Smullen: Shutting Down Bare Hill Correctional Facility

A Statement from Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R, C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) in response to Bare Hill Correctional Facility closure announcement.

“It is deeply concerning to hear the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) will be closing the Bare Hill Correctional Facility in the Town of Malone.

“With recent reports indicating the facility’s current inmate population is more than 700, it is unbelievable to assume all 700 inmates will simply be displaced across other correctional facilities in the state without overwhelming the staff. While, according to DOCCS, the 293 correctional staff who are currently employed at Bare Hill will be provided opportunities for priority placement at other facilities in the state, the announcement of this closure still places a heavy burden on 293 families just before the holiday season.

“This blatant disregard for correctional officers and their families is unacceptable but has unfortunately become a pattern: More than 2,000 correctional officers were let go after participating in the strikes for safer work conditions earlier this year, prisons statewide remain more than 4,700 correctional officers short, and now, 185 correctional officers and 108 correctional staff face an uncertain future. I strongly oppose the closure of this facility and encourage other state and local leaders to do the same. Those who work tirelessly to keep us safe each day deserve our support.”

Assemblyman Robert Smullen represents the 118th Assembly District, which includes Hamilton County and parts of Montgomery, Fulton, Herkimer, and Oneida counties.