The Local Edition

More than 2,000 New York State correction officers have been terminated in the wake of an unprecedented wildcat strike that paralyzed the state’s prison system for weeks. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that her administration is “ready to move on” as the state scrambles to hire new officers to fill the vacancies left by those who walked off the job.

The strike, which began on February 17, 2025, saw over 4,000 correction officers from 38 of New York’s 42 correctional facilities walk off their posts in protest of what they describe as increasingly dangerous working conditions. 

The unsanctioned work stoppage, not backed by their union, has cost the state over $100 million so far and prompted the deployment of 7,000 National Guard troops to keep prisons operational.

Governor Hochul has signed an executive order barring any correction officer who participated in the strike from future employment with the state. 

She is also recommending that those officers be removed from the Central Registry of Police and Peace Officers, effectively preventing them from working as police or peace officers in state and local jurisdictions.

Under Strain

Retired correction officer Dave Cornish, who spent years at Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County, has been outspoken in his support for the strikers. Cornish described conditions in New York’s prisons as “hell on earth,” pointing to skyrocketing inmate-on-staff assaults—up 222 percent at Woodbourne over the past three years, and 147 percent statewide.

Cornish and others argue that the 2021 HALT Solitary Confinement Act, which limited the use of long-term isolation in prisons, has made maintaining order nearly impossible. Under a mediated agreement between the state and the corrections officers’ union, solitary confinement was reinstated to a limited degree. But many officers say it doesn’t go far enough.

“We created a hell in our country,” Cornish said. “And when these people came out and said, ‘Hey, we understand that we’re in hell, but this is beyond what we can take,’ you have to pay attention to that.”

Invisible Threats: Chemical Exposure and “Wasping”

The risks inside New York’s prisons, officers say, aren’t limited to physical violence. Cornish described instances where staff at Woodbourne Correctional Facility were exposed to dangerous chemicals believed to be synthetic drugs made from insecticides—a practice known as “wasping.”

“Woodbourne had 27, 28 people go out from exposure to this chemical,” Cornish said. “People were Narcaned. And the state’s response? They told us it was exhaustion or in our heads.”

The drug, reportedly created by crystallizing wasp spray and smoked as a cheaper alternative to methamphetamine, has caused paranoia, aggression, and overdoses. 

The symptoms don’t show up on standard drug tests, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. Some correction officers, Cornish claims, are still suffering neurological effects weeks after exposure.

National Guard troops deployed to prisons have also reported symptoms consistent with chemical exposure, according to Cornish and other sources.

Lawmakers Respond

The crisis has caught the attention of local lawmakers. Assemblymember Paula Kay, who represents New York’s 100th District, told Radio Catskill her office is working with the Department of Corrections to temporarily halt incoming mail to prisons in an effort to prevent the drugs from being smuggled inside. 

However, as of this week, no further updates have been provided.

A System at a Breaking Point

Despite the state’s efforts to move forward, Cornish and others warn that the crisis is far from over.

“They’re going to consolidate more, and they’re going to have these crowded facilities that are barely staffed,” he warned. “That is a recipe for an Attica situation…It’s a shame nobody listened.”

For those still inside New York’s prisons—officers and inmates alike—the question is no longer just who’s listening, but who is left to act.

Brush fires broke out in Suffolk County, Long Island over the weekend on Saturday, burning over 400 acres and closing several highways.

Citing dry conditions and high winds, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency and burn ban for Long Island, New York, and parts of the lower Hudson Valley, including Ulster County – a week before the annual statewide burn ban is set to go into effect.

And a reminder - this is how we’re ending a dry winter that was preceded by brushfires in Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan Counties in November. 

Radio Catskill reporter Kimberly Izar spoke to John Hauschild, Sullivan County Fire Coordinator, about the recent wildfires we’ve seen in New York and nationally, as well as the upcoming statewide burn ban starting March 16. 

4th Annual Sullivan County Youth Poetry Festival, a celebration of creativity, self-expression, and the power of words! The festival, set to take place on March 29th, brings together young poets from across the county to share their voices, explore their artistry, and connect with a community that values storytelling through poetry.

\Kevin Graham, the Sullivan County Poet Laureate, shares what attendees can expect at this year’s event. From electrifying spoken word performances to heartfelt personal reflections, the festival provides a platform for youth to express themselves in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Interested in submitting your work? The deadline for submissions is March 15 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdl7LABGO4_nEA47ki3fQibOQAqKs0HfM6akKC2ezlPm2l4sA/viewform

Nearly 400 residents attended a heated public hearing on March 4 regarding proposed zoning changes in the Town of Fallsburg. The amendments, aimed at aligning local laws with federal regulations, particularly RLUIPA, have sparked concerns over increased development, environmental impact, and water supply issues. While town officials argue the changes modernize outdated zoning laws, opponents fear they create legal ambiguities and strain infrastructure. 

With legal threats looming and Sullivan County recommending a delay, the town board voted to keep the hearing open for 30 days to allow further public comment.

Ryan Kost and Willow Higgins, who recently published an in-depth investigation into Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs) in New York at NY FOCUS .

Their reporting uncovered troubling findings about how these units, meant to correct wrongful convictions, often fail the people they were created to help.

This story is a collaboration between New York Focus and Columbia Journalism Investigations, an investigative reporting unit at the Columbia Journalism School.

CIUs operate within district attorney offices and are intended to review cases where wrongful convictions may have occurred. But as Ryan and Willow’s reporting reveals, many of these units lack transparency, oversight, and effectiveness.

 Some CIUs have denied applicants’ claims, only for the courts to later exonerate them.

Sullivan County Legislator Amanda Ward, who represents District 8, shares the story of her late father, Roland "The Gator" Ward, and his lasting contributions to the county.

From his early days with the Fallsburg Police Department to his rise as a lieutenant in the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, Roland Ward made a significant impact on the community.

Amanda Ward is now advocating to honor her father's legacy by co-naming a street in Fallsburg, emphasizing the importance of recognizing individuals who have positively influenced their communities.

With Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo, she also reflects on her experiences as a proud Black woman, discusses the significance of celebrating Black history, and highlights her ongoing efforts to re-establish the Human Rights Commission in Sullivan County.

The social services commissioner says New York wants to join other states adopting more secure cards, but lacks funds for the upgrade.

A tentative deal has been reached between New York State and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) to end the ongoing prison strike that has disrupted nearly 30 facilities across the state, including Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County.

The agreement, formalized in a Consent Award, follows four days of mediation led by arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman. As part of the deal, the state will temporarily suspend certain provisions of the HALT Act—legislation designed to limit solitary confinement—that correctional officers have argued exacerbates violence and safety concerns in understaffed prisons.

Additionally, a “Circuit Breaker” Staffing Metric will be implemented on high-impact days, such as weekends, to assess staff shortages. If staffing levels fall below a critical threshold, certain prison programs, including those affected by the HALT Act, may be temporarily suspended to ensure safety.

Mediator Scheinman noted the strained relationship between NYSCOPBA and state officials, emphasizing that trust remains a major issue. To enforce the agreement, it will be filed as a court order, making non-compliance subject to legal consequences.

The strike, which state officials deemed illegal under the Taylor Law, prompted Governor Kathy Hochul to deploy the National Guard to maintain order. Local lawmakers have continued to push for a repeal of the HALT Act, arguing that it has made prisons more dangerous.

While the agreement marks a step toward resolution, NYSCOPBA leaders have yet to confirm whether members will immediately return to work, pending further discussions on long-term staffing and safety reforms.

Health Concerns for Officers

Kay believes the exposure is linked to synthetic substances being smuggled into the prison via legal mail, particularly letters to attorneys, which cannot be opened by corrections staff. “We believe it's coming in through letters,” she explained. “We've asked them to stop for a period of time what's coming into Woodbourne so that we can get a handle on this.”

In addition to the health crisis, Kay also criticized the Department of Corrections’ handling of staff shortages. “Officers have been called back to work—no matter what excuse. Family medical leave? Not an excuse. An officer who just had knee surgery? Not an excuse,” she said. Officers deemed absent without leave (AWOL) have had their dental and vision insurance cut off, a move Kay called unjust.

Kay has formally requested that Governor Hochul’s office and the Department of Corrections take immediate action to investigate the chemical exposures and halt incoming mail until the source of the contamination is identified. “I was told there would be a response. Today is Thursday… I’m waiting.”

Additional Agreement Details

According to the Gothamist, reporter Jimmy Vielkind states that a law restricting the use of solitary confinement in New York’s prisons would remain suspended for 90 days if corrections officers accept the tentative agreement.

There will be no departmental discipline for any of the thousands of corrections officers if they return to work by Saturday, according to a memo released by Governor Hochul. The agreement also includes provisions to reduce mandated overtime, increase the overtime pay rate, and temporarily hire retired corrections officers to assist in transporting incarcerated individuals.

More than 3,500 National Guard personnel who were deployed to prisons during the strike will remain on-site. The agreement states that Governor Hochul will determine the “overall support and draw down” of the deployment.

Hochul announced the terms of the tentative deal after four days of mediation between the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the union representing correctional officers.

While the union did not officially endorse the strike, spokesperson James Miller stated that they will assess how striking workers react to the deal before determining if the strike will officially end. “We have reached a consent award to address many of the concerns raised by correction officers, put DOCCS back on the path to safe operations, respect the rights of incarcerated individuals, and prevent future unsanctioned work stoppages,” Governor Hochul said in a statement.

The strike began on February 17 at two facilities before spreading to more than two dozen across the state. Officers cited increasing understaffing and dangerous conditions, blaming the 2021 HALT law for making it harder to maintain discipline.

The law, which limits the duration of solitary confinement and requires hearings before placement, had already been suspended prior to the agreement. Advocates for incarcerated individuals oppose this suspension, arguing that solitary confinement amounts to torture. Progressive lawmakers have criticized Hochul for suspending the law’s provisions, stating they have no plans to change it.

Reports indicate that conditions at Woodbourne Correctional Facility deteriorated during the strike. Incarcerated individuals lost access to telephones, hot meals, and the commissary during lockdowns. At least three incarcerated individuals have died during the strike, and investigations into these deaths are ongoing.

The strike also follows the death of Robert Brooks, an incarcerated individual at Marcy Correctional Facility, who was allegedly beaten to death by staff. Six employees have been charged with murder in connection with his death and have pleaded not guilty.

The union and state officials continue negotiations as the deadline for returning to work approaches.

The New York state prison system is teetering on disaster as guards have staged an unsanctioned wildcat strike at almost all of its 42 facilities. Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard and, on Wednesday, obtained a court order mandating that corrections officers return to work.

While striking officers have been mostly mum to the press, Assemblymember Scott Gray, who visited picket lines outside three northern New York prisons and went inside two this week, told New York Focus that they’re determined to wrest concessions from the state and from their employer, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

“The members seem to be resolved in their determination to hang tight until some sort of corrective action is taken,” he said. To facilitate negotiations, the picketers are working on paring down their original list of 13 demands, Gray said.

New York State correctional officers remain on strike, as Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered state troopers and the National Guard to intervene.

Meanwhile, inside Woodbourne Correctional Facility, inmate Atiq Weston, serving 15 years for manslaughter and robbery, shared his perspective with Radio Catskill.

Weston claims some officers are overly aggressive and violating Correction Law Section 137, which ensures humane treatment, medical care, and limits on solitary confinement. "They've been violating this law for years," Weston said. "Now they want to suspend it to avoid consequences."

He also described experiencing physical abuse. "I was beaten while in handcuffs at Upstate Correctional Facility," he stated. "If it weren’t for body cameras, cases like Robert Brooks, who was beaten to death, would go unnoticed."

Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old incarcerated man, died in custody at Marcy Correctional Facility after being  beaten by officers while restrained. His case gained attention after surveillance footage contradicted the official reports, leading to indictments against multiple correctional officers.

Weston argues that despite concerns raised by correctional officers about safety and staffing, the National Guard’s presence has led to improved conditions. "They're treating us like human beings," he said. "It's dignified, professional, and there’s more respect."

However, Weston questions the long-term solution. "The National Guard is trained for counterterrorism, not babysitting prisoners," he remarked. "They need to find a better way to staff these prisons while enforcing the law fairly."