Stec Joins COs, State Legislators at Press Conference for Legislation Cracking Down on Sexual Harassment and Assaults in Correctional Facilities

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today joined corrections officers from across the state and state lawmakers at a press conference highlighting legislation to crack down on sexual harassment and assault against COs by incarcerated individuals since the implementation of last year’s HALT Act. Senate bill S.5506 establishes the crime of forcible touching of a correction officer and increases criminal penalties for certain sexual offenses committed against correction officers. 

Stec is the sponsor of legislation that would repeal HALT entirely (S.3035), which was recently blocked from a vote by Senate Democrats. Despite that, he remains committed to ensuring action is taken that would end the crisis HALT has caused inside correctional facilities.  

“We’ve seen a drastic uptick in violence, sexual harassment and sexual assault inside correctional facilities since the implementation of HALT last year,” said Stec. “The need for action to protect our COs and women inside these facilities is long past due.  

“While Senate Democrats purport to champion women’s rights and workers’ rights, the fact is that actions speak louder than words,” he added. “If just 11 of the 42 Senate Democrats in the majority had done the right thing and voted against HALT, we wouldn’t be witnessing this drastic increase in assaults and harassment inside correctional facilities. 

“I was proud to join female corrections officers from across the state in calling for action to protect them from the abuse and degrading treatment they have been subjected to with alarming frequency. Instead of paying lip service to protecting women in the workplace, it’s time for my Senate Democrat colleagues to put their money where their mouths are. Let’s fix one of the many problems created by HALT by protecting our COs and pass this legislation before the end of Legislative Session,” Stec concluded. 

Video of Stec speaking on this legislation can be found at: https://youtu.be/faIkusZE6l4