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| N.Y. to Vacate Medium Security Section of Sing Sing |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 04/09/2003 |
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The state plans to transfer all of Sing Sing's medium-security inmates to other prisons along the Hudson River within the next few months. The transfers are part of the state's continued efforts to trim expenses as the prison population declines. Tappan, the medium-security section of the prison 35 miles north of New York City, will be vacated by floor. The first 78 of 536 inmates will leave April 15, state Department of Correctional Services spokesman Jim Flateau said Tuesday. The maximum-security section of Sing Sing houses 1,804 inmates. Eventually, 86 prison officers, three sergeants and 32 medical and support staff of Tappan will be reassigned to fill vacancies in other prisons around the state. Employees will be moved by request. The positions will not be cut, Flateau said. ''Obviously, we didn't want any of it to close, but so far, they seem like they're going about it the right way,'' said Richard Harcrow, president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association. ''No forced transfers is important to us. I'm sure the officers looking to go home are very happy.'' About 200 prison officers already have requested transfers out of Sing Sing, to prisons closer to their homes across the state, Flateau said. About 600 officers work in both sections, said union liaison John Telisky. ''Closing beds where we can reassign staff to vacant positions maintains our security without necessitating new hires in the face of a budget deficit,'' said state Correctional Services Commissioner Glenn Goord. The state faces a revenue shortfall estimated at $11.5 billion. Necessary renovations at Tappan, which opened in the mid 1970s, would cost millions of dollars, Flateau said. ''For the benefit of the taxpayer who foots the bill ... it is not the time for us to spend millions of dollars to renovate beds we don't need in the system,'' he said. Inmates participating in special programs at Tappan, such as the New York Theological Seminary, should be able to stay until their completion. Nearly 66,480 prisoners are incarcerated statewide, down from 71,538 in December 1999. The Pataki administration expects the prison population to decline to 65,100 by March 31, 2004, the end of next fiscal year. ''Everyone expects that, as the prison population drops, so will its staffing,'' Flateau said. Telisky said he remains concerned employees will be laid off. ''We're losing 89 jobs any way you look at it,'' he said. |
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