Res. No. 445
Resolution calling upon the Governor and the New York State Legislature to take all appropriate actions to identify and close underutilized state prison facilities.
By Council Members Crowley, Comrie, Ferreras, Fidler, Gonzalez, James, Mendez, Vann and Halloran
Whereas, According to the New York State Department of Correctional Services ("DOCS"), New York's prison population dropped by nearly eight percent in the last three years, from 63,304 at the beginning of 2007 to 58,378 at the end of 2009; and
Whereas, This is a total drop in New York's prison population of 9 percent since its peak of 71,538 on Dec. 12, 1999; and
Whereas, The population decline is expected to continue; by the end of the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the population is projected to decrease by below 2009-10 levels; and
Whereas, As a result of this population decrease, DOCS expects to continue consolidation by closing four additional state facilities; Lyon Mountain Correctional Facility; Butler Correctional Facility; Ogdensburg Correctional Facility; and Moriah Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility by April 2011, thus eliminating capacity; and
Whereas, The closure of these additional four facilities is expected to yield a savings of $3 million in operating costs in fiscal year 2010-2011 and $45.8 million in fiscal year 2011-2012; and
Whereas, These closures would provide a tremendous savings to New York State, which can be reinvested in DOCS managed programs; and
Whereas, During these austere fiscal times, DOCS should aim to identify other adult prison facilities that could be closed or downsized as a result of the declining state prison population; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Governor and the New York State Legislature to take all appropriate actions to identify and close underutilized state prison facilities.
WJH
LS# 937
5/28/10