If you place a keg of gun powder in an unrestricted environment, where it might be exposed to a spark or flame, or if you let it sit around and age until the chemicals inside become unstable, or if you place it in too confined of a space and not allow it to breathe, then it’s going to explode.

You might be able to postpone an explosion by setting it in a cool, dark space or by splashing some water on it or something.

But if you don’t do something to permanently neutralize the forces on that powder keg, it’s going to blow up sooner or later. No one will know just when or how much damage it will do.

New York state officials are sitting on a powder keg in their relations with state correction officers. And the potential for a dangerous explosion veers from the metaphorical into the literal with the real potential for danger if their differences continue to go unresolved.

Earlier this year, more than 13,000 state correction officers staged a 22-day wildcat strike, citing low staffing levels, inadequate security at prisons, overtime issues and the impact on prison security of the state’s HALT Act, which restricts the use of solitary confinement.

After the strike ended, the state fired 2,000 officers who refused to return to work and brought in 4,000 National Guard troops to help offset the staffing shortage. The state also temporarily suspended some provisions of the HALT Act while considering potential changes.

Half a year later, nearly 3,000 National Guard troops remain on the job to help maintain prison functions in the wake of an estimated staff shortage of 4,700 employees.........

© The Leader Herald