Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Horicon) brought legislation to the Correction Committee to repeal the HALT Act (A.03196). The HALT Act was implemented in 2019 to reduce the number of days inmates spend in special housing in a correctional facility, but it has instead severely restricted our correction officers’ use of one of their most crucial tools in the form of segregated confinement for prisoners who break the rules and engage in violent behavior. Since its implementation, correction officers across the state, as well as the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) have voiced their concerns as their jobs have become significantly more dangerous and unprovoked attacks among inmates and on officers have doubled over the last decade.

“I am disappointed this bill will not see a vote on the Assembly floor. The HALT Act has only put our correction officers at risk by allowing violent offenders to gather inside their facilities. Special housing is not the same as solitary confinement. Special housing reduces the risk of disturbances and eliminating this has only jeopardized the safety of correction officers. We cannot condone violence and must work with our brave correction officers, not against them,” said Simpson.