Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) strongly supports the correction officers at the Five Points and Willard Correctional Facilities who are conducting an “informational picket” at 2202 NY 96, Ovid NY 14521 next to the Fastrac and McDonalds to raise awareness of deteriorating conditions within their facilities and prisons statewide.

Palmesano said, “The environment within our state prisons is becoming dangerous and increasingly explosive, and our correction officers are at risk. Prison violence is increasing on a daily basis. Staffing shortages, budget reductions, increased assaults on staff, increased contraband and highly-dubious policy decisions, including the settlement to restrict the use of special housing units even for the most brutal, violent felons imaginable, are all factors contributing to the increased violence and unsafe working conditions. It doesn’t make sense. It’s made a difficult, dangerous job less safe. I commend the correction officers at Willard and Five Points for their efforts today to raise awareness of their personal safety concerns, of the security of the prisons statewide, and the need to provide correction officers with the absolute best training, technology and tools to combat this rising surge of violence, including policies and procedures to encourage good behavior. I am proud to represent a large number of correction officers and their families. I greatly respect the job they do, their dedicated service and commitment to public safety, and I will stand firmly behind them in every effort to achieve a more secure prison environment.”