New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard “Gerry” Kassar spoke to the South Shore Press about statewide strikes in prisons across the Empire State. Here is the conversation with Chairman Kassar and South Shore Press News Director Stefan Mychajliw.
Mychajliw: “There are massive strikes going on in prisons across New York State. Friends of mine, people I know, family practically, who are stuck inside a prison. They haven't been out since Monday. They feel like an inmate. So what are your thoughts on what's happening with these strikes all across New York?”
Kassar: The State of New York and the DOCCS Commissioner have completely failed at their responsibilities. Those Correctional Officers, they’re understaffed. They have a number of laws like the Halt Law working against them, creating very dangerous environments.
These are convicted murderers, rapists, extraordinarily violent people. They are not receiving support from the administration in terms of staffing, in terms of moral support, in terms of laws that would allow them to get a better order in these prisons.
So eventually you're going to say to yourself, well this isn't about my salary, this is about whether I get to go home at night. We need this resolved as soon as possible. She (Governor Hochul) uses the National Guard like a sword. She’s gonna have to wake up and understand, they're there for hurricanes and storms and civil unrest in your communities and going overseas as an active military unit.
They are not supposed to be replacing prison guards. They are not happy standing outside, but they know they have no choice.”
Mychajliw: “Because isn't it literally risking the lives not only of corrections officers, but also now, as you mentioned, those members of the National Guard who are not specifically trained to corral and take care of inmates inside a prison.”
Kassar: “That is 100 % correct. The National Guard shouldn't have been down here on the New York City subways and they shouldn't be inside prisons. That is not what they do. That is not how they are trained. They are a military force that has the civil ability to go in with their equipment during bad weather and storms and all sorts of crises. This is not one of them.
Just settle the thing. They just want the respect from the state and obviously the resources from the state so that they can properly do their jobs. She's not a leader, Stefan. She's just not a leader.
Mychajliw: “God bless these Corrections Officers because they literally don't know if they're going home at night every single day on their shift. Is there this backwards philosophy from the radical left, from Governor Hochul,where this powder keg exploded of strikes because their policies have favored inmates over law enforcement.”
Kassar: “Yes! Their policies have allowed the prisoners to be the victims. And that makes no sense whatsoever. New York State is a first class failure.”