We are in the midst of a profound crisis in our nation’s correctional system.
Across the country, our nation’s prisons are dangerously understaffed and overcrowded.
Policymakers must act now to protect the health and safety of correctional staff, incarcerated people, and the public at large.
Prisons across the country are dangerously understaffed, overcrowded, and plagued by rapidly deteriorating conditions.
One Voice United (OVU) and FAMM, two leading organizations representing correctional staff (OVU) and incarcerated people and their families (FAMM), have joined together to form the Safer Prisons, Safer Communities campaign.
For too long, our constituencies have been pitted against one another while the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, friends, and loved ones has suffered. While it may be surprising to some people that we would work together to draw attention to this crisis, we know our fates are intertwined and we have a shared goal of ensuring the health and safety of everyone who works and lives in prison.
EndorseFor too long, our constituencies have been pitted against one another while the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, friends, and loved ones has suffered. While it may be surprising to some people that we would work together to draw attention to this crisis, we know our fates are intertwined and we have a shared goal of ensuring the health and safety of everyone who works and lives in prison.
SAFER PRISONS SAFER COMMUNITIES
In The News
April 1, 2025
Staffing crisis in New York prisons leads to early releases for some incarcerated individuals
Some incarcerated individuals in New York state will be released early as prison guards continue to face a staffing crisis.
DOCCS documents report a 24.4% decline in correction officers and correction sergeant plot plan positions between the years 2000 and 2023. Since then, numbers have only continued to drop. In February, COs were told that 70% of staffing is the new 100% staffing — one of the main reasons behind the statewide wildcat strike that lasted nearly a month.
A memo was sent out Monday to prison superintendents across the state to move some incarcerated individuals into residential treatment outcount status. Those individuals would be supervised by a parole officer until their official release date.
Read ArticleApril 1, 2025
New York to release some prison inmates early over shortage of guard staff
New York state prisons will release some inmates early because the system does not have enough corrections officers, weeks after the state fired more than 2,000 guards who went on strike over poor working conditions.
Read ArticleMarch 29, 2025
Corrections officers graduate, help fill shortage at Michigan prisons
224 new officers graduated from the Michigan Department of Corrections training academy Friday.
The graduates will help the state address a shortage of corrections officers at Michigan prisons. They’ll be placed at facilities across the state to reduce current vacancies.
Read Article