New York State Correction Officers Union calling on Governor Hochul’s office to step up amidst chaotic spree of prison violence, overdoses

ALBANY- The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association has published a letter calling on the office of Governor Kathy Hochul to step up and do something amidst a rising spree of prison violence.

Specifically, the union directly warned in the letter how New York’s prison system is facing a ‘systemic emergency’ with continual dangerous contraband, assaults, overdoses and other concerning issues.

The union continues calling on the state legislature to adopt various amendments to the HALT Act, which was passed with the intent of reforming prison punishments for inmates who act out of line, specifically for the use of solitary confinement.

However, the act has been under continuous scrutiny from the union and other figures for ultimately being the primary cause in this rise of prison chaos.

Smuggling has also gotten out of hand, the union claimed, and they are asking for stronger regulations to blunt drugs, weapons and other contraband from flowing into the prison system.

During the winter of 2025, several prisons statewide endured a walk-out, where correction officers went on strike to protest what they called increasingly unsafe working conditions.

NYSDOCCS image.