Albany, New York -- New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus Chair Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and Chair of the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Senator Julia Salazar released the following joint statement regarding DOCCS and the HALT Solitary Confinement Law: 

“We commend the NY Supreme Court for ordering the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to comply with the clear words and intention of NY's landmark HALT Solitary Confinement law. We appreciate the Court's recognition of the mental and physical harm caused by spending 21 – 24 hours per day locked in a cell. Overwhelming majorities of the Senate and Assembly agreed with this recognition when they passed the HALT Solitary Confinement law in 2021. As we and many of our colleagues have said, DOCCS has no authority to issue a statewide "suspension" of provisions of HALT. Before, during, and after the unauthorized work stoppage, it's clear that the limited discretion provided to DOCCS was being abused. The Caucus will continue to stand by the rights of those incarcerated and will proactively defend legislation that promotes safety and rehabilitation. Full implementation of HALT makes correctional facilities safer for everyone, including prison staff.”