Senator Rath Statement on Challenges Facing Corrections Officers

(Collins, NY) Today, New York State Senator Edward Rath met with staff and toured Collins Correctional Facility.  As the debate over criminal justice policy continues, Senator Rath wanted to meet with and hear directly from correction officers and employees on the frontlines in our prisons every day.  Following his tour, Senator Rath released the following statement, 
 
“Thank you to Collins Correctional Facility, its dedicated corrections officers, and all of the hardworking men and women who work to keep our communities safe and allow our criminal justice system to function. Under extremely challenging situations, these brave professionals put their lives in danger every day.  The experience I had today was extremely informative and educational.”  Senator Rath continued, “I was extremely disappointed to see the Governor announce prison closures with little clarity regarding the plan to support the communities, transition employees, or how inmate services would be impacted.  Equally frustrating is the ongoing lack of real support for our corrections officers and their families. The state must ensure our correctional facilities have the proper resources to protect staff and deliver critical services to incarcerated individuals.”