Governor Spitzer's proposal to create a commission to determine the closure of some of New York's prisons presents an opportunity to examine whatever changes are needed in the state's current prison system.
Certainly there are improvements that could be made, but I am deeply concerned that the creation of such a commission would jeopardize the future of facilities such as the Auburn Correctional Facility.
Any efforts to reorganize the prison system must have the full support and endorsement of New York's correctional officers and other employees that are involved in the day-to-day operation of our prison system.
Any proposal that does not utilize the expertise and insights of our correctional officers is destined to fail.
Since 2000, the ranks of New York's correctional officers have decreased by 1,200 officers. These brave men and women are facing increasingly dangerous conditions because of the nature and number of inmates in New York's prisons.
The reduction of inmates in New York's prison system has been in minimum-security facilities. Maximum security prisons, such as Auburn Correctional Facility and Five Points Correctional Facility in Seneca County, continue to be filled with the most violent and dangerous criminals.
Currently, fewer than 20,000 prisoners - less than one-third of the entire inmate population in New York - are actually housed behind bars in the state prison system. Many violent offenders are being housed in dormitory rooms instead of being secured in a prison cell where they will be less likely to inflict harm on another inmate or corrections officer.
It is time to drastically reduce the use of dormitory-housing for criminals that have been convicted of the most heinous and violent crimes.
Spitzer's willingness to put prison issues at the forefront of his agenda is an opportunity to restructure New York's correctional system. We need to adopt new initiatives to right-size the prison system for the benefit of the taxpayers, while providing safer prisons for corrections officers and inmates.
Over the next several weeks, I will be convening hearings to examine in full detail the governor's proposal to establish a prison closing commission and to interview members of Spitzer's administration on their positions on a number of criminal justice issues.
The hearings will be an excellent opportunity to begin a thorough review to develop a more complete and comprehensive plan for the state's entire correctional system and the communities which host those facilities.
Any efforts to reorganize the prison system must have the full support and endorsement of New York's correctional officers and other employees that are involved in the day-to-day operation of our prison system.
Any proposal that does not utilize the expertise and insights of our correctional officers is destined to fail.
Since 2000, the ranks of New York's correctional officers have decreased by 1,200 officers. These brave men and women are facing increasingly dangerous conditions because of the nature and number of inmates in New York's prisons.
The reduction of inmates in New York's prison system has been in minimum-security facilities. Maximum security prisons, such as Auburn Correctional Facility and Five Points Correctional Facility in Seneca County, continue to be filled with the most violent and dangerous criminals.
Currently, fewer than 20,000 prisoners - less than one-third of the entire inmate population in New York - are actually housed behind bars in the state prison system. Many violent offenders are being housed in dormitory rooms instead of being secured in a prison cell where they will be less likely to inflict harm on another inmate or corrections officer.
It is time to drastically reduce the use of dormitory-housing for criminals that have been convicted of the most heinous and violent crimes.
Spitzer's willingness to put prison issues at the forefront of his agenda is an opportunity to restructure New York's correctional system. We need to adopt new initiatives to right-size the prison system for the benefit of the taxpayers, while providing safer prisons for corrections officers and inmates.
Over the next several weeks, I will be convening hearings to examine in full detail the governor's proposal to establish a prison closing commission and to interview members of Spitzer's administration on their positions on a number of criminal justice issues.
The hearings will be an excellent opportunity to begin a thorough review to develop a more complete and comprehensive plan for the state's entire correctional system and the communities which host those facilities.
