Photo by Dan Kohler State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor in Brocton with a striking officer on Saturday.

Progress was being noted by the union that represents the corrections officers on day one, a spokesman for the union noted.

James Miller, director of public relations for the New York State Corrections Officers and Benevolent Police Association said Monday’s talks “were extensive with the state and Department of Corrections and Community Supervision regarding the need for operational changes, including suspending certain provisions of HALT during the staffing crisis, potential legislative changes to permanently change HALT, elimination of triple shifts, legal mail scanning, no departmental discipline for members considered absent without official leave and increased recruitment efforts and incentives to bolster staffing.”

HALT deals with solitary confinement changes for inmates.

Miller also confirmed that DOCCS has begun moving inmates out of Collins to other facilities to “ease the staffing crisis at that prison.” He said that action began on Monday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul also gave an update on Tuesday, calling for the union  to get back to work.

“My administration has worked tirelessly over the last nine days to resolve this. In fact, we’ve brought in mediators requested by the union,” Hochul said. “The mediation started (Monday), it continues again today. We want to find out what the issue is, because the individuals who’ve walked out — in an unsanctioned strike, unapproved by the union — have yet to tell us the issues.

“We’ve done everything we can to encourage them to get back to work. They know they are in violation of the New York State Taylor Law. They also are in violation of a temporary restraining order to return to work. We offered an amnesty period where they could go back to work, no questions asked. We also repealed a staffing memo that had been viewed as controversial. We also suspended portions of the HALT law, which requires a certain amount of time out and other activities that we do not have the staffing to implement.”

Hochul said 6,500 members of the National Guard are assisting with the crisis.

Also late Monday, Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski) and members of the Assembly Republican Conference, including Assemblyman Andrew Molitor (R,C-Westfield) joined the call for immediate reforms to address the growing crisis in New York’s prison system. With increasing violence, unsafe working conditions, severe understaffing and a lack of critical resources, correction officers are facing daily threats to their safety while struggling to maintain order behind prison walls.

The Assembly Republican Conference recently sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul urging immediate intervention, including repealing the HALT Act — a law that has severely limited the ability of correction officers to maintain discipline and control over violent inmates. Meanwhile, correction officers from approximately 40 state prisons have staged demonstrations, demanding relief from the deteriorating conditions that have made their jobs increasingly dangerous.

“Our state’s correction officers are being left to fend for themselves in the face of escalating violence and dangerous conditions,” said Molitor. “They are outnumbered, overworked and constantly put at risk due to policies that favor criminals over the men and women keeping our prisons secure. The HALT Act has stripped officers of the ability to enforce discipline, and as a result, assaults on staff have skyrocketed. This is a crisis that cannot be ignored any longer.”

Prison officials and union leaders have reported worsening conditions inside facilities, with officers being forced to work excessive overtime shifts due to widespread staffing shortages. The lack of personnel and support has made an already challenging job nearly impossible, contributing to an environment where officers fear for their safety every time they report for duty.

“Our correction officers deserve better–they deserve to have the proper staffing, resources and authority to maintain order,” Molitor continued. “State leadership has ignored their pleas for far too long, and unless we act now, this crisis will only deepen. Repealing HALT, addressing the staffing shortage and ensuring officers have the tools they need must be a top priority.”

Republican lawmakers continue to push for immediate action to restore safety and security in state correctional facilities. They remain committed to supporting the men and women who work tirelessly to keep communities safe and are calling on the governor and legislative leaders to take meaningful steps before more lives are put in danger.

Molitor was with state Sen. George Borrello on Saturday and spoke with striking officers at Lakeview Shock Incarceration Center near Brocton.