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DOCS Commissioner speaks out
By: Curtis Schick
The war of words between the state corrections department and the corrections officers union continues. Curtis Schick has mo

ALBANY, N.Y. -- "It's time for this department to share the pain," said Donn Rowe, NYSCOPBA President in June.
Rowe's unhappiness with the Department of Correctional Services administration has continued through the summer. The union, along with Assembly minority members, have railed against DOCS plan that has closed three camps and will close nine prison annexes by October. They said DOCS is doing this while adding Deputy Superintendents and cutting corrections officers.
"I think they (NYSCOPBA) are doing what they are supposed to do, but all that I ask is what information is given out is truly accurate," Brian Fischer, NYS Department of Corrections Commissioner.
Fischer is reacting to union allegations that he added 53 deputy superintendents. At a cost, the union says, of $5.3 million.
Fischer said those positions are not new, but were moved to a new budget line. Rowe said 850 union jobs have been lost in the last eight months. Fischer said it is closer to 400. Also, Fischer disputes union's claim that prisons are above capacity.
"The bottom line is that we have vacancies in every area, medium, minimum and maximum and everybody knows that," said Fischer.
The state's financial health is poor and with Department of Corrections its largest and most expensive agency, there are sure to be more battles between NYSCOPBA and DOCS.