Hawley says ‘radical’ state policies have ‘decimated’ correctional system

Photo from Assemblyman Hawley’s Office: Assemblyman Hawley, right, attended a press conference on Monday in Albany, urging Gov. Hochul to take immediate action to resolve a strike among corrections officers.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

ALBANY – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) attended a press conference on Monday to call for immediate action to resolve the crisis at state correctional facilities.

Hawley also spoke on the impact radical policies like the HALT Act have had on correctional officers and their families.

According to statistics from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, since the introduction of the HALT Act in March of 2022:

• Inmate-on-inmate assaults have increased 169%;
• Inmate-on-staff assaults have increased 76%; and
• Instances of contraband have increased 32%.

Hawley believes this current administration has failed the law enforcement community and must take steps to provide safer working conditions for our correctional officers and prison staff.

“Gov. Hochul and her friends in the Majority have decimated our state’s correctional system,” Hawley said. “Instead of giving our law enforcement officers the tools they need to do their jobs, this administration has pushed radical policies like the HALT Act that give more power to criminals and take precious resources away from those who’ve sworn to keep us safe. The solution is simple. Get rid of these radical, so-called reforms and stand with our men and women in blue instead of closing prisons and putting our correctional officers out of work.”