New York governor deploys troops to guard prisons amid staff strike

New York Governor Kathy Hokul has deployed National Guard troops to guard state prisons amid a spontaneous strike by corrections officers. The Associated Press (AP) reported the news on Feb. 19.

Union officials said picketing and strikes by corrections officers were taking place at 30 state prisons as of Wednesday morning.

"I am ordering everyone involved in these illegal strikes to cease these actions immediately. Legal proceedings have already been initiated to enforce the law," - the governor stated.

It is specified that the correctional officers are protesting for higher wages, increased searches of prison visitors and the repeal of recent prison reforms limiting solitary confinement. Striking guards could be fined or subject to other sanctions

"National Guard troops have arrived and are ready to stabilize the situation," Hokul noted.

One for one: the United States released Russian citizen Alexander Vinnik

Former BTC-e programmer to return home as part of prisoner exchange

Russian Alexander Vinnik, who was released from an American prison, told Izvestia on February 18 in an interview about the harsh order in detention on the territory of the United States. The Russian noted that in detention he helped to distribute and clean food, as well as worked in the laundry.