As correctional officers across New York protest unsafe working conditions, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to repeal the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement (HALT) Act in her 30-day budget amendments.
Barclay, who visited Auburn Correctional Facility to support correctional officers, criticized the HALT Act for contributing to an increase in prison violence. Enacted on March 31, 2022, the law limits the use of segregated confinement in state prisons, particularly for older and younger inmates. Barclay argues that the policy has made prisons less safe for both inmates and staff.
“The HALT Act looked great on paper to liberal Democrats who never spent a day working in prisons,” Barclay said. “But who has it protected? Prison violence has soared since it was implemented. Inmates are less safe. Correctional officers are less safe. The entire system has become more dangerous.”
Since the HALT Act took effect, violent incidents in state correctional facilities have surged. Inmate-on-inmate violence increased by 169%, from 1,110 incidents in 2021 to 2,983 in 2024. Inmate-on-staff assaults rose by 76% in the same period. Contraband smuggling incidents also climbed by 32%, reaching nearly 4,750 cases in 2024.
Barclay noted that the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has already suspended parts of the HALT Act in response to worker protests. He urged Hochul to take further action through her 30-day budget amendments, which are required to be submitted today as part of the state’s legislative budget process.
Correctional officers have been demonstrating for the past four days, demanding action on issues such as staff shortages, escalating violence, and policies they say have made prisons more dangerous. Barclay warned that another year under the HALT Act would only worsen conditions, urging Hochul to make immediate changes.
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