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February 21, 2025

Anna Murray 

In order to protect dozens of state prisons, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on February 19 deploying over 3,500 soldiers of the New York Army National Guard. 

Nearly two dozen state jails in New York are experiencing a strike by correctional staff. They are protesting benefits provided to employees, escalating violence within the institution, and working conditions. The cancellation of all visits to prisons across the state was announced on February 20 by the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. 

National Guard personnel will maintain general order in New York jails and provide inmates with food and medication. State officials will continue to assess the situation to determine how many more National Guard personnel are needed.