By Will Barclay
The concerns being voiced at state correctional facilities must be taken seriously and must be addressed immediately. At this time, the safety of the men and women inside these facilities is paramount. The governor is mobilizing the National Guard, however I sincerely hope that all parties are able to reach an agreement and avert that dramatic step.
This is a crisis. The significant problems facing the men and women staffing our state prisons didn’t happen overnight. The warning signs have been evident for years and during that time their pleas have been ignored.
This workforce has faced forced closures, massive staff shortages, and they have been put in danger by liberal policies handed down from Albany. Since implementation of the HALT Act, prison violence has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. Inmate-on-inmate assaults are up 169%. Inmate-on-staff assaults are up 76%. This policy isn’t simply misguided. It’s malpractice.
We’re at a tipping point and it has never been more obvious that the correctional system needs an immediate course correction. This administration must take ownership of the crisis and work with all parties to remedy the immediate situation with an eye toward sustained improvements.
Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) is the Assembly Minority Leader.