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St. Armand board urges repeal or amendment of HALT Act, cites safety concerns for corrections officers
Summary
Councilperson Sheridan Swinyer introduced and the board adopted a resolution expressing support for New York State corrections officers and urging repeal or amendment of the HALT Act, citing staffing, safety and an asserted 85% increase in assaults on correctional staff since 2019.
The Town of St. Armand Board voted March 18 to adopt a resolution backing New York State corrections officers and urging repeal or amendment of the HALT Act (Humane Alternatives to Long-term Solitary Confinement Act). Councilperson Sheridan Swinyer moved the resolution and the board voted unanimously to forward copies to Governor Kathy Hochul, state and federal legislators named in the minutes, and other officials.
The resolution text in the minutes attributes several concerns to corrections staff — including understaffing, mandatory overtime, long shifts and a claim that assaults on correctional staff have increased 85% from 2019 to 2025 — and calls for allowing fired correctional officers to seek future civil-service employment. The board’s action is a policy statement; it does not change local law but requests that state lawmakers address the issue.
