The Peru Gazette

DiNapoli Urges Policymakers to Examine Safely Reducing Number of Incarcerated Individuals

The state’s prison population declined by half from March 2008 to March 2021, but the population of individuals aged 50 and above grew slightly, according to a follow-up report by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. No age segment under the age of 50 showed an increase.

The number of older incarcerated individuals has grown from 7,511 in March 2008 to 7,586 in March 2021. As a percentage of the state’s shrinking prison population, however, the older population has doubled. Nearly 1-in-4 (24.3%) of the state’s 31,262 incarcerated individuals were 50 and above in March 2021. Thirteen years earlier, just 12% of the then prison population of 62,597 were 50 and over. The share who are at least 60 years old nearly tripled from 2.7% in March 2008 to 7.9% in March 2021.

“The safe and efficient operation of the corrections system is critically important to protecting public safety, providing incarcerated individuals with opportunities to find success upon release and ensuring wise use of public resources,” DiNapoli said. “Since our initial 2017 report detailing the rise in the number of aging incarcerated individuals, we found that despite reductions in the overall size of the population, the share of older prisoners is increasing. In the months ahead, policymakers should examine opportunities to reduce the population of incarcerated individuals 50 and over where public safety would not be compromised.”

Factors Contributing to Population Change

At least two trends may explain the net gain in older prisoners: one is the rise in the number of admissions of older individuals to Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) prisons for a new offense or parole violation, which increased by an average of 3.5% per year from 2008 to 2020. The average age of incarcerated individuals under custody in New York state prisons was 40.3 years in March 2021, an increase of 4.1 years, or 11.4%, since March 2008. The number and the percentage of older individuals released from prisons to parole supervision under DOCCS jurisdiction also rose.

The state’s prison population has been trending downward for years. The decline has resulted from various factors such as reduced admissions and releases to parole supervision, early release of certain individuals during the COVID pandemic and reforms to the Rockefeller Drug Laws in 2009. The most recent state report on the impact of the 2009 reforms shows significant declines in felony drug arrests (-41.7%), indictments (-42.6%) and prison time (-32.9%) from 2010 to 2019.

In addition, Raise the Age legislation enacted in 2017 and fully implemented in 2020 removed all individuals under the age of 18 from DOCCS prisons to facilities operated by the state Office of Children and Family Services. State prisons housed over 200 sixteen-and-seventeen-year-olds in March of 2008, but only 26 in March 2020.

Cost of Medical Care

Overall health care costs for the state prison system have averaged about $350 million per year since State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2012-13, peaking at just under $400 million in SFY 2016-17. Costs have trended significantly lower since, likely due in part to declines in the state prison population. Over the same period, health care costs for each incarcerated individual have averaged about $7,380 per year, 29% higher in SFY 2020-21 than they were eight years ago. DOCCS pays almost all the health care costs of incarcerated individuals in state prisons.

DOCCS has acknowledged the potential of higher medical costs for aging incarcerated individuals in testimony to the state legislature but has not provided specific information about those costs. DiNapoli said DOCCS should take the necessary steps to collect and share this information with policymakers to allow for more informed choices about the best way to address this challenge.

Click here to view the detailed report

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Plattsburgh, January 13, 2022. Due to the recent surge in cases, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) announced that local health departments are no longer required to contact trace for COVID-19. 

During this transition, the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) and Virtual Call Center (VCC) will continue to prioritize calls to lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases to residents who fall in high risks categories. These categories include children in K-12 school setting (ages 18 and younger), those 65 years of age and older, and those who live or work in a congregate setting. However, in light of the continued high volume of new daily cases, lab-confirmed positive cases should not anticipate receiving a phone call. 

Individuals testing positive for COVID-19, or those in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, are encouraged to access the NYSDOH’s website for the most up-to-date guidance for isolation and quarantine. If needed, individuals can also now request an affirmation of isolation or quarantine directly from NYS. 

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, stay home and isolate yourself from others for 5 days from symptom onset. Tell your close contacts that you have COVID-19 right away so they can monitor for symptoms. If your symptoms are improving, you may discontinue home isolation on day 6 but you must continue to wear a well-fitted face covering and social distance whenever around others for another 5 days. Visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/01/affirmation_of_isolation_011222.pdf to self-register for isolation paperwork. 

If you have tested positive using an at-home test, stay home and isolate yourself from others for 5 days from symptom onset. If your symptoms are improving, you may discontinue home isolation on day 6 but continue to wear a well-fitted face covering and social distance whenever around others for another 5 days. You do not need to seek additional testing unless you require isolation paperwork. 

Anyone who has been identified as a high-risk, close contact (i.e. household members, domestic partners) that are not fully vaccinated, including a booster if eligible, should stay home for 5 days from their last interaction with the positive case and monitor for symptoms. Visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/01/affirmation_of_quarantine_011222.pdf to self-register for quarantine paperwork. 

Additional information can be found by visiting https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/contact-tracing-frequently-asked-questions. 

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Adirondack Park, N.Y. The Board of Directors of AdkAction announces that, after nearly six successful years of expanding the membership and leading high impact projects in the Adirondack region, AdkAction’s Executive Director, Brittany Christenson, is leaving to take on a challenging new position with a social impact start-up company.  The Board has launched a nation-wide search to fill the Executive Director position. 

“For almost six years I have had the pleasure of working to help fulfill the mission of AdkAction,” Mrs. Christenson related. “In this time, the organization has accomplished more than I could have imagined. I am proud to have had a hand in helping AdkAction become a well known force for good in the Adirondacks. The Board of Directors and I have developed a talented staff and reliable funding streams, created positive outcomes for local residents, and engaged the communities of the Park in projects that improve the natural environment and quality of life in this spectacular place. I am confident that AdkAction’s story of impact in the region is still just beginning and I am excited to watch the organization continue to grow and flourish. I will continue to be a proud and active member of AdkAction.” 

Steve Maikowski, Chair of the Board, shared the news with AdkAction staff and the Board of Directors this week. “We are saddened by Brittany’s decision to leave, as we are losing an incredibly talented and accomplished leader, and a good friend and colleague. We wish her great success in her exciting new endeavor. Due to Brittany’s many accomplishments during her remarkable tenure, our new Executive Director will have a wonderful opportunity to build on and capitalize on all of Brittany’s outstanding work at AdkAction. This is also an exciting opportunity for AdkAction to bring in new leadership and new ideas as we develop our new Strategic Plan for 2023-2025.” Read more »

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PLATTSBURGH, NY (1/11/2022) – Beginning Wednesday, January 12, all visitors to the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) Skilled Nursing Facility must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result received within 24-hours of their visit, and must wear a surgical mask for the duration of their time in the facility, according to updated New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidelines announced recently by Governor Kathy Hochul.

The updated guidelines for nursing home visitation come as the Omicron COVID variant continues to present challenges in the North Country. CVPH Associate Vice President of Long Term Care Susan Biondolillo said the health and safety of the 33 residents and staff is always a top priority. “And these latest guidelines allow our residents to continue to benefit from the love and support of family and friends while reducing their risk of getting sick from COVID. ”

Visitors to SNF will be asked to present proof of a COVID-19 test at the Nurses’ Desk. At-home COVID tests and surgical masks are available upon request. Visitors who request a test will be required to administer the test themselves while at the premises before their visit begins. Surgical masks will also be provided upon request.

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“Hochul also warned that pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising, with 91% of children 5 to 11 still unvaccinated. She urged parents to get their children vaccinated, calling it “armor” to help children stay healthy through the pandemic.”

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Health care provider order required for test

PLATTSBURGH, NY (1/11/2022) – Beginning Monday, January 17^th, COVID-19 tests at The University of Vermont Health Network-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital’s (CVPH) COVID-19 testing site, located at 23 Hammond Lane, will require an appointment. Anyone requiring a test, with a physician’s order, should call (518) 314-3278 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. seven days a week to schedule your appointment.

“We have seen a huge surge in demand for COVID-19 testing since the start of the year,” Occupational Health & Wellness Regional Manager Gregory Freeman said. “We want to make sure we can safely meet that demand and make the process for our patients as convenient as possible. Using an appointment-based system will help us achieve that.”

Appointments are available at the Hammond Lane site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., seven days a week. Upon arrival, patients are asked to park in one of the spaces designated for COVID-19 testing, remain in their vehicle, and call the same phone number to check-in.

Patients are reminded to wear a mask and bring their health insurance card with them, as their insurance will be billed. Results will be sent to the ordering provider.

Anyone requiring a COVID-19 test before a scheduled procedure is asked to get tested in the first floor lab near the main lobby entrance at CVPH Main Campus, located at 75 Beekman Street. The lab is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. An appointment is not required for pre-procedure testing. For more information, visit the CVPH COVID-19 testing website atUVMHealth.org/CVPHCOVID19Testing.

“We have a great team that is dedicated to ensuring our patients get the care they need. The amount of tests we have conducted over the past couple of weeks is stunning, and I am grateful for the hard work from everyone involved. We also deeply appreciate the public’s patience as we work to make the process as efficient as possible,” Freeman said.

There are additional COVID-19 testing locations in the Plattsburgh area, including a new state-run site at Adirondack Hall on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus. Testing is available by appointment from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. To schedule an appointment there or find other testing locations near you, visit the New York State COVID-19 testing website.