North Country Leader

Today, President Summers and Executive Vice President Keough announced the closure of the Great Meadow Correctional Facility and the Sullivan Correctional Facility. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision stated that these facilities must close within the next 90 days. The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association Inc. (NYSCOPBA) opposes these closures, describing them as a temporary fix that does not address the staffing issues affecting the state.

In the FY2025 Budget agreement, Governor Hochul was granted unilateral authority to close up to five prisons across New York State. A decision typically involving multiple stakeholders now rests solely with the governor, allowing for the potential closure of three additional prisons.

Blankenbush commented, “I am relieved these prison closures did not come to our district. While we made it out unscathed, the closure of the two prisons in Sullivan and Washington counties may only be the beginning as the door has been left open for more closures. My colleagues and I in the Assembly need to stand against these closures that do nothing but harm the communities in which they are located. I am committed to supporting Sullivan and Washington counties as they try to navigate these unprecedented closures. If we do not advocate for our communities these closures will continue.”