Allegations of Federal Law Violations
Upstate New York Representative Elise Stefanik is taking aim at Governor Kathy Hochul, urging federal authorities to investigate the governor’s response to a massive illegal prison strike that threw New York’s correctional facilities into disarray earlier this year. The Republican, who’s teased a 2026 run for governor, alleges Hochul’s administration mishandled the crisis by wrongfully terminating corrections officers in a sweeping crackdown.
In a letter shared exclusively with the New York Post, sent to Hochul and U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Stefanik claims the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) broke federal law by firing striking officers en masse, including some who were on approved leave.
“These actions represent yet another example of illegal conduct by Governor Hochul and her administration, which has shown a marked hostility toward law enforcement,” Stefanik wrote.
Stefanik also pointed to a mysterious “no call list” allegedly used by DOCCS to block at least 200 former officers from being rehired, with no clear explanation.
“No justification or legitimate reasons have been provided for the existence of this list,” she stated, suggesting the terminations may violate the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.
Hochul’s Office and DOCCS Push Back
Hochul’s office and DOCCS fired back, denying any such list exists. A governor’s office spokesperson said, “Unlike Congresswoman Stefanik, Governor Hochul does not condone breaking the law. Corrections officers who chose to participate in the illegal work stoppage earlier this year willingly put both the incarcerated population and their colleagues who remained on the job at risk.”
A DOCCS spokesperson added that the department isn’t actively recruiting fired officers but noted that union members who feel wrongfully terminated can file grievances via their collective bargaining agreement.
“This Administration follows the law and will do so if grievances are filed, but the Governor’s commitment to reforming our correctional system is steadfast,” Hochul’s office emphasized.
Fallout from the Strike
The nearly month-long wildcat strike ended with Hochul dismissing about 2,000 corrections officers who refused to come back from picket lines. Initially, the governor vowed never to rehire those who walked off, though she later went back on that promise.
DOCCS also cut medical benefits for absent officers, including some on approved leave, fueling further outrage.
New York’s prison system remains critically understaffed, with DOCCS reporting a shortfall of nearly 5,000 workers.
Since the strike, nearly 2,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to shore up the struggling facilities, despite efforts to recruit more.
Stay tuned to the Fairview Gazette.
