In a shocking act of vandalism, two New York state prison buses were targeted in Cayuga County last Wednesday, further escalating tensions within the state’s troubled prison system. According to officials, one bus was set on fire, while another was spray-painted with the chilling message: “Now you’ll hear us.”
The incident occurred in the parking lot of an auto repair shop in the village of Cato, according to Thomas Mailey, a spokesperson for the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. While authorities have yet to identify suspects, the attack comes at a time of unprecedented unrest in New York’s prison system.
The vandalism follows the indictment of ten correctional officers for the brutal December beating and murder of inmate Robert L. Brooks at a Utica-area prison. In response, many correctional officers have staged an illegal wildcat strike, defying a judge’s order to return to work. The ongoing strike has forced the state to deploy thousands of National Guard personnel to prisons across New York.
At the heart of the officers’ frustration is the HALT Act, a controversial law limiting the use of solitary confinement. Union leaders have demanded its reversal, citing increased violence and deteriorating conditions inside prisons.
With correctional staff stretched thin and emotions running high, a critical mediation session is scheduled for Monday. Long Island-based mediator Martin Scheinman, known for resolving high-profile labor disputes, is set to meet with the corrections department and the officers’ union in an attempt to de-escalate the crisis.
As the investigation into the bus vandalism unfolds, officials remain on high alert, fearing further acts of protest or retaliation. Could this be the start of an even bigger showdown between prison staff and state authorities? Stay tuned for further updates on this rapidly developing situation.
