To solve for $y$ in the equation $-2x + 10y = -16$ when $x = -2$, you can follow these steps:

1. Substitute $x = -2$ into the equation: $-2(-2) + 10y = -16$

2. Simplify the equation: $4 + 10y = -16$

3. Subtract 4 from both sides of the equation to isolate the term with $y$: $10y = -16 - 4$

4. Simplify the right side: $10y = -20$

5. Divide both sides by 10 to solve for $y$: $y = \frac{-20}{10}$

6. Simplify the fraction: $y = -2$

Therefore, when $x = -2$, the value of $y$ is $-2$.