Saratoga Standard

Over the last 15 years, the state has closed 25 correctional facilities. Now, state officials have picked their latest target for prison closure: Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock.

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has announced this closure with no plan to help mitigate the economic consequences on our region. The closure of Great Meadow will not only result in the loss of nearly 600 jobs and families from our region, but it will undermine the safety of correction officers, civilian staff, and inmates at other prisons. Without a sound reuse plan, the Great Meadow site will likely turn into blight on our community.

"If changes need to be made to our correctional system, then it should come with sound planning on how to fix it, adequate notice to all those affected and actions to ensure these facilities can become economic drivers for their home community," a concerned citizen stated. "I strongly oppose the closure of Great Meadow and urge DOCCS to reconsider this decision."

"But I also need your help," they added. "SIGN this petition and tell DOCCS, 'Don’t close Great Meadow!'"