Following an incident at Collins Correctional Facility where inmates seized control of three housing units and assaulted correctional officers, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to deploy the National Guard to bolster security at state prisons. This action comes in response to reported staffing shortages and a subsequent work stoppage by some corrections officers. The governor emphasized the need to protect correctional staff, inmates, and surrounding communities. Over the past year, numerous guards at the facility have been injured in altercations with inmates.

Governor Hochul has directed the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Commissioner, Daniel Martuscello, and other officials to engage with union leaders to resolve the work stoppage, which she deemed unlawful and a public safety risk. She warned of disciplinary measures if the situation isn't rectified. Hochul’s legal team is prepared to pursue legal avenues, including invoking the Taylor Law, to compel employees back to work.

Commissioner Martuscello echoed the Governor’s concerns, stating that the work stoppage is severely impacting prison operations and endangering staff. While acknowledging the importance of dialogue with the union, he stressed the urgency of ending the work stoppage. He reiterated the DOCCS’s ongoing efforts to improve safety and increase staffing levels.

In March 2024, a collective bargaining agreement between the state and the correctional officers' union was reached, which included significant improvements in pay, hazardous duty compensation, and parental leave benefits. Despite these improvements, the current situation underscores the ongoing challenges within the correctional system.