Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) today called for immediate legislative action to improve safety inside New York’s correctional facilities following the recent assault of a Public Employees Federation (PEF) employee at Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility.

In a powerful public letter following the incident, the victim reflected on the attack and the broader failures within the system, writing that “the system failed him, and it failed me.” Her account has renewed concerns about the safety of employees working inside New York’s prisons and the need for meaningful reforms that address both facility security and rehabilitation.

Maher represents a district that includes four state correctional facilities and the juvenile detention facility in Goshen and has visited each location to meet directly with correctional staff and administrators to discuss the challenges they face.

“The courage shown by this victim in sharing her story should be a wake-up call,” said Meghan Hurlburt, chief of staff to Assemblyman Maher. “Everyone who works inside our correctional facilities deserves to go to work knowing they will be safe. New York must take a serious look at the policies that are making it harder for staff to maintain order while also investing in programs that truly help people rehabilitate.”

Maher has supported reforms to improve safety inside correctional facilities, including addressing staffing shortages, reviewing the impacts of the HALT Act and expanding rehabilitation and reentry programs. He has also backed efforts to strengthen recruitment and retention of correctional staff statewide.

“Assemblyman Maher has made it a priority to hear directly from those working on the front lines,” Hurlburt added. “Real reform means acknowledging the realities inside our facilities and pursuing policies that protect staff, support victims and give individuals the tools they need to break the cycle of incarceration.”

Maher said incidents like the one at Lakeview underscore the urgent need for a balanced approach to corrections policy—one that prioritizes staff safety while also investing in effective rehabilitation strategies.

“Our correctional facilities cannot function safely without the people who work there every day,” Hurlburt said. “We owe it to them to take their concerns seriously and implement reforms that restore safety, accountability and opportunity within our correctional system.”