SHOA Claims Staffing and Safety Concerns

EAST MEADOW- It’s been another busy month in the recurring conflict between CSEA Local 830 and the Nassau County Sheriffs Officers Association. On July 12th the Nassau County Sheriffs Officers Association, representing 1,100 members Correction Officers held a press conference highlighting staffing and safety concerns at the Nassau County jail.

On July 3rd, Nassau County Sheriff Edward Reilly eliminated two Correction Officer Security posts in the two kitchen areas of the jail, which SHOA considers to be a major safety problem. Their claim is that while civilian employees (CSEA members) have the ability to oversee work related details of inmates, they don’t have the proper training to handle difficult situations.

That accusation goes without merit as civilians do undergo a 10 day training course, and are required to assist in the performance of duties as a Correction Officer as required at the discretion of the Sheriff. Also, civilians always were the sole means of supervision in the kitchen up from 1967-2000, with correction officers having a post added there in 2001.

“Our civilian staff has had an exemplary record over the years of preventing any escapes or other untenable situations,” Local 830 President and former cook at the jail Jerry Laricchiuta said. Newsday, TV 55, The Long Island Press and LI News Tonight covered the story and got the CSEA side of the story as well.

Sheriff Reilly added that, “all posts mandated to be filled by the New York State Department of Correction, are staffed on every shift.”

SHOA took further action on this matter on July 25th, filing a court injunction in an effort to get their members back into the kitchen. Then on July 30th, State Supreme Court Justice Daniel Martin issued a temporary restraining order which let the correction officers re-assume their posts in the kitchen.