NYS Corrections Officers Rally in Albany To Demand Safer Work Conditions

The current work stoppage of NYS corrections officers continues and now many have take to the New York State Capital to voice their concerns over unsafe working conditions.

Corrections officers across NYS have made demands of those in charge of prisons in New York and they want to be heard.

Chants of "hold the line" are being heard around Albany today as many have gathered at the Capital to rally. This all coming after they were called to return to work or see their health benefits cut off for them and their families.

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They are asking for them to repeal HALT and they are demanding that Governor Kathy Hochul hear their concerns and demands regarding the conditions at the prisons.

What is HALT?

From the NYS Assembly website, HALT is defined as:

Restricts the use of segregated confinement and creates alternative therapeutic and rehabilitative confinement options; limits the length of time a person may be in segregated confinement and excludes certain persons from being placed in segregated confinement.

Many of these officers feel that HALT has made their jobs a lot more dangerous since it was first put into place in 2022. The governor has been pretty clear that she is not looking to repeal this act, and many feel it would take a lot for it to get repealed. New York Senator Gallivan has called for the repeal of the act as well.

In the mean time, NYSCOPBA continues to not condone this current strike among corrections officers. Officers have been asked to return to work. Many have lost their jobs and benefits already.