West Hudson Valley News

Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C-Schoharie) expressed shock and frustration over the recent announcement to close Sullivan and Great Meadow Correctional Facilities without proper coordination with local governments and facility employees. The closures, part of the state budget authorized by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, are set to occur by November 6.

Tague, a vocal supporter of New York’s correction officers, had previously raised concerns about this proposal during a press conference earlier this year. Despite his efforts, the decision has moved forward.

“My Minority colleagues and I advocated against this proposal because we knew it would result in an unorganized disaster that would leave hardworking men and women without a job, would displace a prison population to a degree that becomes challenging to manage and could potentially result in a further rise in dangerousness in upstate communities,” Tague said.

He continued, “Our state continually stands by while crime runs rampant, and for many correction officers and their families, the lack of support they’ve been feeling up to this point can only be intensified through this impersonal and unprofessional closing procedure. I am heartbroken for the hardworking New Yorkers who put their lives on the line every day as they work in these facilities keeping communities safe, only to have their government turn around and put them down with these proceedings. This state has the capacity to do better, yet under current leadership, it fails at every opportunity.”