Stec, Simpson blast corrections policies amid recent incidents

ELIZABETHTOWN | Following an uprising and dorm takeover at Collins Correctional Facility Wednesday afternoon, North Country lawmakers Sen. Dan Stec and Assemblyman Matt Simpson echoed repeated concerns about staffing and safety inside New York correctional facilities. "Between the recent chemical exposure at Upstate Correctional Facility and today's events at Collins, it's more clear than ever that state policies like HALT have made these sites unsafe for correction officers, civilian staff and incarcerated individuals. The dangerous behavior of disruptive incarcerates will only worsen, as Acting Commissioner Martuscello recently announced that 70 percent staffing inside a facility will equal 'fully staffed' as far as DOCCS is concerned," Sen. Dan Stec said Wednesday evening as the unrest subsided but mass concern about prison safety and staffing took yet another forefront. "Correction officers are expected to make do with less: less staffing and less resources at their disposal to protect themselves and others. Shame on Democrat leaders for actively making correctional facilities unsafe. Their continued virtue signaling and social justice crusading has put the health and well-being of officers and civilian staff at risk. "Instead of continuing to push a radical political agenda, they should take a good look at what it's like inside these facilities and the impact their policies are having on hardworking, dedicated officers and staff." On Thursday, Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C- Lake George) blasted Albany policies he said has directly impacted safety to both officers and the incarcerated population. "This was an unfortunate and predictable outcome. The HALT Act, which severely limits the ability of correctional officers to discipline violent inmates, is directly putting both officers and inmates at risk. Combine that with facility closures and a 30% reduction in staffing, and it's clear these policies are endangering the safety of our correctional staff. COs are working double and even triple shifts, yet Albany continues to push idealistic, pro-criminal legislation. It's time for an immediate repeal of the HALT Act and a real focus on supporting our brave men and women in uniform. This should have never been allowed to happen."

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Stec, Simpson blast corrections policies amid recent incidents

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