OGDENSBURG -- State Senator Dan Stec brought legislation to the floor to repeal the controversial HALT Act, however the measure was shot down in a party line vote.
Stec said the hostile amendment was his attempt to fully repeal the legislation, forcing state lawmakers to formally weigh-in.
The HALT Act, passed in 2021, heavily restricts the use of solitary confinement, which officers say has complicated disciplinary measures for violent offenders and inmates who continually violate policies.
“The numbers and the voices of our correction officers don’t lie: correctional facilities are demonstrably more unsafe because of the HALT Act,” said Stec. “After touring all seven of the correctional facilities inside the 45th Senate District, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating effect HALT has had on officer, civilian staff and inmate safety," Stec said.

Stec blamed Democrats for the failure of the amendment, saying their loyalties have shown through.
“For years, Senate Democrats have chosen to ignore the consequences of dangerous policies like HALT and prevent my legislation to repeal it from coming to the floor. Bringing it as a hostile amendment shows where Senate Democrats’ loyalties truly are. It’s not with our correction officers and public safety; it’s with unpopular, pro-crime policies that make prisons and our communities less safe,” he added.
He said Democrats appear to have no interest in even discuss possible legislation that would alter or repeal HALT.
The hostile amendment, which is used to force an immediate vote on the floor, was the latest attempt by North Country representatives to support correctional officers still protesting unsafe working conditions in state prisons.
Protests began in earnest last Monday, Feb. 17 and came to a head by Wednesday afternoon. As of press time, 40 of 42 prisons were participating with estimates suggesting nine out of 10 officers taking part.
In a statement, Assemblyman Scott Gray detailed the necessary policy changes for prison safety that would get officers back to work. He made the announcement as mediation efforts got underway between correctional union leaders and state officials.
Among the safety concerns needing to be addressed, Gray said a full repeal of the HALT Act was necessary to safeguard prison populations and employees.
“Safety concerns in our correctional facilities have reached a critical level due to failed policies that endanger officers, civilian staff and inmates. The HALT Act has led to increased violence, with officers unable to maintain order and inmates resorting to makeshift weapons. This compromises the safety of all involved," Gray said.
He also touched on rising numbers of drug overdoses in state prisons.
“The rise in drug exposure is another urgent problem. Drugs enter through visits, packages and drug-saturated paper mail, with the latter posing a direct hazard to officers. This also fuels an illicit trade among inmates," he said.
Gray said it's time to stop "doubling down on what clearly isn't working" and take a new approach to the multitude of issues raised by correctional officers.
“Rather than doubling down on what clearly isn’t working, I want to again emphasize to our state leaders that we have the tools to fix these problems: Mandatory body scanners for visitor screenings, secure vendors for inmate packages and replacing paper mail with electronic communication will reduce contraband and improve safety. These measures are proven and necessary," he said.
“Disciplinary procedures must also be reinstated immediately. Officers need the authority to separate inmates immediately for 15 days to maintain control, and I strongly encourage a secondary review process for extended separation from general population inmates," Gray said.
Not long after Stec introduced the hostile amendment, news broke that State Troopers allegedly began serving court notices ordering corrections officers to end their protests.
North Country This Week has not been able to independently verify the claims as of press time.
The notices stem from a restraining order signed off by Judge Donna Siwek of the New York State Supreme Court, which was issued on Feb. 19.
Sewer's restraining order noted officers are prohibited from "engaging in a strike or other concerted stoppage of work or slowdown, including engaging in, causing, instigating, encouraging, condoning or in any way aiding or abetting a strike or other concerted stoppage of work or slowdown by any public employee or employees of DOCCS, or picketing, congregating, or walking back and forth within one hundred feet of any DOCCS correctional facilities."
Governor Hochul said she is also considering transferring prisoners out of state as a result of the staffing issues caused by the protests.
Those moves have caused further concerns for lawmakers in the capitol as they seek legislative solutions as well.
Mediation began on Monday, Feb. 24 between union leaders and state officials, though it appears no real progress was made.
According to NYSCOPBA Public Relations Director James Miller, multiple topics were covered during the first day of mediation.
"Day one of mediation concluded late yesterday afternoon and there were extensive discussions with the State and DOCCS on the need for operational changes, including immediately suspending certain provisions of HALT during the staffing crisis, potential legislative changes to permanently change HALT, elimination of triple shifts, legal mail scanning, no departmental discipline for members considered AWOL, increased recruitment efforts and incentives to bolster staffing," he said in a release.
He also confirmed DOCCS had begun moving inmates from Collins Correctional Facility to other facilities "to ease the staffing crisis at that prison."