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Today's Poll: Should New York close prisons as inmate population declines?

By Howard B. Owens
Howard B. Owens

Put them in the empty beds in other prisons.

The prison population is 46,973, down from 56,419 in 2011.

Eliminating 1,200 beds would save $35 million.

Apr 4, 2019, 12:39pm Permalink
Daniel Norstrand

So either more than half of the people are uninformed or they believe government should provide jobs even when they're not needed. Or maybe it's because cuomo (who I don't like at all) wants it. Head shaker. Thanks for informing Batavian.

Apr 4, 2019, 1:15pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Daniel, things like this are reminders why its so hard to cut the size of government. Every special interest has its spending they want to protect.

Apr 4, 2019, 1:55pm Permalink
John Roach

Before any are closed, he needs to eliminate the double bunked dorms and cells. An example is Attica, a maximum security facility. Attica has over 100 cells with 2 inmates in a cell built in the 1930's for 1 inmate.

Apr 4, 2019, 3:29pm Permalink
david spaulding

Cannabis will be legalized sometime around june/july thus freeing all the pot smokers. Empty cells and empty jails equals closures and layoffs which won't amount to even one cent in tax cuts.

Apr 4, 2019, 4:03pm Permalink
John Roach

David, not really. Most in State prison for pot are not for using or buying, but for selling. And most of them also have other crimes along with it. Where you'll see a drop is in the local County jails, not State Prison.

Apr 4, 2019, 4:28pm Permalink
Daniel Norstrand

I absolutely agree Howard. #8 bolsters the need to stop the push for a new jail. A jail that seems overcrowded at a time when prisons have been emptying. Hmmmm. What was that about "special interests" Howard? Very interesting that the use of electronic monitoring devices is sorely lacking according to the legislature's own "commissioned" study.

Apr 4, 2019, 7:06pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

The issues with the jail go far beyond the inmate population. There is a lack of female housing, of course; the lack of modern facilities to deal with a changing inmate population; the complete and utter deterioration of the present facility. And last but not least but the mere fact that the state is requiring a new jail.

Apr 5, 2019, 9:28am Permalink
Daniel Norstrand

The complete and utter? Uh, sounds like propaganda. A facility made of brick and steel should last... indefinitely? If properly maintained. Was there some negligence in the upkeep?

Apr 5, 2019, 11:03pm Permalink
John Roach

Daniel, building made of brick and steel do not last forever. And a good part of the current jail (the part you see on Main Street) is in very poor condition.

Apr 6, 2019, 6:30am Permalink
Daniel Norstrand

Buildings that are maintained last as long as they're maintained unless stricken by some calamity like tornado or earthquake, or political ploy. There are buildings in this country estimated to be 1000 years old and they are made of brick. Allowing the jail building to fall into disrepair looks like another ploy. Or maybe just severe mismanagement. The jail building is really quite new when compared to the vast majority of the County's other buildings. Try again.

Apr 6, 2019, 1:40pm Permalink

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