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ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Corrections officers are demanding safer working conditions at the Elmira Correction Facility. The maximum security prison has been on lockdown since last Tuesday.

The officers, who are represented by the New York State Correctional Officer and Police Benevolent Association, are speaking out after a series of dangerous incidents were reported at the facility last month.

The union says this is the second lockdown the Elmira Correctional facility has seen in four months. They claim previous budget cuts and prison closures are the reason for the spike in violence.

The local union president says the state needs to consider not closing any more prisons, as proposed in Governor Cuomo’s budget. He says the Elmira Correctional Facility is already over capacity.

“In Elmira, and the maximum security jails, there will be two inmates in that cell. Let’s face it, the size of that cell was designed for one inmate, it wasn’t designed for two. It creates a dangerous situation on inmates and inmates and officers who enter those cells,” said Mike Dildine, New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.

The New York State Department of Corrections claims there is no overcrowding issue.

The lockdown at the Elmira Correctional Facility is expected to be lifted on Tuesday.