DOCCS updates legal visitation, extends cancellation of prisoner intake through end of month
Mar 17, 2025
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) -- The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) announced Monday on its social media pages the rollout of legal visitation reopening at some state prisons. This comes following the announcement one week ago from DOCCS that the illegal prison g
uard strikes were over after reaching a fresh deal with the union representing guards, New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOBPA).
During the announcement of the strike ending, DOCCS Commissioner, Dan Martuscello, noted that more than 2,000 correction officers were being issued termination letters, thus, compounding an already severely understaffed sector. On Monday, a DOCCS spokesperson confirmed to News 8 the agency informed county jails officials are extending the cancellation of intakes through Monday, March 31st "…and we'll reevaluate as we continue to restore operations at our facilities."
News 8 checked in with local sheriff offices in our region to learn about the current impact this is having on county jails: Ontario County has one incarcerated person awaiting transfer, Wayne County has 10 individuals, and the greatest impact is the Monroe County jail with 82 inmates awaiting transfer to state facilities.
During the strike, which was not sanctioned by NYSCOBPA, Governor Kathy Hochul ordered National Guard members to step in to help offset the impacts of thousands of COs protesting working conditions, including 24-hour mandatory overtime shifts (something the new agreement reads as "minimizing and working towards eliminating 24-hour mandatory overtime"). Following the announcement of the strike ending, Hochul issued an Executive Order barring COs who remained on the picket lines from obtaining any other state job.
On February 20, three days after the illegal strikes began, DOCCS announced visitation is canceled at all facilities until further notice. As of Monday, March 17th, 30 of the state prisons are open to visitation once again, some of which include Attica, Groveland, and Wyoming. Nine other facilities will have legal visitation reopening within the next 1 -2 weeks. Three locations, Bare Hill, Sing Sing, and Upstate are listed as 'indeterminate' for any legal visits at this point and time. ...read more read less
