New York State to Close Two Upstate Prisons

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision will close two upstate maximum security prisons, Great Meadow and Sullivan Correctional Facilities, in November, affecting nearly 1,000 inmates, citing cost savings, staffing shortages, and declining incarcerated populations. The closures, authorized by the state Legislature, aim to reallocate staff and inmates to other facilities while minimizing layoffs. The decision faced backlash from correction officers and Republican lawmakers, criticizing the impact on local communities and questioning the reasoning behind the closures. Despite assurances of no staff layoffs, concerns remain about the broader implications on the correctional system and affected personnel.