Editor’s Note: Click here for the petition.

Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia) is unveiling a petition after Gov. Cuomo’s announcement that his administration will close the Livingston Correctional Facility in Sonyea, New York. Livingston Correctional Facility is one of the two state prisons to be closed on September 1, 2019. Byrnes created the petition for residents to voice their opposition to the closure.

Byrnes and local officials are in the process of FOILing documents to find answers to why the Cuomo administration has targeted Livingston County. Initially, “poor facility conditions” was listed as the reason for why the facility was chosen. Byrnes disagreed, citing her recent visit to the facility. The building has undergone electrical upgrades, water infrastructure upgrades and a roofing upgrade that will continue after the facility’s closure.

“Closing Livingston Correctional Facility will have devastating effects on the community. Over 300 jobs of our friends, family and neighbors will be lost. I stand in support of the dedicated correctional officers and their families and I will work with local officials to find answers,” said Byrnes.