Recent claims from New York State prison guards suggest an increasing need to use force against inmates, attributing this trend to heightened job risks and a 2022 law concerning solitary confinement. However, a detailed analysis of prison data paints a different and more complex picture, revealing a steady increase in the use of force over the past decade—well before the controversial legislation—and inconsistent with claims of rising inmate violence or reduced solitary confinement.
For years, correctional officers within the New York prison system have voiced concerns, noting that their roles have become increasingly hazardous, leaving them with no alternative but to use force more frequently to maintain order.
They specifically cite the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement (HALT) law, enacted in 2022, arguing that it removed a critical tool for managing difficult inmates by limiting solitary confinement. They claim this led to more high-risk inmates circulating in the general population, causing more fights and assaults on staff, thereby necessitating a strong response.
Data Reveals a Decade-Long Rise in Prison Force Use
However, a comprehensive analysis of available prison data—including incident reports, staffing levels, and inmate populations—reveals a contradictory reality. This in-depth research indicates that the upward trend in staff use of force has been a consistent pattern for a full decade, long before the solitary confinement legislation was conceived or implemented.
Looking at the surge in incidents: in 2014, across the state prison system, guards and other staff reported using force against inmates nearly three times per day. By 2019, this figure had doubled, reaching an average of seven incidents per day. The trend continued relentlessly, reaching a concerning rate of more than eleven daily incidents by last year. This decade-long escalation points to underlying factors unrelated to recent legislative changes.
Moreover, the rise cannot be attributed to a higher inmate population. In fact, the number of individuals held in New York State prisons declined significantly during the same period. In 2014, the daily average population was about 53,000 inmates. Ten years later, by 2024, this number had dropped sharply to around 33,000. Examining force usage per inmate, the increase becomes even clearer, showing a sixfold rise from 2014 to 2024, confirming that less crowded facilities did not reduce the use of force.
Rising Force and Isolation Trends Challenge HALT Assumptions
The argument that staff assaults have become more severe, justifying increased force, also appears unsubstantiated. While the rate of staff-inmate assaults accompanied the rise in force incidents, the proportion of these incidents actually recorded as involving an assault declined. In 2014, of 1,056 force reports, 724 (69%) involved an assault.
By 2024, the number of force reports rose to 4,286, but only 51% involved assault. A closer look at 2024 data shows most assaults were minor: roughly 1% resulted in moderate to severe injury to staff, around 15% caused minor injuries, and a significant 84% caused no injury at all.
Ironically, claims that fewer inmates are held in isolation due to HALT also face scrutiny. While the law aimed to limit traditional solitary confinement and replace it with “Residential Rehabilitation Units” offering therapeutic alternatives, it inadvertently increased the total number of inmates in isolation. Although numbers in traditional restrictive housing units decreased, there was a significant rise in those placed in the new rehabilitation units. Combined, these categories now house more inmates in isolation than before the law’s implementation.
Enforcement Gaps and Accountability Issues in NY Prisons
Concerns have also been raised about the law’s actual enforcement. Reports from government oversight committees indicate that provisions are not applied consistently across all facilities. Instances have been documented of inmates held in restrictive housing for more than the 15-day limit, and those in rehabilitation units are not always allowed out at designated times or given access to intensive services. In many facilities, oversight groups found that traditional restrictive housing units and new rehabilitation units are “indistinguishable,” suggesting the law’s intended humane alternatives are not fully realized.
Prominent civil liberties advocate Donna Lieberman highlighted the severity of the situation, pointing to “horrific abuses” recently occurring in the state prison system. She emphasized that lack of accountability among correctional officers could exacerbate these abuses. While acknowledging the inherent challenges of their profession, she stressed that officers remain responsible for adhering to regulations and ensuring the safety and well-being of those in their care.
The evolving narrative around the use of force in New York prisons reveals a complex interplay between policy, practice, and perception. While correctional officers express legitimate concerns about their safety, the data points to a broader systemic problem predating recent reforms, highlighting the need for deeper scrutiny of training, protocols, and accountability within state correctional facilities. Understanding these nuances is critical for fostering a safer and more just environment for both inmates and staff.