Hochul Announces Upstate Prison Cuts: Bare Hill to Close, Collins to Restructure

Significant Shift with NYS Corrections

Kathy Hochul’s administration announced a significant shift in its correctional system on Tuesday.

According to sources, Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Franklin County will permanently close, while Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County will undergo significant restructuring.

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The move comes after this year’s state budget authorized the closure of up to three prisons.

Changes Made Following Extensive Review

In a statement to Spectrum News 1, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) said that officials conducted an extensive review of all 42 state correctional facilities before determining which would be affected.

According to sources, the review included factors such as available beds, infrastructure conditions, program offerings, medical and mental-health services, facility security levels, and whether staff could be reassigned without significant disruption.

Bare Hill Closed, Collins to be Consolidated

According to DOCCS, these criteria ultimately pointed to Bare Hill as the facility selected for closure.

Along with shutting Bare Hill, officials confirmed that part of the Collins Correctional Facility campus will be consolidated to “more efficiently deploy staff and manage the facility.”

Despite the changes, DOCCS emphasized that they do not anticipate any layoffs.
“DOCCS will work closely with the various bargaining units to provide staff with opportunities for priority placement via voluntary transfers, as well as priority employment at other facilities or other state agencies,” the department said.

State prisons typically close 90 days after such announcements, meaning transitions could begin as early as winter.

This is a developing story; more updates will be shared as details become available.