Senators Martucci and Skoufis Successfully Keep Goshen Secure Open, Protect Jobs

GOSHEN, NY – Senators Mike Martucci (R-C-I, New Hampton) and James Skoufis (D, Hudson Valley) have succeeded in their fight to protect good-paying union jobs and essential services at the Goshen Secure Center. Goshen, along with three other youth correctional facilities operated by the Office of Children and Family Services, had been slated for closure in Governor Cuomo’s January budget proposal.

“I fought like hell during budget negotiations to prevent the Goshen Secure Center from being closed,” said Senator Skoufis. “Working with Senator Martucci, CSEA, and PEF, I’m proud that we won this fight and secured the funding necessary to protect the center’s services. The young men dependent on the mental health and rehabilitation services that the Goshen Secure Facility provides can now rest assured that those doors won’t be closed. Additionally, the hardworking union members of CSEA and PEF now know that those jobs aren’t going anywhere. I was sent to Albany to protect my Senate District and deliver for the Hudson Valley - and this is a big win for my constituents." 

“The final state budget saves over 300 jobs at Goshen Secure, and preserves important treatment, counseling and job training programs that provide hope to its residents,” said Senator Martucci. “At our press conference on February 25, we heard from Jesus Bravo, a former resident at Goshen who turned his entire life around with the assistance of the hardworking staff. I’m proud to have worked with Senator Skoufis, CSEA and PEF to deliver this bipartisan victory for my Senate District and Orange County families.”

Goshen Secure Center, a maximum-security state youth incarceration center currently houses 30 boys from across the state, many of them from the New York City metropolitan area. The closure of the facility would not only eliminate 300 jobs and interrupt treatment for residents, but it would also mean families have to travel many more miles and hours away to visit a loved one. Had the facility closed, residents would have been moved to a center much further north in Columbia County.  

“On behalf of the employees who have worked so hard not only throughout this pandemic, but for years, we are very pleased the state budget maintains funding for the next year,” said CSEA Southern Region President Anthony Adamo. “Unfortunately we are seeing closures of OCFS facilities in the coming months, and we’re aware that this may not be the last word on Goshen. Rest assured, however, that we will continue to work with our community and government partners who understand the value of Goshen Secure to keep this facility open and playing a vital role in the rehabilitation of our youth.”

"All of the residential youth facilities operated by the Office of Children and Families provide individualized education, treatment and wellness services designed to help at-risk youth address their issues and avoid future interactions with law enforcement,” PEF President Wayne Spence stated. “We deeply thank Senator Skoufis for his leadership, as well as Senator Martucci and their colleagues in both houses for their work to save the Goshen Secure Center in this year’s state budget.  We will continue to work with our state officials to expand these types of individualized, trauma-informed services and programs that have a demonstrated ability to help troubled kids get back on the right track and stay there.” 

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