Some New York lawmakers open to corrections reform this budget cycle

Repealing the HALT Act, which limits the use of segregated confinement and eliminates it entirely for some groups, is top on the list of demands from striking correctional officers.

Republican state Senator Rob Rolison, ranking member on the Crime, Crime Victims and Corrections Committee, told Spectrum News 1 it should be up for discussion.

“We need to have a review at the very least as to what is going on related to HALT, related to the situation in these facilities,” he said.

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Rolison agreed and emphasized that pension issues are fueling workforce shortages statewide as incentives that previously drew workers to challenging positions have dried up in tiers 5 and 6.

“How does this system work when you don’t have those people there? It doesn’t work well, and we’re seeing it firsthand,” he said.

As the budget process moves forward, both agree the state Legislature can’t act alone and the governor, who oversees the Department of Corrections, needs to step up with a plan for how any legislative changes that arise from negotiations can be worked into the budget.

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“We need to hear from this governor on what she wants to see. These are her employees. She is the chief executive of this state,” Rolison added.