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In a memo Thursday, DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III said the department would temporarily suspend portions of the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act during a state of emergency that was declared due to the ongoing work stoppage. 

The law, known as HALT, has been criticized by correction officers and blamed for the spike in prison violence. Assaults on incarcerated individuals and staff reached record levels in 2024. 

Jerome Wright, co-director of the HALT Solitary Campaign that advocated for the law, slammed DOCCS' decision. He said the action "will make prisons less safe." 

Martuscello rescinded his Feb. 10 memo that directed superintendents to review security staffing. An issue that emerged from that memo is DOCCS classifying 70% staffing as being fully staffed. 

Other changes include paying employees overtime that's 2.5 times the regular pay rate for working during the statewide emergency. DOCCS also pledged not to pursue disciplinary action against striking officers if they returned to work by 11:59 p.m. Thursday. 

Martuscello said DOCCS will continue to work with the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union representing correction officers, on other matters, such as recruitment. 

"The safety and security of the staff and incarcerated population is paramount to me," Martuscello wrote. "I value the hard work and commitment of the men and women of DOCCS who have had to sacrifice time with their families due to the current staffing shortage.

"At this time, I am urging all those on strike to return to the facilities today in order to restore the safety and security to our facilities." 

The strike began Monday at three correctional facilities and spread to more, including Auburn and Cayuga, on Tuesday. Work stoppages have been reported at most state prisons. 

Correction officers issued a list of demands, ranging from repealing HALT to suggestions for boosting recruitment. DOCCS responded that implementing those changes would require legislative action or violate the contract NYSCOPBA members ratified in 2024. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who urged the officers to return to work, signed an executive order Wednesday to declare a statewide emergency and activate the National Guard. More than 3,500 National Guard members are being deployed to state prisons affected by the strike. 

The striking officers have received support from several elected officials, including Cayuga County's state Assembly delegation. Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, the top Republican in the chamber, joined Auburn officers for their demonstration Thursday. 

Public employee strikes are illegal in New York. The state has initiated legal action to compel the officers to return to work. A judge issued a temporary restraining order to end the strike, but that did not deter officers from continuing their protest.