PEF President warns of safety issues related to DOCS cuts

ALBANY, NY (03/24/2010)(readMedia)-- The President of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) testified before the Senate Task Force on Government Efficiency on spending at the Department of Correctional Services (DOCS). Kenneth Brynien presented his testimony today, one day after speaking at a rally on proposed DOCS closures.

"The Department of Corrections has taken a meat-cleaver approach to achieve savings needed as a result of the state's financial crisis, while ignoring the long-term savings that can be achieved by appropriately staffing program areas," Brynien said.

Inmates earning a high school degree or successfully completing a substance abuse program in prison have significantly lower recidivism rates than inmates who do not complete these programs. Yet program staff was reduced by 140 positions during the current fiscal year. More than 30 percent of DOCS's authorized program and health service positions are vacant.

"A 5 percent reduction in the recidivism rate could reduce the number of inmates returned to prison by 1,400, saving taxpayers $42 million," Brynien said.

DOCS also is wasteful in the amount it spends on overtime to provide nursing care to inmates. According to the state Department of Labor, DOCS is the worst offender under the new law restricting mandatory overtime for nurses. Currently, DOCS has 139 nursing vacancies.

"We strongly recommend DOCS maintain and improve staffing in educational health care and drug-treatment programs, and reduce its management ranks, instead. It will do no good for the safety of our communities or for the long-term cost of corrections if we increase the long-term odds of recidivism in exchange for a short-term savings," Brynien said.

On Tuesday, March 23, Brynien spoke at a rally outside the Capitol in support of keeping open North Country correctional facilities, including Ogdensburg medium-security prison, Lyon Mountain and Butler minimum- secure prisons and the Moriah Shock Incarceration facility.

"Closing these facilities has the potential to increase recidivism, put public safety at risk and reduce the state's ability to prepare inmates to safely return to our communities," Brynien said.

PEF is the states second-largest state-employee union representing 58,000 professional, scientific and technical employees, including 4,500 at DOCS.