The Dangers New York Corrections Officers Face on the Job

New York’s prison system is facing a crisis. Inmates are assaulting staff at alarming rates, officers are overworked and understaffed, and recent prison closures have only worsened conditions. Frustrated corrections officers at multiple facilities have reached a breaking point. They staged work stoppages to protest their dangerous working conditions and resulting workplace injuries. These protests highlight a growing concern: New York’s prison officers are risking their lives every day with little support from the state.

How common are assaults on New York corrections officers?

According to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), staff assaults reached 2,070 in 2024, the highest in years. Unfortunately, the violence shows no sign of slowing. By early 2025, 160 more attacks had already been recorded. Most of these assaults occurred in maximum-security prisons, where officers handle some of the most violent and dangerous inmates.

The violence isn’t just limited to attacks on officers. Inmate-on-inmate assaults more than doubled between 2020 and 2024. Already, 249 fights among incarcerated individuals have been reported in 2025. One recent incident at Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County left three officers injured and forced the prison into lockdown. The violence at Collins is just one example of what officers face daily across the state.

The mounting assaults have left corrections officers fearing for their safety. The data proves their concerns are justified: since November 2024, 630 attacks on staff caused minor injuries, 48 resulted in moderate injuries, and 11 left officers with serious injuries. Yet despite these statistics, state officials have done little to address the crisis.

Understaffing and mandatory OT impact officer safety

New York’s prisons are dangerously understaffed, making an already hazardous job more dangerous. DOCCS officials say they have “critical vacancies” throughout the system, particularly for correction officers. A February memo from Commissioner Martuscello acknowledged that “70% of our original staffing model is the new 100%.” In other words, prisons are operating with significantly fewer officers than they should, yet the state expects them to function as if fully staffed.

The numbers paint a bleak picture. In 1999, New York had over 21,000 corrections officers. By the end of 2024, that number had dropped to just 14,095. That’s a 37% decrease. While the state’s inmate population also declined by 54% over the same period, the drop in staffing has left prisons struggling to maintain order.

To compensate, the state has forced officers to work excessive overtime. Officers are exhausted, overworked, and more vulnerable to attacks because they often handle more inmates with fewer colleagues to back them up. The forced overtime has led to low morale and high burnout rates.

This growing discontent triggered the recent work stoppages at Collins and Elmira Correctional Facilities. Officers refused to enter for their shifts due to the dangerous and unsustainable working conditions. Though the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) denied sanctioning the protests, they acknowledged that officers had reached their limit.

How have lawmakers and unions reacted?

State officials quickly condemned the work stoppages. DOCCS spokesman Thomas Mailey called the protests “illegal and unlawful” and warned that officers could face consequences for participating. Officials also canceled visitation at both facilities since the state wouldn’t tolerate disruptions.

Despite the pushback, some lawmakers are supporting the officers’ cause. State Sen. George Borrello (R-Jamestown) slammed the state’s handling of prison safety, calling it a “crisis point.” He blamed the governor and legislature for failing to protect officers. He also stated that they were more focused on “pro-criminal policies” than ensuring prisons remained secure.

While state leaders insist they’re working to address the problem, officers remain skeptical. The contract between NYSCOPBA and the state, negotiated under Gov. Kathy Hochul, runs through 2026, but officers say the agreement does little to fix the dangerous work environment.

What are the consequences of state prison closures in New York?

New York has aggressively closed prisons in recent years, but these closures have created more problems than they solved. Since 2011, the state has shut down 26 correctional facilities, eliminating over 15,000 prison beds. State officials justified these closures by pointing to the declining prison population and $492 million in annual savings.

But fewer prisons mean fewer officers, more overcrowding in remaining facilities, and increased violence. The state cut staff faster than the inmate population dropped, which has left many prisons struggling to operate safely. Officers argue that these cost-saving measures have put their lives at risk.

Last year, the state shut down two more prisons, which sparked outrage among the corrections union. Lawmakers also paved the way for up to five additional closures, which worsened the staffing shortage. With fewer officers spread thinner across the system, the risk of violent incidents against New York corrections officers only continues to rise.

Our attorneys fight for injured New York corrections officers

If you were injured on the job as a corrections officer, you deserve experienced legal representation to help you secure the workers’ compensation benefits you’re entitled to. The New York workers’ compensation lawyers at Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP have seen the devastation correctional officers go through after suffering an injury on the job, and we are here to help.

To learn more about your potential legal options, contact us online or call one of our New York law offices today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and provide the strong legal support you need to move forward.

“Great lawyers who always handle any concerns that may arise w/case. Highly recommended for victories.” – K.S., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐