Saturday, July 20, 2024

Why Not Here?

Yesterday, it was announced that two upstate New York prisons would be closing, effective November 6: Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Washington County and Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg. You can learn about it in this report on WAMC: "New York closing two upstate prisons." As the report points out, "The state budget signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in April allowed for the closure of up to five state correctional facilities." Why, oh why, wasn't the Hudson Correctional Facility designated for closure?


According to the 2023 PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Audit) Report, submitted in November 2023, there were 92 inmates at the Hudson Correctional Facility at the time the audit has done and an average daily population of 106 during the twelve months prior to the audit. (The facility capacity is 261.) The audit also revealed that, during 2023, there were 234 staff members at the facility who had contact with the inmates. That's more than two staff members for every inmate. There is no indication of the number of staff members who did not have contact with the inmates. 

Again we ask: Why, oh why, wasn't the Hudson Correctional Facility designated for closure?
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5 comments:

  1. SlowArtJuly 20, 2024 at 3:39 PM

    Probably afraid of the same thing that happened the last time they tried to close it. A barrage of complaints to politicians from employees and their supporters who were afraid of relocating or losing their jobs. Politicians who likewise are afraid of losing their cushy government jobs.

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  2. peterJuly 20, 2024 at 4:17 PM

    Historic Hudson has a great proposal to create a public park on 90 acres of prison ground. Would love to see that happen.

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  3. BILLJuly 20, 2024 at 9:55 PM

    Go to the city court building where court is only in session on 3 days for no more than 3 hours each day. There are two (county, state?) officers being paid to sit or stand at the metal detector for 8 hours 5 days a week even just for people wanting to visit the court clerk's office to pay a traffic ticket when court is not in session. It's as absurd as the prison staff situation is.

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  4. Chad WecklerJuly 21, 2024 at 9:19 AM

    Many are hoping for a closure. The property could then house an art museum and park.

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  5. concerned citizenJuly 22, 2024 at 9:07 AM

    This community needs employment.
    Another Park? How many do we need?
    OMI, Olana, Riverfront, Dutchmen's landing.
    Sorry to say but not everyone can make a living selling over expensive stuff on Warren street.
    They tried closing the prison once before
    and Hudson wasn't going for it, people spoke
    and made their voices heard.

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