Overtime Costs Soar in New York State Prisons Amid Staffing Crisis
ALBANY — New York’s state prisons are facing a significant staffing shortage, leading to eye-popping overtime expenses that have spiked to $445 million, before even considering the recent dismissals of thousands of amendment officers following an illegal strike earlier this year.
The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has emerged as the top contributor to overtime costs among state agencies for 2024, with expenses up nearly 21%. That’s in accordance with the latest findings from a report from New York’s state office.
Overall, state agencies have raised their overtime spending by about 10%, reaching nearly $1.3 billion since 2023.
It’s worth noting that the DOCCS and Mental Health offices, along with the offices addressing developmental disabilities in the state, collectively accounted for roughly two-thirds of all overtime costs in 2024.
The recent illegal strike led to a significant increase in spending, especially considering about 2,000 corrections officers were let go. That clearly exacerbated the situation.
A report from Dinapoli states, “Since 2023, the workforce has diminished by over 1,000. These factors suggest that employees are putting in many extra hours to meet operational needs.”
An agency representative commented that the surge in overtime spending reflects a persistent staffing crisis. They emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of both staff and inmates, alongside fulfilling other critical functions at the correctional facilities.
The Budget Office, under Hochul, projects that the operational costs post-strike could exceed $100 million monthly, as the system grapples with ongoing shortages.
This projection takes into consideration both the overtime for correctional staff and expenses related to filling gaps with National Guard troops, among other factors.
Senator George Borello from Chautauqua remarked, “It’s not shocking we’re seeing this.” He went on to link the hazardous conditions to crime legislation passed by Democrats, criticizing the management under Governor Hochul for not only financial missteps but also for the challenges posed to public morale and safety.
After the DOCCS, the highest overtime expenditures last year were recorded by the state police, the Department of Transportation, and the State University of New York.
The state’s workforce as a whole increased by about 5,300 employees in 2024, reflecting a growth rate of 3.7% compared to the previous year.
Dinapoli expressed that even with this workforce expansion, overtime persisted below pre-pandemic staffing levels. He underscored, “New York must enhance its ability to attract and retain diverse employees,” while also urging that overtime hours be justifiable and services provided efficiently and safely to New Yorkers.
