Study outlines negative impact of Great Meadow closure

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Since New York State says most of its correctional facilities are operating below capacity and impacted by staffing shortages, Governor Hochul announced that up to five prisons would be closed. Great Meadow Correctional Facility is among them. A study released by Washington County finds that closing the Comstock, Fort Ann prison would negatively impact the county.

According to the Camoin Associates study, 649 county residents would lose their jobs — 4 percent of Washington County’s (14,861 jobs) workforce. Those corrections workers are among the highest-paid employees in the county. According to the report, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Commissioner Daniel Martuscello says the closure was done in a manner to encourage employees of closed facilities to find work at other prisons instead of local employers. 

It adds that the nearest prisons for employee job transfers — Coxackie, Sing Sing and Dannemora — are two hours away making commuting unlikely. This would likely cause outward migration from the county.   

The study also says the nearby Washington County Correctional Facility might accept 70 employees immediately. Those transfers would be based on seniority. Mayor Paul Labas of nearby Granville is worried about the closure’s effect on his village, especially on schools.  

“The state aid the amount of money we get per student, you know that's out there if you lose families and because there are no jobs and people are forced to move to where the job goes or they have to find different jobs altogether it could be devastating on the community. It could be devastating on the school system,” Labas said via phone.

The report estimates that Granville & Whitehall could shed 4 percent of its student population, with Fort Ann losing a staggering 9 percent if parents relocate for work.

Small businesses are expected to take a hit, as they are the majority of the county’s employers. But even chain stores like Stewarts are estimated to lose $500,000 annually with fewer customers. The county expects to see a sales revenue loss of $197 Million. 

Mayor Labas however isn’t counting on a mass exodus from Granville, because their employment sector is more robust.

“We have a new Amazon facility that’s just opened up. We have a telescope casual folding furniture company that's been here for 125 years," said Labas. "We have a lot of facilities Saint Cobain thankfully. Things that some of the other areas do not have” the village mayor added.

Great Meadow will close on November 6. Sullivan Correctional Facility in Sullivan County is also slated for closure.