Violence inside New York prisons is driving a new push to loosen solitary confinement limits, according to The Citizen. Assembly Republicans say proposed changes to the HALT law would give officers more tools to control dangerous situations.
The plan would expand when inmates can face segregated confinement, including after riots or escape attempts, and allow short-term isolation for misconduct. Supporters argue assaults on staff and inmates show the current law isn’t working.
Democrats and advocates disagree. They say the state hasn’t fully enforced HALT and warn rolling it back could harm incarcerated people. The proposal faces long odds in the Democrat-led Legislature and wasn’t included in the governor’s budget.
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