(June 2015) Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney (R,C-New Hartford) is pleased that the Department of Correction and Community Supervision has been authorized to hire more than 100 additional correctional officers. Tenney said the increase in officers will help reduce the violence that spiked in prisons in recent years.
“First and foremost, I am concerned for the safety of those working in our prison systems who put their lives at risk to keep our communities safe,” said Tenney. “Prison violence is on the rise, and I applaud the announcement that more officers will be hired to keep the people in our prisons safe. I have always been a supporter of our correctional officers and will continue to advocate for them and their safety.”
The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (NYSCOPBA) said that violence on officers has increased by more than 50 percent over the past several years. Inmate on inmate violence has increased by more than 60 percent. In total, 103 new officers will be hired and will be placed at facilities that have completed a security staffing review during the 2014-15 fiscal year.