brocton and other incarceration facilities across the state. On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would call in the National Guard today if worker actions continue.

Corrections officers on strike carried a list of more than a dozen demands. First among them is the reversal of the HALT Act, which has limited the ability for officers to use disciplinary actions against incarcerated individuals. Second on the list of demands is the elimination of 30% staffing reductions.

Most officers say they are being overworked due to lack of staffing. That is adding to what is becoming a dangerous job.

“It is clear, with the number of incidents of unresponsive inmates in prisons across the state, dangerous drugs like synthetic marijuana (K2) and Fentanyl are still getting into the prisons at an alarming rate. Contraband seized in 2024 numbered 4,739, a 55% increase from 2022, despite having a secure vendor program that was supposed to reduce drugs and weapons from getting into the facility,” said Chris Summers, New York State Corrections Officer and Police Benevolent Association president. “That makes it extremely dangerous for staff who must interact with inmates daily and immediately respond to medical emergencies with no knowledge of the type of drugs they are encountering.”

Last week’s events at Collins resonated with officers around New York. It never needed to come down to this.