New York state prisons and our correction officers keep us safe from some of the worst criminals; people who not only put their own interests above those of society, but committed heinous and despicable crimes. For years, a concerted effort has been made to dismantle the prison system and to take away the tools CO’s use to maintain the safety of correctional facilities and to prevent further violence in our communities.

New York’s prison system is in crisis, and the numbers don’t lie.

Seventy-three percent of convicted felons in state prisons are violent felony offenders. In medium-security prisons, nearly 65% of convicted felons are violent offenders, yet they are crammed into dormitory-style housing where 50 individuals share a single space with just one correction officer. This isn’t just unsafe–it’s moronic.

New York’s correction law states that whenever there are enough cells available, convicted felons should be given individual sleeping accommodations. But instead of following this guideline, the state has ignored the 2,280 empty maximum-security cells that could house these offenders safely. Even worse, in 2024, the governor closed two maximum-security prisons eliminating over 2,200 maximum-security beds.

Meanwhile, the prison population has increased by 2,200 over the past two years, while the number of facilities has declined. The result? More convicted felons packed into tighter spaces, more stress on correction officers and more danger for everyone involved. It’s no wonder we’re seeing unrest within these facilities.

Correction officers work in prisons to maintain order and keep prisoners, staff, and the community safe. They must communicate well, remain disciplined, and trust each other to handle extremely dangerous situations inside the facility. They are not permitted to carry weapons in order to prevent convicted violent felons from obtaining them. Working in prisons takes a significant physical and mental toll on correction officers, yet they remain unrecognized members of law enforcement.

In 2021, New York passed the HALT Act, which severely restricts disciplinary measures for dangerous convicted felons. Correction officers can no longer place violent felons in segregated confinement for more than 15 days within a 60-day period. For example, a convicted felon serving life for murder could assault a correction officer on February 1, be out of solitary by February 15, assault another correction officer on February 16, and remain ineligible for segregated confinement until April 1.

Since 2022, violent felons have essentially been running the prisons because they know they cannot be punished. From 2021 to 2024, inmate on inmate violence has increased 169%, from 1,110 to 2,983 incidents. When it comes to inmate on staff violence we have seen a 76% increase from 1,177 to 2,072. The HALT Act has done nothing but make prisons across New York more violent.

New York also changed facility regulations that have further jeopardized safety. COs can no longer remove privileges, meaning convicted felons retain access to tablets, the commissary, libraries, and outdoor exercise, regardless of their behavior. Certain mail cannot be scanned, visitors can refuse to be thoroughly screened, and contraband detection resources like drug-sniffing dogs are not being used at every facility.

As a result, convicted felons are using illegal substances inside prisons, putting fellow inmates and staff at risk. Contraband being moved across prison walls has increased 32% since 2021, going from 3,594 incidents to 4,750. As well as this, felons are making homemade weapons out of various materials, further endangering correction officers and other prisoners.

This is a public safety issue and the solution is common sense; convicted felons should be securely housed, all individuals entering a prison should be properly screened, and CO’s should have the necessary resources to do their job.

Without prisons, our communities will not be safe, and quite frankly, CO’s are not at fault for expecting the same thing we all expect in every job: safer working conditions. So, if you want to have safe communities, I encourage you to contact state leadership, contact the governor’s office at (518) 402-2403 (518) 402-4982 or by email at chatoff.floyd@exec.ny.gov or rhay.guillen@exec.ny.gov and tell her enough is enough. Our government should work for us, not against us. It’s time we demand a correctional policy that protects both those who serve and the communities we call home.

Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, R-Westfield, represents the 150th Assembly District, encompassing all of Chautauqua County.