ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state prisons will release some inmates early because the system does not have enough corrections officers, weeks after the state fired more than 2,000 guards who went on strike over poor working conditions.
In a memo Monday, corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello directed prison leaders to begin identifying inmates who were convicted of minor crimes and already set for release within 15 to 110 days to be considered for an early discharge.
Inmates convicted of sex crimes, violent felonies or serious felonies such as murder, terrorism and arson would not be eligible for early release, the state corrections department said.
Martuscello wrote that the early releases would occur 'in view of the current staffing crisis, and in order to have the appropriate balance between the safety and well-being of those working and residing" in state prisons.
The move came after a widespread corrections officer strike that lasted for 22 days and crippled the operations of state's prison system. The state eventually fired more than 2,000 guards who refused to return to work after the state and guards' union reached a deal to end the work stoppage.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, signed an executive order that prevents state agencies from hiring guards who were fired for striking.
A spokeswoman for Hochul said the governor supports Martuscello's “efforts to safely address staffing shortages and personnel concerns” in a statement Tuesday.
FILE - A guard tower and barbed wire fencing stand outside Sing Sing, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020 in Ossining, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
DENVER (AP) — Obi Toppin scored 22 points in his second start of the season and the Indiana Pacers overcame the absence of Pascal Siakam to hand the reeling Denver Nuggets their fourth consecutive loss Sunday, 125-120.
Myles Turner's 24 points led the Pacers, who overcame a 13-point first-half deficit and an off-night by Tyrese Haliburton, whose nine points on eight shots were less than half his scoring average.
The Nuggets lost their fourth straight despite Nikola Jokic's 41 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists and a career-high 30 points from Christian Braun.
Jokic was charged with a crucial backcourt turnover with the Nuggets trailing 122-120 with 15 seconds remaining but it was Braun who misread the dribble-handoff from Jokic and caused the turnover just as Jokic was passing to Russell Westbrook.
Jamal Murray missed his fifth consecutive game for Denver with a strained right hamstring and coach Michael Malone said “hopefully” his star point guard will be back for the start of the NBA playoffs.
The Pacers were without Siakam (right elbow) and trailed by 13 in the first half. Haliburton came in averaging 18.6 points per game but was held scoreless until his 3-pointer with 3:43 left in the third quarter tied it at 84-all, and his floater gave Indiana a 98-97 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets entered Sunday in fourth place in the bunched-up Western Conference, just a game ahead of the eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies.
Pacers: Indiana showed it can win without Siakam and that depth should prove beneficial in the playoffs. The Pacers are solidly in the fourth place in the East.
Nuggets: Denver is falling fast. The Nuggets were in second place not that long ago and now could be facing a play-in game just to make it into the playoffs.
Jokic's bad pass to Westbrook in the closing seconds was the Nuggets' third turnover in the final 2 minutes and sixth of the fourth quarter.
Malone successfully challenged two foul calls on Denver in the first half, one on Jokic and the other on Christian Braun.
The Pacers return home to play the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. The Nuggets visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, left, collects the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, front, drives to the basket past Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., front, drives past Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, center, holds onto the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and guard Jalen Pickett, right, defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, left, tries to steal the ball from Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, shoots for a basket as Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin, right, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, drives past Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
