Ë®¹ûÅÉAV

The New York Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of Prisoners' Legal Services of New York, which represents incarcerated individuals. According to the complaint, the organization "has been unable to speak securely to many of its current and prospective clients" during the strike.

DOCCS has suspended visitation at its 42 prisons in response to the strike. The lawsuit notes that this affects the ability for inmates to communicate and meet with their attorneys. 

In the complaint, the New York Civil Liberties Union alleges that DOCCS is "depriving (Prisoners' Legal Services) of its constitutional right to communicate with current and potential clients about their treatment and conditions."

"As our state prisons are teetering on disaster, DOCCS' decision to severely curtail incarcerated people's access to the courts and counsel only adds fuel to the fire," said Megan Porter, a staff attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union. 

Porter added, "DOCCS is not above the law and must fully restore people's access to the courts and counsel immediately."

A DOCCS spokesperson told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV that the agency does not comment on pending litigation. 

At its height, about 90% of the state's 13,500 correction officers and sergeants participated in the strike. Although some officers have returned to work, the strike is in its third week. 

Inmates have reported poor conditions during the strike. Facilities are on lockdown and their access to programs has been affected. 

Karen Murtagh, executive director of Prisoners' Legal Services of New York, said the minimal information they have received "depicts horrific prison conditions that have only been worsened by the strikes."

"Access to justice is a fundamental principle of the rule of law, and incarcerated people should be no exception," Murtagh said. "We urge DOCCS to restore this right without delay."