New York Marks 1 Year Since Start of State Prison Strikes

Thousands of prison workers protested safety conditions and the HALT Act, leading to a 22-day walkout and the firing of 2,000 guards.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

It has been one year since thousands of New York prison workers went on strike to protest dangerous working conditions, including staffing shortages, and to call for changes to the controversial HALT Act that limited solitary confinement. The wildcat strikes lasted for 22 days before an agreement was reached, but resulted in the firing of around 2,000 guards who did not return to work by the negotiated deadline.

Why it matters

The prison strikes highlighted ongoing concerns about safety and staffing issues in New York's correctional facilities, as well as debate around the HALT Act and use of solitary confinement. The state's response, including deploying the National Guard and mass firings, also raised questions about labor rights and the government's handling of the situation.

The details

Thousands of New York state prison workers went on strike in February 2025 to protest what they called dangerous working conditions, including serious staffing shortages. The workers also asked lawmakers to repeal the HALT Act, which limited the use of solitary confinement. The strikes lasted for 22 days before an agreement was reached that included some safety measures and a temporary suspension of parts of the HALT Act, along with the creation of a HALT Committee to make recommendations. However, the strike violated state law prohibiting walkouts by most public employees, and around 2,000 guards were fired for failing to return to work by the negotiated deadline.

  • The prison strikes began in February 2025.
  • The strikes lasted for 22 days before an agreement was reached.

The players

New York Department of Corrections and Community Provisions

The state agency responsible for the prison system that failed to reach an agreement with striking workers four times during the protests.

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who deployed the National Guard to some prisons to replace striking workers.

HALT Act

A New York law that limited the use of solitary confinement, which the striking workers called for repealing.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The HALT Committee created as part of the agreement will make recommendations to lawmakers about potential changes to the HALT law.

The takeaway

The prison strikes and the state's response raised significant questions about labor rights, public safety, and criminal justice reform in New York that will likely continue to be debated in the year ahead.