Address the Crisis in NY State Prisons

I urge immediate action to address the escalating crisis in New York State prisons. Recent lockdowns by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) have indefinitely suspended personal and legal visitation, further isolating incarcerated individuals and violating the HALT Solitary Confinement Act. Currently, people in prison are confined up to 24 hours a day, denied food, medical care, mental health services, education, and other basic necessities, while enduring rampant staff abuse. These conditions violate human rights and public safety. I call for the following urgent actions: Fully Implement the HALT Solitary Confinement Act to eliminate extreme isolation practices. Restore Visitation Rights immediately for all incarcerated individuals. Ensure Access to Basic Necessities like food, healthcare, and education. End Staff Abuse and Hold Corrections Officers Accountable for brutality and misconduct. Advance Reforms such as eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, expanding parole pathways, and holding officers accountable. New York must prioritize safety, dignity, and justice for those inside prisons. The time to act is now. Families and incarcerated individuals cannot wait.