Today, President Summers and Executive Vice President Keough announced the closure of the Great Meadow Correctional Facility as well as the Sullivan Correctional Facility. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision announced these facilities must close within the next 90 days. The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association Inc. (NYSCOPBA) stands firm in its opposition to these closures as it is a temporary fix that does not combat the staffing issue plaguing the state.

In the FY2025 Budget agreement, Gov. Hochul was given the unilateral ability to close up to five prisons across the state. A decision that is usually in the hands of multiple different people now lies directly with the governor, and at the snap of her fingers three more prisons across the state could close.

Blankenbush said, “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.”