NEW YORK — The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association is hoping to get some attention with a new highway billboard.
The board, situated on Route 490, says “We support our state. When will they support us?”
NYSCOPBA Vice President Mike Dildine says the board is an attempt to bring awareness to what’s going on in the prison system in New York State, as reported by WHEC.
The Department of Corrections is being accused of ignoring NYSCOPBA concerns about inadequate staffing, prison contraband and the rise of inmate attacks on its officers.
Last year alone, 747 correctional officers in New York State were assaulted by inmates.
Since 2010, the state has closed 15 facilities. Those closures lead to the reclassification of inmates, putting ones with violent histories into medium-security prisons.
Sen. Patrick Gallivan said legislature approved an additional 250 correctional officer positions, but he administration has yet to fill them.
The DOC did not respond to requests for comment.