This morning, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) joined in solidarity with hundreds of correction officers in West Capitol Park at a rally to advocate for needed reforms and new funding that would promote public safety and help make New York State prisons less dangerous for inmates and correction officers.

“Correction officers are brave men and women who are on the front lines of public safety. When they leave for work every day, their families should be confident that the state is providing the needed resources to make their jobs as safe as possible. That is not the case, and it is totally unacceptable,” said Palmesano.

Palmesano pointed to a disturbing trend of increasing assault rates that coincide with the governor’s decision to close prisons and concentrate the state’s prison population into fewer facilities. The governor has closed thirteen correctional facilities.

Over-crowding, budgetary and staffing cuts and dangerous double-bunking and double-celling policies have put correction officers at risk. There were 760 assaults on correction officers last year, a 45 percent increase over 2012.

Palmesano wants to see those policies reversed and see funding and staffing levels increase.

“The state is consistently taking enforcement tools away from correction officers even as their jobs become more dangerous. It seems like the dialogue surrounding criminal justice in New York State is constantly focused on doing what is right for criminals. What about the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to keep our families safe? They deserve our support. They deserve safe working conditions,” said Palmesano.

Palmesano serves on the New York State Assembly Committee on Corrections.

“These men and women deserve our respect. They’ve earned it by working tirelessly to keep our families safe,” said Palmesano.