Hudson prison to close
According to the political blog of the Albany Times-Union, New York State plans to close the Hudson Correctional Facility.
The buildings housing the Hudson prison were formerly a reformatory, The New York Training School for Girls. Reputedly, Ella Fitzgerald was sent here in her youth. According the State's press release, the "campus" currently has 422 beds.
I'm not certain how changed the grounds and buildings have become during its years as a prison. But from both an economic development and a historic preservation perspective, it would be terrific to try to attract an educational institution (a satellite of Bard College, for example), a technical or crafts school, a museum, or a thoughtful housing developer to help replace the lost jobs at the prison -- ideally, something that would complement the City of Hudson's people and assets.
The State indicates plans to continue the 55-person work release program in Hudson, but it seems hard to imagine that this large and valuable property would not be a potential development site, given that the work release program could be managed out of a much smaller facility. The release does note that the Hudson site "faces costly capital investment needs."
There ought to be some stellar views of the Hudson River from some of the buildings, but I've not been tempted to commit a petty crime in order to find out for sure. Here's a Google Earth view of the grounds:
Posted on January 11, 2008 | Permalink
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I must admit that any of these would be stellar ideas for such a grand piece of real estate. However shouldn't we be thinking about the 270 jobs that are going to be lost due to this facility closing...not to mention the revenue lost from these people living and buying in our communities???!!! I would hope that our main focus would be lobbying all of our political representatives to ensure that this would not happen.
The loss of this facility will be devasting to ALL of our local municipalities. Inmates are taken out on a daily work crews to perform a multitude of tasks for not only municipalities but most of our non-profit organizations ( ei, churches, fire companies, american legions, and I could go on and on)These inmates also perform alot of community service during the winter shoveling snow and in the summer mowing lawns for our cemetaries. Start adding up how much more it will cost us in additonal taxpayer dollars to have these services performed as well as the crushing blow to our already ailing non-profit organizations.
...by the way...there are NO wonderful views of the Hudson River from any of Hudson Correctional Facilities buildings!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mary-Beth at Jan 14, 2008 2:55:53 PM
HELP US SAVE HUDSON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY PLEASE
On January 11, 2008, Hudson Correctional Facility’s
employee’s received word that the doors will close in twelve months time. This decision was brought about by Commissioner of Corrections, Brian Fischer.
This facility employs New York State Correction’s Officers, otherwise
known as the (Forgotten Cops), and hard working Civilian Workers. It also provides many programs that help to reform inmates housed there, now at full capacity.
We need not forget the Work Release Program these inmates carry out daily costing the state little.
Many people might not realize how important this facility, and the employees, are to the economy of Hudson, New York.
On January 29, 2008, Governor Spitzer, was asked to hear our voices during a meeting regarding the closure of Hudson Correctional Facility. However, he did not attend himself. Instead Brian Fischer, Commissioner of Corrections, and the originator of this idea appeared. Approximately 400 people standing strong attended this meeting. We all had short notice regarding this event. This was a small portion of our voice considering the amount of notice given. This crowd of 400, or so, included not only Correction’s Officers, Civilian Workers from the Facility, Police Officer’s, Fireman, NYSCOPBA President Larry Flanagan, Residents of Hudson and surrounding areas, Employees from Price Chopper, Wal-Mart, Mr. Daniel Farrell, a long time resident and employee of Todd Farrell’s Car Care Center, located less than five minutes from the Facility. This list I offer giving only a small idea to our evening speakers opposing this closing. The room stood silent as even some wives and children stood before you, Mr. Fischer, voicing their opinions. You were cold-hearted to them, as they gave you respect along with their questions.
Also, attending were Senator, Stephen Saland, Assemblyman, Marcus Molinaro, Hudson’s Mayor Rick Scalera, Chairman of Columbia County Board of Supervisors, Art Baer, all voicing their opinions opposing the closure of this fine Facility. Please forgive me if I have left anyone out. You all showed such class as you expressed the reasons why you opposed the closure.
We walked in this meeting with hope in our hearts, and walked out feeling defeated and angered. Mr. Brian Fischer, you clearly have only one agenda-closing our Facility. As I heard one voice state
“You seem to have tunnel vision toward this matter Sir!” You
continuously avoided answering many important questions. You showed no compassion whatsoever. I understand you had a great deal against you while on stage facing us. However, you showed us your true colors.
With all due respect Sir, you obviously had your dollar amounts
wrong regarding the savings by closing this facility. Hudson’s
many Employees, and Officials who spoke that evening, had actual facts and figures to prove you wrong. At one point you actually seemed surprised that they did Mr. Fischer.
With an already failing economy in Hudson, New York, you will help destroy this City by closing the Hudson Correctional Facility.
Our Officer’s and Civilian workers have no choice in this situation, no matter how you tried to sugar coat it.
You mentioned the Officer’s and Civilian workers were not being pushed out, yet, you gave them twelve months to find other options. You made it clear that this was all going to take place no matter what. You are only one voice in this matter, Sir. We stand united in this fight. You may win however, we will still not lose hope until those doors are closed for good. Do the people in Hudson, and surrounding areas realize that the grounds, and the facility must still be maintained after the closure? What will you do with this facility thereafter?
Do the people of our area realize that our Officer’s must put in
transfers to other facilities?
If they do not request transfers, they will most likely be assigned jobs hours away from their family and friends. The money we will spend will no longer be placed within the Hudson, New York area. Some Officers and Civilian Workers will be forced to sell their homes, choose new doctors, dentists, shopping centers, possibly schools for our children in other areas. Need I say more?
Has anyone noticed that there is a halt on construction for the new shopping center located in Hudson, might you guess possibly why? This is the American dream and you are taking it from us. Can you even imagine the thoughts of employees that have been at the facility for 10 years or more? Our Children and Grandchildren go to school here, activities will change, spouses of HCF employees might also need to make changes.
We need not even bring up the fact that these fine men and women Officers have gone without a contract again for almost eleven months. I can only wonder how long it will take this time to settle? The most recent contract was settled I believe in March 2007, taking approximately four years to end.
The nearest Prisons are hours away for most, and many of the Civilian workers will lose their jobs if they cannot find other employment soon. Mr. Fischer, twelve months can go by fast when you are trying to find a way to provide for your family. With gas prices sky high, the transfers will greatly affect the family budget.
How can you claim you are saving money when you are just sending our Hudson Correctional Facility employees further away. The Officers are still going to be paid.
It is most obvious that you have not thought this through thoroughly. You Sir, have no willingness to reconsider. I wonder if Governor Spitzer realizes the total mess you have placed here. Needless to say the amount of votes he will lose, if he plans on running for Governor if this Facility closes in the future. Governor Spitzer, where are you when we need your help? Mr. Fischer, I hope you get a good bonus for this idea, while you destroy so many lives in the process.
My name is Sharon O’Connor, proud wife of a Hudson Correction’s Officer, married for 26 years. I am also strong enough to voice my opinion to you, on behalf of the entire Hudson Correctional Facility Family of employees.
Mr. Brian Fischer, please explain to our very young Grandchildren why they will not be able to see Grandpa often, as he must travel hours away to another Prison Facility because you did not do your homework regarding this entire situation.
On this note, I will end saying please all people opposed to the closing of Hudson Correctional Facility, do not give up our fight. Take the time to contact Governor Spitzer at 518-474-8390, or email to www.ny.gov., and once you are signed in -click on “contact Governor” to express your displeasure with the purposed closing. Also, please write, email, or phone your government leaders in your area.
To all Hudson Correctional Facility Employees, you do not walk alone in this fight. Thank you!
Sharon O’Connor
New York
Posted by: Sharon at Feb 8, 2008 7:37:31 AM
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