GOWANDA, N.Y. — As we know this year's state budget brought about some changes. That includes closing down five more state prisons at some point. We don't yet know if any local prisons will be affected.
But questions about the overall closing process and follow-up for potential re-development at already closed prisons like Gowanda are still frustrating some state lawmakers.
The fading prison sign and the boarded-up buildings of the Gowanda State Prison site reflect the passage of time since the 2021 shutdown of the facility which could be repeated now in up to five other state prisons and the communities they are located in. The state reportedly claims there will be over $70 million in cost savings, and mentions the rapidly declining inmate population, and a shortage of new corrections officers to staff prisons.
But one Republican state lawmaker faults Governor Hochul and the state corrections department for not actually following what he says is a 2005 state law requiring a year's shutdown notice instead of the listed 90 days notice.
State Assemblyman Joseph Giglio says "There's a total lack of concern about the people that work in these facilities and a total lack of concern for the communities that house them. With no real apparent reason to close them that fast."
It is estimated that the Gowanda community and its businesses lost about 600 jobs as corrections officers and support staff there - some of which were generational - either retired or relocated. Some went to the adjacent Collins Correctional Facility while others transferred to new prison positions around the state.
Giglio spoke of the impact on the village. "You took that economic activity involving the staff and those folks who lived around there out of Gowanda itself."
Giglio added, "What the state fails to tell you is they're gonna close these facilities and say they're gonna save so much money and somebody is gonna have to be there to maintain these buildings."
Some reports say the state promised over $80 Million dollars to assist prison-host communities like Gowanda.. But Giglio questions those efforts.
Back in 2022 Empire State Development and the prison redevelopment commission of the state actually put out a report. It mentions the Gowanda site and does say it might be quite viable for renewable energy but it also says numerous buildings would have to be demolished and obviously the perimeter fencing back there would be an obstacle to development."
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz points out "It's very hard when you have these old facilities that are not in the urban core - they're not in the suburban core - they're many miles out. So considering it was designed as a prison it's tough to re-develop it into anything else other than that."
Also, the proximity to the still open Collins could limit development interest in the Gowanda site which some speculate could be used as a solar farm site.
But again Giglio says "There was no specific re-use plan. Most of them that have been closed have not been re-used."
The Governor's Office responded to the notification question. "The FY 2025 Enacted Budget contains Article VII language to allow for the closure of up to five correctional facilities with 90 days notice. The facilities have not yet been identified."
They also note that staff safety and state savings are part of the evaluation for prison closings. And they say decisions are made to minimize the impact on the staff and host communities.
A closed Livingston County facility was transferred to the county industrial development agency. A similar move may happen with a former prison in Wayne County. And the state is seeking development proposals for three now closed downstate correctional facilities.