SENATOR WALCZYK HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR CORRECTIONAL REFORM IN NEW YORK
March 11, 2026
Last week, a harrowing incident at Auburn Correctional Facility left a corrections officer viciously attacked and stabbed multiple times by an inmate. This 49-year-old inmate, serving a 20-years-to-life sentence, brutally assaulted a corrections officer with a makeshift weapon. Thankfully, this officer is recovering from serious injuries, but he is just one of many who daily face life-threatening conditions in a system that has descended into chaos. The HALT Act has stripped our corrections officers of the essential tools necessary to maintain order, and Hochul’s negligent policies have placed them directly in harm’s way.
Last year, our corrections officers protested for their safety, rallying under the banner “Hold the Line” and calling for a repeal of HALT. How did Governor Hochul respond? With blatant disregard for their lives, she stated, “All of this screaming and yelling here will have no effect on me. I know what I have to do.” Governor Hochul did just that; she ignored all the voices of Correctional Officers.
Last year, our corrections officers protested for their safety, rallying under the banner “Hold the Line” and calling for a repeal of HALT. How did Governor Hochul respond? With blatant disregard for their lives, she stated, “All of this screaming and yelling here will have no effect on me. I know what I have to do.” Governor Hochul did just that; she ignored all the voices of Correctional Officers.
During the 2025 legislative session, while Senate Republicans worked diligently to put forth pragmatic solutions aimed at enhancing safety in correctional facilities, Albany Democrats opted instead to coddle criminals. They enacted policies that offered inmates increased protections, all while turning a blind eye to the escalating violence and assaults occurring within our prisons. The Omnibus Prison Reform Act of 2025 and Senate Bill S.856 only entrenched the failures we encounter today, populating the Commission on Correction with partisan appointments and extending civil claim windows for former inmates instead of addressing the harsh realities faced by our law enforcement personnel.
Senator Walczyk highlighted the stark realities of Senate Bill S.856 last year on the Senate floor, stating, “This bill claims to provide transparency in our state correctional facilities, but let’s be honest: it’s not achieving that goal. The Governor has ignored the safety concerns raised by both staff and inmates. Thousands of dedicated corrections officers have protested against unsafe working conditions, which has resulted in unjust firings and many more abandoning a profession that deserves respect. So, where is the transparency in silencing the voices of these brave men and women who risk their lives to protect our communities?”
New York's response to the 2025 corrections officer strike is expected to burden taxpayers with over $1 billion, as the state persistently relies on National Guard troops to fill staffing gaps within our prison system. Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed budget allocates an additional $535 million to maintain the presence of 2,700 National Guard members in state prisons, adding to the approximately $700 million already spent through March.
To add insult to injury, this colossal expenditure showcases a waste of taxpayer resources that should be directed toward ensuring the safety of our officers and the communities they serve. Hochul’s inability to take decisive and responsible action has led to a significant misallocation of resources. “The governor should address the safety concerns raised by corrections officers. This situation is detrimental for the National Guardsmen too, potentially harming their long-term mission regarding retention and recruitment. This is not why someone chooses to serve their community or their country,” stated Walczyk this past February.
New York's response to the 2025 corrections officer strike is expected to burden taxpayers with over $1 billion, as the state persistently relies on National Guard troops to fill staffing gaps within our prison system. Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed budget allocates an additional $535 million to maintain the presence of 2,700 National Guard members in state prisons, adding to the approximately $700 million already spent through March.
To add insult to injury, this colossal expenditure showcases a waste of taxpayer resources that should be directed toward ensuring the safety of our officers and the communities they serve. Hochul’s inability to take decisive and responsible action has led to a significant misallocation of resources. “The governor should address the safety concerns raised by corrections officers. This situation is detrimental for the National Guardsmen too, potentially harming their long-term mission regarding retention and recruitment. This is not why someone chooses to serve their community or their country,” stated Walczyk this past February.
The truth is that the repeal of the HALT Act would have prevented the incident that occurred in Auburn. As Senator Walczyk has reiterated time and time again, “The HALT Act continues to unleash chaos within our prison system, severely limiting the tools our officers need to manage violent behavior among inmates." What could have been accomplished during the last legislative session? Proposals aimed at enhancing officer safety—such as implementing body scanners and secure mail programs (S.4560)—which were obstructed by Democrats who prioritized their political agendas over the welfare of our officers.
“We are well past the time for repeal; these misguided policies are already failing and continue to jeopardize the lives of our courageous corrections officers and now National Guardsmen. Albany policymakers have turned a deaf ear to the urgent pleas from those on the front lines, and this tragic incident in Auburn serves as a harbinger of what lies ahead. This is just the beginning,” concluded Walczyk.
“We are well past the time for repeal; these misguided policies are already failing and continue to jeopardize the lives of our courageous corrections officers and now National Guardsmen. Albany policymakers have turned a deaf ear to the urgent pleas from those on the front lines, and this tragic incident in Auburn serves as a harbinger of what lies ahead. This is just the beginning,” concluded Walczyk.