CLOSING PRISONS IS NOT A SOLUTION

A Column from the Desk of Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C-Deerpark)

As much as many of my colleagues across the political aisle would like to think otherwise, prisons and correctional facilities are still a necessity in this day and age. The protection they provide the surrounding community, the services they offer to convicted criminals and the opportunity they offer to hardworking and dedicated individuals, particularly those that live north of New York City, cannot be understated. They are still an intrinsic part of many communities today, which is why it’s so distressing to hear that this governor wants to close a maximum of five this year, leaving administrative staff, correctional officers and hundreds of families across this state with only a 30-day notice before closure. A number of the governor’s proposals for this year’s budget are concerning, and this one is unfortunately no different. We know why prisons are essential in this state: people, particularly violent people, still commit crimes. And they still need a place to be kept away from neighborhoods and law-abiding citizens to help keep our communities safe. But that’s only part of the reality because the other part is that prison staff members are currently working overtime to try and help not only care for but rehabilitate inmates so they can return to society and have a chance to start over. Therapists, doctors and recovery programs are all critical for a patient’s turnaround in these facilities, in part because despite this state government spending so much money each year, these services often get little support on the outside. Despite whatever crimes may be committed, I think many of us can agree each convict, especially those looking to accept their punishment and return a changed person, should be given the training and resources to help them through that process. The rehabilitation process requires staff to manage these facilities, staff that, when hired, often must pick themselves up from where they are and move closer to work at these institutions. They build lives in these new areas, have their children attend schools local to the area and settle in as anyone would. Job security is never something that can be guaranteed in this life but considering the stress and danger these employees face in these facilities, they certainly deserve more than a potential 30-day notice before a rug could be pulled out from under them. New York State’s Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association President Chris Summers has said told us the reality of these officers: lots of overtime, straining physical and mental health in officers, omnipresent burnout, and decrease in quality of life. The people working to keep these facilities running deserve better, and the job to ensure they are able to get their work done falls to legislators. I think many would be pleased to live in a world without correctional facilities, but that’s an impractical fantasy. The governor is certainly allowed her opinion, but her proposal, should it go through in this year’s budget, would prove disastrous, and it must be left behind this year. Assemblyman Brabenec represents the 98th District, which includes the city of Port Jervis, the towns of Deerpark, Greenville, Mount Hope, Wawayanda, Minisink, Warwick, Tuxedo, and portions of the towns of Goshen, Monroe, and Ramapo. For more information, please visit his Official Website at www.yourfavoriteassemblyman.com.