Proposed changes to HALT Act

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)— Department of Corrections and Community Supervision announced proposed recommendations to change aspects of the controversial HALT Act. That’s the bill that was passed in 2021 to restrict the use of solitary confinement in New York prisons.

During the correction officer strike earlier this year, there were calls to repeal the legislation. However, its supporters argue the law was never properly implemented. 

A new committee, made up with members from DOCCs, the correction officer union, as well as other unions representing state prison employees, recently proposed amending the law. Some recommendations include:

• Clarifying that sexual harassment and lewd conduct could result in segregated confinement 
• Allow temporary placement in a residential rehabilitation unit for up to three days if there is an unreasonable safety risk
• Modifying exisiting positive incentive programs so more people can benefit from them

https://doccs.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2025/09/new-york-state-department-of-corrections-and-community-supervision-releases-committees-proposed-revisions-to-the-halt-act.pdf

Chris Summers, President of NYSCOPBA the union that represents correction officers, supports the proposed changes. He believes they are a good first step in addressing the issue of safety.

“If the legislators take this seriously, and actually make changes to HALT, this will make it safer for our members and everyone that works inside the correctional facilities and inmates that live there,” said Summers.

Democratic State Senator, Julia Salazar, is the Chair of the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections. She is also the sponsor of the HALT Act. She released a statement saying in part, 

“New York will never return to the practice of torturing people through the use of solitary confinement…. We need the law to finally be properly implemented and followed for prisons and jails to become safer and more humane.”

According to DOCCS, the proposed revisions have been sent to the governor and state legislature for consideration.

https://www.news10.com/news/ny-news/doccs-unions-propose-halt-changes/