Good News, Please Read to the End.

On October 17, 2017, the New York State Commission of Correction (SCOC) filed with the State, a Notice of Proposed Changes to State Minimum Standards.  These changes would effect Disciplinary Confinement of Inmates and any deprivation of privileges.  

In these new proposed rules to Inmate Discipline, inmates who commit infractions of any kind from simple contraband to violent assaults would be allowed out of their cells for 4 hours per day instead of 2 hours. This doesn't include recreation which would be an additional hour. Minors and pregnant females would be allowed 2 hours of Rec per day on top of the four hour minimum.  

Because of these proposed changes to the Minimum Standards, I reached out to the Presidents of Suffolk, Westchester and City Corrections in an effort to form a Correction Coalition to combat these type of global issues that endanger both our Officers and the inmate population as well. Inmates who commit violent acts would fear no discipline or punishment for their actions.

The Presidents of all the Unions I listed above including Westchester and NY City Superior Officers Unions met in our office in East Meadow and mutually agreed to form a Correction Coalition. We also brought in Robert Ungar our Lobbyist to assist us legislatively in Albany.  

Within the last month, we in the Coalition met respectively with NYS Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Independent Democratic Caucus Leader Sen. Jeff Klein, voicing our opposition to this issue and asking for their assistance. Subsequently both Senators reached out to the SCOC and the Governor's Office asking them to refrain from implementing these guidelines until we in Corrections can have input and have our concerns heard.                                                      ------------------------------

I am happy to report some good news.

Yesterday, we received a call from Sen. Klein advising us of the following:

Senators Klein and Flanagan both met personally with Gov. Cuomo and his legal counsel specifically regarding the SCOC's proposed Guideline changes.

They emphasized OUR concerns to the Governor, keying in on the dangers these proposals posed to our Officers and the inmates who would undoubtedly be preyed upon by violent offenders who would be allowed out of their cells for much more time each day after committing various and violent acts in jail. Obviously, any issue that places inmates in greater danger, also places our Officers at increased risk.  

Sen. Klein was happy to report that Gov. Cuomo understood our concerns and agreed with the argument. He understood the possible dangers we stressed and as such he directed the SCOC to cease implementation of any new guideline changes whatsoever until further notice.  

No mention was made yet of how and when any future discussion would progress on the issue. The Governor simply told the SCOC to pull the guideline proposals and don't plan on implementation anytime soon.

Finally some good news! Our voice was heard on this issue. Although I'm not happy with many things Governor Cuomo spoke of at his State of the State Address yesterday with regard to Corrections, Jails and Bail reform.  

I credit the Governor's action on this issue directly to our newly formed coalition. It was a great job done by everyone involved, including Bob Ungar who set the meetings with Senators Flanagan and Klein and kept the issue in the forefront of their agendas.

I'll keep you updated on this and any other developments that may arise.  

This is a perfect example of the old saying:

"Where there is Unity there is Strength".

Happy New Year again to you all;