titantoo
07-07-2005, 07:58 PM
State consolidating dorms at minimum security prisons
By MICHAEL GORMLEY
Associated Press Writer
July 7, 2005, 7:48 PM EDT
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Pataki administration this week is moving prisoners out of 11 minimum security housing units as part of a consolidation aimed at improving efficiency and safety in prisons as the state's inmate population declines.
The measure won't permanently close the "dormitories" at six minimum-security prisons statewide, said James Flateau, spokesman for the state Department of Correctional Services. Instead, the facilities will remain available for near-immediate reuse if the population rises, he said.
There will be no layoffs, Flateau said. The consolidation will put the corrections officers from shuttered dormitories in a "resource pool." From there, they will work shifts filling in for absences throughout the same prison, Flateau said.
The union, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, is concerned the move could cost jobs and be the first step to closing some of the prisons, said Lawrence Flanagan, the union's president-elect.
Flanagan plans to meet with state officials this week. Flateau said the union's outgoing president, Richard Harcrow, didn't return repeated calls in recent weeks about the plan.
The Pataki administration has been thwarted by the state Legislature in its attempt to close prisons and save money despite the significant decline in prisoners. Closing a prison or reducing staffing is a politically sensitive measure because the facilities are often among the largest employers in the rural areas where they are located.
The state's population of minimum security prisoners is 780, down from 1,528 prisoners in 1996, Flateau said.
Camp Georgetown in Madison County, for example, has 262 beds, but just 119 inmates. One dorm of 70 beds will be vacated under the plan. The state will reduce dorms in its minimum security facilities at Camp Gabriels, Franklin County; Camp Pharsalia, Chenango County; Mt. McGregor Camp, Saratoga County; Butler Camp in Wayne County; and Camp Summit in Schoharie County.
The Legislature will analyze the plan to make sure there is no threat to corrections-officer safety, said Sen. Michael Nozzolio, a Seneca County Republican and chairman of his chamber's corrections committee. He said it's too early to tell if the Legislature has further concerns with the plan.
By MICHAEL GORMLEY
Associated Press Writer
July 7, 2005, 7:48 PM EDT
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Pataki administration this week is moving prisoners out of 11 minimum security housing units as part of a consolidation aimed at improving efficiency and safety in prisons as the state's inmate population declines.
The measure won't permanently close the "dormitories" at six minimum-security prisons statewide, said James Flateau, spokesman for the state Department of Correctional Services. Instead, the facilities will remain available for near-immediate reuse if the population rises, he said.
There will be no layoffs, Flateau said. The consolidation will put the corrections officers from shuttered dormitories in a "resource pool." From there, they will work shifts filling in for absences throughout the same prison, Flateau said.
The union, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, is concerned the move could cost jobs and be the first step to closing some of the prisons, said Lawrence Flanagan, the union's president-elect.
Flanagan plans to meet with state officials this week. Flateau said the union's outgoing president, Richard Harcrow, didn't return repeated calls in recent weeks about the plan.
The Pataki administration has been thwarted by the state Legislature in its attempt to close prisons and save money despite the significant decline in prisoners. Closing a prison or reducing staffing is a politically sensitive measure because the facilities are often among the largest employers in the rural areas where they are located.
The state's population of minimum security prisoners is 780, down from 1,528 prisoners in 1996, Flateau said.
Camp Georgetown in Madison County, for example, has 262 beds, but just 119 inmates. One dorm of 70 beds will be vacated under the plan. The state will reduce dorms in its minimum security facilities at Camp Gabriels, Franklin County; Camp Pharsalia, Chenango County; Mt. McGregor Camp, Saratoga County; Butler Camp in Wayne County; and Camp Summit in Schoharie County.
The Legislature will analyze the plan to make sure there is no threat to corrections-officer safety, said Sen. Michael Nozzolio, a Seneca County Republican and chairman of his chamber's corrections committee. He said it's too early to tell if the Legislature has further concerns with the plan.