Governor Hochul to Close Another State Prison
Governor Cathy Hochul is expected to announce the closure of another state prison on Tuesday, as her administration continues to grapple with a persistent staffing crisis, according to reports.
The plan includes partial closures of the Bear Hill Correctional Facility in Franklin County and the Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County, as confirmed by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) in a statement.
This decision comes after Democratic lawmakers approved a measure in this year’s state budget, which permits Hochul to close up to three prisons.
Hochul’s announcement coincides with her scheduled trip to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, where she aims to fundraise and connect with supporters for her re-election campaign in 2026.
Earlier this year, there was an illegal three-week strike involving thousands of prison officers, prompting the state to dismiss approximately 2,000 officers when the strike was declared over in April.
The current prison system is reportedly short by more than 4,000 staff members, leading to the state paying millions for National Guard support at facilities affected by the staffing shortages.
Last year, New York state closed two prisons right before Christmas.
While DOCCS claims that staff from Bear Hill will be offered positions at other facilities, it remains unclear how many of the 293 employees assigned there will be able to move. There has been no confirmation from DOCCS regarding potential layoffs related to the closure of Collins.
Both facilities are described as remaining in a “ready state,” suggesting they may not be permanently shut down.
Hochul’s decision has faced backlash from critics, particularly from northern representatives.
“This is yet another heartless announcement just before the holiday season,” remarked Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who represents Bear Hill and is running against Hochul in the upcoming gubernatorial race. “Mark my words. Next year, correctional officers from across the state will join our coalition to fire Kathy Hochul to save New York,” she added.
