GOP lawmakers take action in response to prison closures
By KELLY FAY
In reaction to the planned closure of four upstate prisons, three lawmakers are pushing for legislation that would increase transparency in decisions that would affect public safety. Sen. Kathleen Marchione, Assemblyman Tony Jordan and Assemblyman Jim Tedisco are drafting legislation to require consultation with the Legislature prior to any prison closures
In July, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision announced that Monterey Shock in Schuyler County, Butler in Wayne County, Chateaugay in Franklin County and Mt. McGregor in Saratoga County would be closing by July 2014. They are the most recent of 15 prisons that have been targeted for closure since 2011. The bill would require any proposed prison closures are submitted to the legislature a year in advance for debate and vote. Jordan, R-Jackson, expects to see it drafted within the next two weeks.
"I strongly suspect to find support across the state and across party lines because this is about transparency and about the legislative process," Jordan said. "It's about holding the executive branch accountable for its actions, which is largely done behind closed doors without clarity and without details to allow for anyone to determine if it's a good decision."
Jordan is concerned about the lack of information about the closure plan, but also about the validity of the information that has been provided. He says the numbers used for justifying the closures are similar to those used in the past and is concerned that they may result in inmate releases or double bunking due to overcrowding.
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http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-09-27-85229.113122-GOP-lawmakers-take-action-in-response-to-prison-closures.html
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