Long Island correction officers protest over jail safety
NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Hundreds of correction officers rallied for change outside of the Nassau County jail. This year alone there have been reports of inmate slashings, smuggling of drugs, and poor health care resulting in deaths.
It has prompted a closer look at security. The latest issue is a fence that backs a parking lot and surrounds part of the jail. The alarm has been disabled and it will not be replaced.
Brian Sullivan is the President of Sheriff's Correction Officers Benevolent Association. He said that he is concerned his officers could get slashed or killed.
Retired Correction Lieutenant Thomas DeStefano worked at the jail for 31 years. He says it all comes down to money.
Officials with the jail insist that public safety isn't and has never been jeopardized. They brought Fox 5 on the property to the gate in question. Nassau County Commissioner of Corrections Charles Campisi said the alarm was removed because it kept breaking down. Captain Michael Golio said inmates are not in that area frequently and when they are they are monitored by jail employees.
But in a matter of minutes, we saw two inmates taking out the trash. Some neighbors told Fox 5 that they are nervous.
Sheriff Michael Sposato declined an on-camera interview but said the rally isn't a matter of a safety. He said correction officers aren't happy with a recent security enhancement that now requires them to patrol twice as much.
The union isn't buying it. Sullivan said the union's contract isn't up until next year and that he is talking about staffing and tools. The union promises to bring the issues to the state.
Active correction officers didn't want to go to camera in fear of retaliation.