ALBANY — New York State Assemblyman Brian Miller has joined with the state correctional officers union to support the return of solitary confinement. Miller announced a new bill to repeal the HALT Act.

In spring 2021, the state legislature passed the HALT Act, known as Humane Alternatives for Long Term Solitary Confinement. The law limits the length of time an inmate can be held in solitary confinement, among other changes to the general use of the practice. According to the legislature, the extended use of solitary confinement was compared to torture, and studies had shown it could lead to lasting trauma.

The HALT Act went into effect on March 31.

Miller, R-101, New Hartford, and state Senator Dan Stec, R-45, Queensbury, have introduced a new bill to repeal the HALT Act. They were joined in their announcement by members of the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, which also openly opposes the HALT Act.

“The HALT Act has been an abysmal failure, making our prisons all the more dangerous for everyone working and being housed there. Policies like the HALT Act favor the comfort of the few especially difficult and dangerous prisoners, over the protection of other workers and inmates,” said Miller in a release.

“New York has an obligation to keep prisons safe for the workers and inmates, and restoring the use of special housing units is the right step toward safer correctional facilities.”

According to Miller and NYSCOPBA, there has been a 25% increase in assaults on officers in state prisons since the implementation of the law.

Miller is running for re-election to the state Assembly.