GOWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has confirmed that inmates are being transferred out of Collins Correctional Facility due to staffing shortages caused by the corrections officer's strike.
NYS DOCCS issued the following statement Monday night:
"The ongoing illegal actions of certain COs who refuse to show up to work are putting the safety and well-being of New Yorkers at risk. Due to staffing shortages caused by these illegal actions, the Department is in the process of transferring incarcerated individuals from Collins Correctional Facility to other prisons to ensure appropriate use of staff resources."
Corrections officers across the state have been on strike since February 17 over what they claim are unsafe working conditions inside state prisons. Many officers have risked their jobs, pay and health insurance to see their demands met. At the top of those demands is the suspension of the HALT Act, which limits the use of solitary confinement in state prisons.
As the strike continues, you can follow our live blog on our website here for updates.
Independent mediator Martin Scheinman, of Scheinman Arbitration and Mediation Services, has been retained to help bring an end to the strike. The first mediation meeting was held on Monday between representatives from the state and NYSCOPBA, the union representing the officers.
Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul is seeking approval to close five additional prisons with 90-day notice.
As the future of correctional facilities across the state remains uncertain, local businesses that depend on corrections officers for daily revenue are bracing for potential losses
Capozzi's Pizzeria, a family-owned restaurant that has served the Gowanda community for four decades, is already feeling the impact. Gracie Eddy, an employee at the shop and the daughter of a striking CO said the situation has been difficult for her family.
"I think everyone is taking it pretty hard because he's at risk of losing his job and we don't know what would happen after this," Eddy said.
While she has been occupied with school, she said her mother has felt the most stress.
Capozzi's night manager, Indigo Vantino, described the town as a "ghost town." He said if Collins Correctional Facility was one of the five prisons Hochul wanted to close it would be devastating.
"They'll get big orders, they'll order 10-20 sheet pizzas to feed all of the COs every once in a while," Vantino explained. "We already lost Gowanda, and they had big orders."
Gowanda Correctional Facility closed in March 2021 and left a lasting economic impact, particularly on local restaurants that relied on corrections officers as steady customers.
Sarah Shull, the store manager at Tim and Bonnie's Pizza, estimated that 60-65% of their customer base comes from corrections officers who work at Collins.
"With Collins being open, we deliver to them numerous times throughout the day, whether it's just a salad or big orders," she said. "We go there about six to seven times a day."
While the strike has disrupted daily routines and raised concerns about job security, community support for the corrections officers remains strong.
"We get calls in every single day—people just trying to donate whatever they can," Vantino said. "Food, hand warmers, all kinds of stuff for us to send up to them. We have a list of donations that people are just calling in and donating money. Every day, we send them more food."
Monday was the eighth day of the strike for corrections officers and I attempted to speak with corrections officers who were striking outside of Collins. The ones who spoke with me said if Collins Correctional Facility was one of the five prisons Hochul wanted to close it would devastate Collins and Gowanda.
