Erie County Legislator and Minority Leader John Mills says the future of the Collins Correctional Facility is a big concern as Governor Kathy Hochul threatens to shutter at least five facilities. The Administration claims this move will save New York State $70 million.
“Our state leaders in Albany often look to Western New York when it comes to cost cutting moves. They already closed the Gowanda Correctional Facility a few years ago. If they were to also close Collins that would be absolutely devastating for the region,” said Legislator Mills.
The Collins Correctional Facility is a medium security facility with a capacity of housing 1,700 inmates. In March 2021 New York State closed the Gowanda Correctional Facility and relocated more than 600 employees throughout the state. The impact this had on the community was devastating, making it difficult for small businesses nearby that depend on the prison workforce to survive.
“These people work under very difficult circumstances already. Closing some facilities and growing prison populations in other locations exponentially would make those prisons even more dangerous, all while creating irreparable harm to the small towns that rely on these facilities,” said Legislator Mills.
One example of this impact is the Gowanda Area Federal Credit Union, established 90 years ago, and presently located on the grounds of the Collins Correctional Facility. If the state were to shutter that facility, the credit union would lose its building, and members would lose access to the facility. According to the credit union, they are a $30 million dollar business focused on the community. Closing a second facility in less than five years would deal a crushing blow to the region.
“At a time when we have learned of the terrible conditions in which corrections officers work, and the difficulties of maintaining law and order within the prison’s walls, the last thing we should be doing is exposing these officers to greater risk by closing facilities and harming the very communities that have come to rely on their presence,” said Legislator Mills. “The Democrat majority in Albany, as well as the Governor, need to do better.”
