New York’s Prisons Are in Crisis: Democrats Refuse to Act

Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C-East Aurora) issued the following statement in support of COs across the state.

“Albany’s disgraceful, pro-criminal policies have reached a tipping point. The numbers

don’t lie, 1,760 assaults on prison staff in 2024, breaking the previous record of 1,671 the year before. And what have the Democrats done? Nothing. They have abandoned our correctional officers, stripped them of the ability to maintain order and left them defenseless in a system spiraling out of control."

“Make no mistake, this is deliberate. The HALT Act has emboldened violent inmates

while putting our brave officers in danger. Staffing levels have plummeted, officers are being

forced into grueling double and triple shifts and morale is at an all-time low. Meanwhile, Gov. Hochul remains silent, refusing to lift a finger while the men and women who protect our prisons are assaulted at record rates."

“The fact that Democrats refuse to stand with correctional officers tells you everything

you need to know. They stand with the criminals. They have willfully put New York citizens’

lives in jeopardy for the protection of violent felons. They have gutted our justice system, shut down prisons and prioritized criminals over the safety of the very people risking their lives every day to protect us."

“This is unforgivable. We need an immediate repeal of the HALT Act and we need

leadership, something Gov. Hochul and Albany Democrats have proven they are utterly

incapable of providing.”

Assemblyman David DiPietro represents the 147th Assembly District, which includes parts of Erie and Wyoming counties.