{"id":2512055,"date":"2025-11-18T19:48:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T00:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stefanik-slams-hochul-for-reported-prison-closure\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T19:50:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T00:50:11","slug":"stefanik-slams-hochul-for-reported-prison-closure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stefanik-slams-hochul-for-reported-prison-closure\/","title":{"rendered":"Stefanik slams Hochul for reported prison closure"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fstefanik-slams-hochul-for-reported-prison-closure%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2512055&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rep. Elise Stefanik criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul for her decision to close the bare Hill Correctional Facility and part of the Collins Correctional Facility just before the holiday season. Stefanik condemned the move as &#8220;heartless,&#8221; accusing Hochul of disregarding the concerns and well-being of correctional officers, especially <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/austin-police-tell-robbery-victims-to-call-311-after-rolling-out-ai-powered-reporting-service-amid-staffing-crisis\/\" title=\"Austin Police urge robbery victims to contact 311 for assistance following the introduction of AI...based ...orting service amidst staffing shortage.\">amid ongoing staffing shortages<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wuhan-scientists-genetically-manipulated-coronavirus-congressional-report-says\/\" title=\"Wuhan Scientists Genetically Manipulated Coronavirus, Congressional ...ort Says\">unsafe working conditions<\/a>. The closures come as Hochul ramps up fundraising for her reelection campaign. The decision follows a important illegal strike earlier this year by thousands of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >corrections officers protesting staffing shortages<\/a> and dangerous conditions, a situation worsened after the 2021 HALT Act, which restricted solitary confinement and aimed to implement rehabilitation programs but was criticized for increasing violence and insecurity in prisons. Stefanik announced her gubernatorial bid to challenge Hochul and vows to include correctional officers in her coalition to unseat the governor. Despite a recent poll showing Hochul with a solid lead, Stefanik aims to capitalize on dissatisfaction within the corrections community.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Stefanik rips New York gubernatorial rival Hochul for &lsquo;heartlessly&rsquo; closing prison before holidays<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2395621\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elise-stefanik\/\">Elise Stefanik<\/a> (R-NY) condemned Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kathy-hochul\/\">Kathy Hochul<\/a>&lsquo;s (D-NY) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/11\/18\/us-news\/hochul-to-announce-prison-closure-tuesday-as-grapples-with-staffing-crisis\/\">reported<\/a> decision to announce the shutdown of a major state prison.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Hochul&rsquo;s announcement to shut down the&nbsp;Bare Hill Correctional Facility and part of the Collins Correctional Facility comes as she raises funds for her gubernatorial reelection race in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\">New York<\/a> next year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3891200\/hochul-mamdani-collaborative-approach-mayor\/\">Hochul rejects &#8216;enemy&#8217; role for Mamdani in favor of collaborative approach: &#8216;We&#8217;ll make it work&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3890768\/mamdani-4-million-transition-fundraising-goal\/\">Mamdani sets $4 million transition fundraising goal, more than last two administrations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3891017\/hochul-leads-stefanik-new-york-governors-race-poll\/\">Hochul leads Stefanik in New York governor&#8217;s race: Poll<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;We have heard from correctional officers that Kathy Hochul will be announcing more prison closures this morning. Once again, Hochul does this heartlessly right before the holidays, ripping the rug out from under our correctional officers and their families,&rdquo; Stefanik stated.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Stefanik added that Hochul has once again &ldquo;turned her back&rdquo; on hardworking correctional officers, adding that she has previously ignored the concerns of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/police-and-law-enforcement\/\">correctional officers<\/a>, which<em> <\/em>placed &ldquo;them in harm&rsquo;s way.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is another heartless announcement just before the holiday season,&rdquo; Stefanik added.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Hochul is expected to cite staffing shortages as the reason for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2440561\/new-york-shuts-down-countrys-last-floating-prison\/\">prison&rsquo;s closure<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, thousands of corrections officers walked off the job in an illegal three-week strike over the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-seattle-boy-watches-father-die-as-staffing-shortage-likely-delayed-first-responders\/\" title=\"...ort: Seattle Boy Watches Father Die as Staffing Shortage Likely Delayed First Responders\">severe staffing shortage<\/a>, mandatory overtime, and unsafe working conditions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Hochul&rsquo;s administration <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">ended the strike in April and fired approximately&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3366642\/new-york-release-inmates-prisons-staffing-shortages-strike\/\">2,000 officers<\/a>&nbsp;who participated in it<\/span>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The strike came after the 2021 passage of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nyassembly.gov\/leg\/?default_fld=&amp;leg_video=&amp;bn=A02500&amp;term=2019&amp;Summary=Y&amp;Actions=Y&amp;Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&amp;Floor%26nbspVotes=Y&amp;Memo=Y&amp;Text=Y\">HALT Act<\/a>, which ended the solitary confinement incarceration of dangerous prison inmates and implemented programs of therapeutic rehabilitation for violent detainees. Critics of the legislation <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3347497\/new-york-david-depietro-halt-act-repeal-hochul-prison-guard-strike\/\">say its passage<\/a> only facilitated a hostile climate from inmate populations, which led to the officers&rsquo; strike over unsafe conditions, as well as the officer staffing shortage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There were 1,760 attacks [on staff] in 2024 alone,&rdquo; DiPietro added. &ldquo;Inmate-on-inmate assaults [are] up 169%, and inmate-on-staff assaults [are] up 76% since the implementation of HALT,&rdquo; state Assemblyman DiPietro previously told the <em>Washington Examiner.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Even inmates themselves have admitted in letters that the system is out of control,&rdquo; DiPietro said. &ldquo;The warning signs have been evident for years, yet nothing has been done to protect our correctional officers,&rdquo; DiPietro added.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>New York State Corrections and Community Supervision data have noted that assaults against inmates and staff increased substantially after the passage of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3366642\/new-york-release-inmates-prisons-staffing-shortages-strike\/\">legislation<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Between 2019 and 2021, there were between 1,043 and 1,117 assaults on staff and between 1,107 and 1,267 assaults on prisoners.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In 2022 alone, following the enactment of the bill, attacks toward prison staff reached 1,473, and in 2023 rose to 1,671. Attacks between inmates increased by an even greater margin, to 1,488 in 2022 and 2,107 in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>On Nov. 7, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3878922\/elise-stefanik-new-york-governor-bid\/\">Stefanik<\/a> announced her bid for governor against Hochul next year, and she hopes to add corrections officers to her campaign next year.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3347497\/new-york-david-depietro-halt-act-repeal-hochul-prison-guard-strike\/\"><strong>NEW YORK LAWMAKER DEMANDS HALT ACT BE REPEALED AFTER HOCHUL FIRED 2,000 PRISON GUARDS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Mark my words, correctional officers across the state will be part of our coalition next year that will fire Kathy Hochul to Save New York,&rdquo; Stefanik concluded.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A Sunday poll from Sienna University found that Hochul&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3891017\/hochul-leads-stefanik-new-york-governors-race-poll\/\">lead<\/a> against Stefanik has decreased by 5% but still leads by a decisive 20-point margin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stefanik blasts Hochul for &#8216;heartlessly&#8217; closing prisons before holidays<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4015,"featured_media":2512056,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-collage-1sl2sfqjg-1760485847258.jpg?1763486676&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[8433,32120,5894,55395,3973],"class_list":["post-2512055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-hochul","tag-new-york","tag-politics","tag-prison-closure","tag-stefanik"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-collage-1sl2sfqjg-1760485847258.jpg?1763486676&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4015"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2512055"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2512059,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512055\/revisions\/2512059"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2512056"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2512055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2512055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2512055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}