Two NYS maximum security prisons to close in November
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The Hochul administration will close two upstate New York maximum security prisons citing a continuing overall drop in the incarcerated population, cost savings, staffing shortages and authorization from the state Legislature in its latest budget.
The Legislature approved a provision in Hochul’s 2024-2025 executive budget which backed the closure of up to five state correctional facilities.
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision settled on the closure of two: Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock, about four hours north of the city, and Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, just over two hours north of the city.
Great Meadow currently houses 480 prisoners with a capacity of 1,595 and a staff of 559. Sullivan contains 426 prisoners out of a capacity of 560 and a current staff of 371.
“DOCCS carefully conducted a review of the operations at its 44 correctional facilities to determine which facilities to close,” the agency said in a statement.
“This review was based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, diminished populations, physical infrastructure, program offerings and whether they can be relocated to other institutions.”
The size of the state prison population has been on a long decline, from a high of 72,773 people in 1999 to 33,419 as of Thursday — a drop of 54%.
During his decade-long tenure, Gov. Andrew Cuomo closed 18 prisons while Gov. Hochul has closed six more.
The closure process will begin immediately with the facilities officially closing on Nov. 6, 2024, the agency said.
“The decision to close these facilities was a difficult one for all involved,” the statement continued, noting no staff layoffs are expected.
“Across the country, correctional agencies continue to struggle to meet staffing demands, and the department is no exception.”
The agency said if efforts to recruit new staff to fill open slots are unsuccessful, more prison closures could be considered. It’s as yet unclear how the closed prisons will be used.
