Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is demanding answers from Governor Kathy Hochul over the fallout of this year’s statewide prison strike, accusing the governor of ignoring repeated warnings from correctional officers and letting the crisis spiral.
In a Wednesday statement, Stefanik said Hochul “turned her back” on law enforcement and allowed unrest to “wreak havoc,” pointing to a post-strike report by the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA). The union alleges that state leaders, including Hochul, were shown evidence of rising tensions as early as February but failed to act.
Strikes began February 17, 2025, disrupting operations in prisons across New York. Stefanik said the walkouts triggered mass firings—around 2,000 correction officers—and forced the state to spend an estimated $100 million per month covering staffing shortages. She also faulted Hochul for deploying New York National Guard troops to fill the gaps, claiming they entered facilities with “no training.”
State pushes back on ‘no training’ claim
A spokesperson for Hochul disputed Stefanik’s characterization, saying National Guard members did receive preparation before deployment…