On February 17th, thousands of Correctional Officers from facilities across New York State went on strike, protesting unsafe working conditions. Their concerns included being forced into 24-hour mandated shifts and facing escalating violence behind prison walls. What followed was a stark example of failed leadership by state Democrats — a failure to protect public servants, to honor contractually mandated workplace safety, and to grasp the challenges officers have faced since the HALT Act took effect.
What is HALT?
The Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act (HALT) is a New York State law signed on March 31, 2021, and enacted on April 1, 2022. It limits solitary confinement to a maximum of 15 consecutive days and caps the total time an individual can spend in solitary to 20 days within a 60-day period. Additionally, certain populations are exempt from solitary confinement, including those under 21 or over 55, pregnant individuals, and those with disabilities. Instead, inmates who exceed 15 days in solitary or fall into the above categories are placed in Alternative Residential Rehabilitation Units (RRUs), designed to provide therapy, programming, and support services.
Since the implementation of HALT, violence within correctional facilities has surged, both in inmate-on-staff and inmate-on-inmate assaults. Despite the clear correlation between the HALT Act and rising violence, New York Democrats — who overwhelmingly supported the law — continue to ignore its consequences. Paired with lax bail reforms, the HALT Act has made New York State a safe haven for violent offenders, emboldening them to act aggressively behind bars without fear of consequences.
A Dangerous Job Made Deadlier
Correctional Officers have always faced danger, but that danger has intensified under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and politicians like Senator Julia Salazar. The strike highlighted the state’s poor leadership, lack of respect for law enforcement, and the sacrifices officers make to protect the public. Rather than working with officers to address their concerns, Governor Hochul and officials like Commissioner Martuscello responded with threats — canceling healthcare, threatening jobs, and even threatening jail time to silence their protests.
After calling up over 7,000 National Guard members without a clear plan, these young service members were forced to endure squalid living conditions in vacant prison areas. Some slept on gymnasium floors, while others stayed in empty cells within long-abandoned prison annexes.
The National Guard received minimal preparation time and were instructed to pack only seven days’ worth of supplies, which quickly proved inadequate as their deployment dragged on. Food became inedible, and the conditions under Governor Hochul’s orders were so deplorable that one service member remarked they would “rather be in Iraq.”
To make matters worse, inmates hurled feces, urine, and other bodily fluids at the Guardsmen during their rounds and assaulted them whenever they were out of their cells. Despite these troubling reports, information has been scarce due to a gag order imposed by New York State on the National Guard.
A Wake-Up Call Ignored
The strike should have served as a wake-up call that New York State Democrats are not prioritizing law and order or public safety. Instead of seeking meaningful reform, Governor Hochul chose to pressure officers with fear, fines, and penalties rather than addressing the failed policies that sparked the strike.
Though the strike has nearly come to an end, no significant changes have been made. Once again, New Yorkers are disappointed and frustrated, witnessing leadership that consistently puts politics above public safety. As the story continues to develop we will continue posting updates to our social media pages.
