Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C,I-Horicon) joined Sen. Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury), colleagues from their Conferences, New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc. President Michael Powers and Northern Region Vice President John Roberts at a press conference outside Great Meadows Correctional Facility in Comstock to call for a repeal of the HALT Act.

Since April when the HALT Act was enacted, the increase in violence and attacks on correction officers has risen 37% and further increased the retention rate in the field. The HALT Act was implemented by Gov. Hochul in an effort to reduce the number of days spent in special housing in a correctional facility, but instead it nearly eliminates the ability to separate incarcerated individuals from one another. This leaves violent offenders together within the facilities and creates the potential for gang violence and other fights, which increases the risk to correction officers’ safety.

“Our state is experiencing a great influx in crime out on the streets as a result of the cashless bail reform and now we are seeing added chaos inside correctional facilities,” said Simpson. “Enforcing structure inside the facilities decreases the chances for inmate attacks on one another and on correction officers, without structure we see a lack of safety for everyone on the inside. This is a non-partisan issue. Protect our correction officers and put a stop to violence.”