Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C,I-Schoharie) on Tuesday joined Sen. Sue Serino (SD-41) and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro for a press conference in Coxsackie, as they stood with New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) members and their families, including President Michael Powers and Director of Public Relations Jimmy Miller, to call on Gov. Hochul and the Democratic Majorities in the Legislature to repeal the HALT Act.

Since the HALT Act took effect earlier this year, correctional officers have said they are no longer able to effectively separate inmates within corrections facilities. This increases the potential for fighting and gang activity, making correctional facilities more dangerous places for inmates and correctional officers alike. Following last year’s record high number of violent attacks against correctional officers, many are concerned that by limiting the options they can utilize to control dangerous inmates, incarcerated individuals will feel empowered to engage in violent or criminal behavior with impunity.

“The HALT Act has made our prisons more dangerous places, where criminals are now more free to organize and deeply immerse themselves in gangs and criminality than ever,” said Tague. “Even before the HALT Act’s implementation, violence against our correctional officers reached a record high in 2021. This law poses a threat to prisoners, correctional officers and everyone else who works in our prisons and should be repealed as soon as possible.”