New York prisons remain short 4,600 correction officers nearly a year after an illegal strike rocked the system, according to Spectrum News 1.
Corrections Commissioner Dan Martuscello told lawmakers the staffing gap hasn’t improved much since the strike left more than 4,000 vacancies. He pointed to a 155% jump in exam takers and a 43% rise in academy graduates, but 2,700 National Guard members still staff facilities at a cost topping $500 million this fiscal year.
Lawmakers also revisited criminal justice policies, including discovery reforms and Raise the Age funding. State leaders say they’ll review data before pushing more changes, while some legislators call for streamlined funding to get youth programs up and running faster.
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