PRESS RELEASE
March 12, 2008

Majority Represented at Rally to Save Hudson Facility

The majority of the Rensselaer County Legislature was represented today at a rally to save the Hudson Correction Facility, with Legislator Martin Reid saying the plan to close the prison is unfair and will not result in a savings for state taxpayers.

Reid told about 100 corrections officers and elected officials that the Rensselaer County Legislature has been united in calling for the governor to reverse plans to close the Hudson and Mt. McGregor medium security facilities. The state is closing the two state prisons at a time when the state is forcing the county to construct a $50 million expansion to the county jail.

“The state is telling residents they will save $60 million by closing these two facilities while they are shifting $50 million in new costs to Rensselaer County. This is a shell game, not a savings,” said Reid.

“We believe the Hudson and Mt. McGregor facilities should be kept open to deal with periodic overflows in county prison populations throughout the Capital Region and Hudson River Valley. The facilities are adequate with room for additions and the staff at both facilities is trained and ready to serve,” said Reid.

Along with Reid, State Senator Steve Saland, a representative of Assemblyman Mark Molinaro, Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera and other Columbia County officials attended the rally, along with representatives of the Civil Service Employees Association.

The Legislature adopted a resolution at the February legislative meeting sponsored by the mayor urging the state to keep the Hudson and Mt. McGregor state prisons open. The resolution also urged the state to allow for the two facilities to remain open to allow for counties to house prisoners. At last night’s March legislative meeting, a second resolution was passed asking for the state to provide funding to conduct a feasibility study for future uses of the two state prisons.

Reid said the economic impacts of the closings of the two prisons have to be weighed by state leaders. There is a good chance funding to save the facilities in the ongoing state budget process.

“There are a number of employees at these facilities who call Rensselaer County home. The economic impact to the Capital Region of shutting these two facilities down would be severe,” said Reid.

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