ASSEMBLYMAN MATT SLATER VISITS SING SING CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, URGES EMERGENCY SUSPENSION OF HALT ACT

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) pictured with Westchester County Legislator Jimmy Nolan and Congressman Mike Lawler at Sing Sing Correctional Facility on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) visited Sing Sing Correctional Facility yesterday to speak with correctional officers picketing in solidarity for better working conditions at New York state prisons. The demonstration follows a series of violent outbreaks across New York state’s correctional facilities, attributed by many to the implementation of the HALT Act and worsening working conditions for correction officers.

In response, Slater is calling for immediate action to address the crisis, urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to suspend the HALT Act. Under Section 29A of the Executive Law, the governor can declare a state of emergency, which would grant her the authority to suspend the HALT Act for up to 30 days, with the possibility of extending it for an additional 30 days.

“An emergency order suspending the HALT Act is critical to getting this situation under control. Leaders in Albany are witnessing this crisis unfold but have yet to take any meaningful action to resolve it,” said Slater.

“I don’t understand how our governor and Albany Democrats can go home at night knowing the people they are meant to serve are locked in unsafe environments behind prison walls, working 12-hour shifts alongside inmates who are exploiting the CO shortage. Correctional officers are simply asking for better working conditions—there’s nothing excessive about that.”

“There’s a surefire way to show support for our COs, and that’s by repealing the HALT Act, increasing staff and addressing the issue of mandated overtime. We have the tools in the toolbox to make these changes, but our state leaders refuse to use them. COs and inmates have already been hurt—let’s not wait until someone is killed to take action.

Congressman Mike Lawler said, “The fact is that the state and Gov. Hochul have failed miserably to protect the men and women in our corrections union who have been working in unsafe conditions and subjected to terrible legislation like the HALT Act, which needs to be repealed.”

“I was proud to join Congressman Mike Lawler and Assemblyman Matt Slater as we stood with and supported the heroes behind the walls. These brave men and women have had enough of not being supported and put at risk by Gov. Hochul and the Albany Democrats for their failed policies that put them at risk. We must make sure we support them in this fight across the state for a safer work environment for them and the inmates,” said Westchester County Legislator Jimmy Nolan.

Editor’s Note: read the letter to Gov. Hochul and DOCCS Commissioner Martuscello here.