September 11, 2026 – Senator Dan Stec issued this statement: “Given the governor’s commitment to shutting down correctional facilities across New York State, news that OGS is organizing a study for the construction of a new 3,000-bed correctional facility is a shock.
“In recent years and in defiance of all logic, New York State has closed down correctional facilities in the 45th Senate District and statewide. Many of these have been allowed to deteriorate into appalling, unsafe conditions. Given this shoddy track record of ownership, the governor and state officials should address their culpability in allowing sites that were once crucial sources of jobs and economic revenue to become blights on their home communities.
“Just as important as the state’s mismanagement of dormant correctional facilities, is its self-created officer staffing crisis. DOCCS data has shown that officer enrollment has dropped from 14,334 in September 2024 to 11,113 as of this month. Given the governor and DOCCS’ continued refusal to take officer safety seriously, New York State is struggling to secure currently open correctional facilities.
“Instead of commissioning a study, there are two better options. First, it’s beyond time to take action that protects COs. Enacting common sense safety reforms like repealing HALT and cracking down on contraband would help address the staffing crisis. After that, the governor and DOCCS should look at the recent closures they pushed for. Instead of constructing a costly new facility, reopen the recently shuttered facilities that are in good condition and should never have been closed to begin with.”
Sept. 11, 2026 – Assemblyman Cashman issued this statement: “The proposed state plan to build a new correctional facility is tone deaf. We don’t have enough staff to fill our current needs. We have many closed and standby-status facilities throughout the state that could reopen rather than wasting a projected nearly one billion dollars on a brand new facility. We still have national guard members in facilities because the state cannot fill correction officer roles. We still have widespread safety concerns and hazardous work conditions for the correction officers and civilians within the active facilities. This is where investment needs to be made.”
“I have reached out to the Governor to call for resources to be invested in safety measures for correction officers, civilian staff and their host communities. New York needs to reevaluate its priorities.”
