March 15, 2025
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) joined Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown), Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski) and members of the Assembly Republican Conference in sending a letter to Gov. Hochul urging her to issue a stay on termination notices sent to more than 2,000 correctional officers (COs). The letter is signed by every single member of the Assembly Republican Conference. Palmesano and his colleagues are asking the governor for some understanding and leniency towards our brave COs as they return to a very dangerous and risky job.
In the letter, Palmesano and his colleagues say: “With our shared goal of public safety for all, and to protect our CO employment numbers from further decline, we ask that your administration issue a 48-hour stay on the termination notices recently distributed to more than 2,000 employees within the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). This brief reprieve would allow COs another opportunity to return to work and protect others who may have missed the 6:45 a.m. deadline by mere minutes. This step would serve as a significant demonstration of compassion and commitment to the dedicated members of our workforce. However, this brief reprieve would not alter the outcome if someone does not return within that specified timeframe.”
“We already had a staffing and safety crisis inside our correctional facilities because of failed and dangerous policies. We had a staffing shortage of more than 2,200 correctional officers before the protests took place, and we were at the tipping point as the violence continued to spike inside. The fact of the matter is that the termination of more than 2,000 COs is not only insulting and disrespectful but also further exacerbates the danger within our prisons. This will unfortunately lead to even more mandated overtime shifts and a decrease in staffing levels, making everyone less safe, inmates and COs alike. We are simply asking the governor to have some compassion and understanding for what these dedicated individuals go through at work every single day and rescind her termination notice to allow those who wish to return to work the opportunity to do so,” said Palmesano.
