Correctional Association of New York Commends Governor's Announcement on Prison Closures
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Friday, July 19, 2024
New York, NY – The Correctional Association of New York (CANY) commends Governor Kathy Hochul for announcing the closure of Great Meadow and Sullivan Correctional Facilities.
The closure of Great Meadow and Sullivan, both of which reported significant shortages in medical and support staff, presents an opportunity to allocate personnel to understaffed facilities, easing systemic pressures. These closures also promote more efficient resource utilization within a state prison system operating substantially below capacity. Additionally, by strategically selecting prisons situated near other correctional facilities and facilitating employment opportunities at alternative state agencies, Governor Hochul is ensuring a smoother transition and continued employment for impacted staff during this challenging period.
Great Meadow Correctional Facility
Current Capacity: As of February 1, 2024, the prison has a population of 438 incarcerated individuals with a total capacity of 1595, for an occupancy rate of 27%.
Staffing: As of January 4, 2023, Great Meadow reported staffing vacancies in support services (29%), health services (22%), programs (11%), and security (4%).
Co-Location: Great Meadow is co-located with Washington Correctional Facility in Comstock, NY
Sullivan Correctional Facility
Current Capacity: As of February 1, 2024, the facility has a population of 415 incarcerated individuals with a total capacity of 560, for an occupancy rate of 75%.
Staffing: As of January 4, 2023, Sullivan Correctional Facility reported staffing vacancies in health services (56%), support services (26%), programs (18%), and security (7%).
Co-Location: Sullivan is co-located with Woodbourne CF in Fallsburg, NY.
CANY applauds Governor Hochul’s bold leadership in announcing these prison closures. We encourage her to build upon this momentum by closing up to three additional prisons within the next year, as empowered by this year's budget, to further prioritize the safety and well-being of all those impacted by the state’s prison system.
About CANY
CANY, under §146, of New York’s Correction Law, is charged with visiting and examining the state's correctional facilities to identify and report on prison conditions, the treatment of incarcerated individuals, and the administration of policy promulgated by the executive and legislature. Founded in 1844 by concerned citizens of the state and deputized by the state to provide monitoring and oversight of the state’s prisons in 1846, CANY is one of the first organizations in the country prescribed to administer civilian oversight of prisons.