STATEWIDE — THE NEW YORK STATE Department of Corrections and the NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, after several days of arbitration, reached a tentative agreement late Thursday that could end the ongoing illegal strike in state prisons, arbitrator Martin Scheinmann said. During the strike, some prisoners were left in potentially dangerous conditions with minimal food and medical care, and Gov. Kathy Hochul called in the National Guard. Under the terms, the HALT Act, which bars long-term solitary confinement, will continue to be suspended for 90 days, and beyond that time can be further suspended if staffing levels fall below a certain level. The agreement also covers other areas, such as overtime pay and shifts.
“Working with a mediator, we have reached a consent award to address many of the concerns raised by correction officers, put DOCCS back on the path to safe operations, respect the rights of incarcerated individuals and prevent future unsanctioned work stoppages,” Hochul said in a statement late Thursday.
However, Jerome Wright, co-director of the #HALTsolitary Campaign, said in a release, “Today’s illegal agreement aims to maintain a racist regime of torture, brutality, and death. DOCCS does not have the authority to suspend the HALT Solitary Confinement Law. Let’s be clear that they are simply violating the law and people will be tortured and die as a result.”
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