BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — In 2021, former Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Human Alternatives to Long Term Solitary Confinement (HALT) Act into law, restricting solitary confinement for vulnerable individuals in New York prisons.

New York’s Department of Corrections has temporarily suspended parts of the HALT Act in response to ongoing correction officer strikes. The move comes as prisons struggle with staffing shortages, prompting the National Guard to step in.

As New York correction officers continue their strike, state lawmakers remain split over prison staffing reforms and the controversial HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement. While some legislators signal willingness to address staffing and retirement concerns, deep divisions persist on whether to repeal or amend HALT.

In a memo to all correctional facility superintendents, the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision announced certain parts of the HALT

Provisions of HALT Act allow for temporary suspension when “circumstances create a significant and unreasonable risk to the safety and security” of inmates and staff.

As prison protests continue, New York corrections staff urge Hochul to repeal HALT Act

Correctional officers continued picketing outside of New York State prisons on Thursday despite Governor Hochul and union leaders acknowledging the strikes are