ALBANY - CSEA is mourning the death of Charles Loftly, 60, a CSEA member and youth division aide at Tryon Residential Center in Johnstown, who died Tuesday evening, a month after he was brutally assaulted by a group of youths housed at the center.

Tensions have been high at OCFS facilities across the state in recent months, as staff has struggled with changes in policy and understaffing as staff deals with dangerous working conditions.

“Regardless of the circumstances of Charles Loftly’s death, the brutal beating he suffered should never have happened,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “The staffing situation in Office of Children and Family Services has long been a cause for concern because it has left staff and youth at risk.”

The Fulton County District Attorney and State Police are reportedly investigating the incident in which Loftly was beaten. One of the individuals involved in the case is being held in the Fulton County Jail. The other alleged perpetrators were transferred to other facilities. CSEA wants full accountability and justice to be done.

OCFS facilities house and care for youthful offenders who have been sent to them by the court system. Most of the youth in their care have been involved in a wide range of serious crimes.

Longstanding conditions in OCFS facilities have worsened recently as the facility has sought to shift its orientation from a corrections type model toward a more therapeutic, sanctuary type approach, the union said.

CSEA has indicated to the OCFS Administration that it is willing to work with them to bring about meaningful improvements to the system. The union has warned however, that it is impossible to simply shift the mission of the agency without adequate staff, resources, training and communication.

OCFS informed CSEA Wednesday that it is undertaking a “temporary” downsizing at Tryon over the next three months to address training and staffing issues. CSEA is approaching that plan with caution at this time.