The recent strike by state corrections officers highlighted the many problems that exist in our state prison system. On the picket line in Woodbourne, officers and their supporters huddled together in the cold for weeks to raise public awareness. 

Among the supporters who showed up every day at the picket line was Sheriff Mike Schiff. I know he is not looking for praise and would prefer to keep a low profile, but as a retired state corrections lieutenant, I can tell you that it meant a lot to the officers to see the sheriff there. What is even more impressive is that the sheriff promised that if there was anything he could do to help, he would. 

True to his word, Mike Schiff did some research and found out that recent changes to state civil service rules allow state corrections officers to make lateral transfers to county jails without taking a new exam. Last week, the sheriff began offering jobs to officers who saw no alternative but to leave state service. 

In the end, it’s a win-win situation in which the county saves money by hiring experienced corrections officers who already have the academy training, the sheriff is able to fill open positions in the county jail, and the officers who transfer have a new career path to follow.

Frank Sisco
Wurtsboro, NY