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 29, 2025
Prison understaffing: A crisis seen by few, felt by prisoners and prison employees
Our prisons cannot create public safety, and cannot rehabilitate, if they are in chaos. Until we take bold action, we will continue to see the devastating ripple effects on communities and families across America.
Read ArticleApril 24, 2025
Two women died of pneumonia at Taycheedah prison after flu outbreak, autopsy shows
An autopsy obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel indicates that Shawnee Reed, 36, tested positive for Influenza A after being transported to a nearby hospital at roughly 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 22. According to the autopsy report, another prisoner was also transported to the hospital the same day and later died, testing positive for the same bacterial infection and Influenza A.
Experts have routinely noted that congregate facilities, like prisons, can accelerate the spread of respiratory illnesses, particularly when there is overcrowding. Around the time of Reed's death, state data showed Taycheedah's population at 934 prisoners. The prison was designed for a capacity of 653.
Read ArticleApril 23, 2025
Should NY lower age to be a CO from 21 to 18?
Hoping to fill empty prison jobs, Governor Kathy Hochul wants to lower the minimum age requirement to be a corrections officer from 21 to 18.
Hochul says COs under 21 wouldn’t be allowed to use guns in facilities and would only take on supervised activities, but state lawmakers still have concerns.
While some local state lawmakers say the change may increase prison staffing, it doesn’t address what they consider the real issue. “The reason we have these openings in our prison system is because the work is very dangerous and no one wants to do the job,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay.
Read Article