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U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, whose district includes northern Cayuga County, blamed Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Democratic-led state Legislature for "pro-criminal policies" that she says contributed to the unsafe working conditions in prisons. She also criticized the decision to activate the National Guard, saying it will "put more lives at risk."

"These dangerous working conditions are only set to get worse," Tenney, R-Cleveland, said. "Governor Hochul and (state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III) must treat COs with the respect they deserve and recognize them as the essential workers they are. I stand with our courageous correctional officers." 

Cayuga County's state Assembly delegation is also backing officers as their strike enters its third day.Ìý

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, who represents the towns of Ira, Sterling and Victory, called on the Hochul administration to address the concerns raised by officers.Ìý

"This is a crisis," Barclay, R-Pulaski, said. "The significant problems facing the men and women staffing our state prisons didn't happen overnight. The warning signs have been evident for years and during that time their pleas have been ignored." 

Barclay highlighted the issues facing correction officers, from prison closures to staffing shortages. Prison violence has also increased, with assaults on staff at a record level in 2024.Ìý

Striking officers have provided a list of demands to DOCCS, which responded that many of the requests would require legislative action or violate the contract that was ratified last year. One of the demands is for the state to repeal a solitary confinement reform law, known as HALT, that Republican legislators and officers blame for the spike in violence.Ìý

Assemblyman John Lemondes' district includes the city of Auburn and Auburn Correctional Facility. In a statement, he said officers "have been pushed to their breaking point" by Hochul and Democratic state legislators.Ìý

"Ever since the implementation of these disastrous criminal justice reforms like the HALT Act, our correctional officers have been walking into a war zone every day without any support from this administration," Lemondes, R-LaFayette, said. "Gov. Hochul caused this. She should be ashamed of herself for allowing this crisis to get so out of control, and it's her job to fix it." 

Hochul urged correction officers to return to work Wednesday. She has activated more than 3,500 National Guard members to provide security at state prisons affected by the strike.Ìý

The state has also taken legal action against the striking officers. A judge has ordered the correction officers to return to work. State law prohibits public employee strikes.Ìý

Despite the judge's order, the strike will continue.Ìý

Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan on Wednesday visited correction officers on strike at Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia, which is in his district. The officers, he said, have dealt with increased violence, overtime mandates and staffing shortages.Ìý

"Enough is enough, the governor needs to wake up and protect our state employees," Gallahan, R-Manchester, said.Ìý