Some of New York's criminal justice reforms under the HALT Act are set to take effect on March 31 of 2022, one year after it was signed into law.

The act limits the use of solitary confinement as a deterrent or punishment for inmates and sets other humane standards for treatment behind bars.

However, critics say it takes away tools necessary to maintain safety behind bars.

Chris Moreau is a representative for the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association. He says the new policies have contributed to a spike in violence among inmates and against officers.

"Our members are at a loss, they no longer know how to protect themselves,” Moreau says. “They are going home with stitches on their faces, bad backs, bad knees because of assaults. They can't play with their kids, and their wives are wondering why they're coming home with black eyes. It's just, ‘Well, that's what you signed up for,’ which is not the case."

Last week, an officer at Shawangunk Correctional Facility was assaulted and injured during a routine cell check by an inmate who was serving 20 years to life for rape.

State leaders say HALT will bring in New York in compliance with international standards of alternative methods among the incarcerated individuals.