12 Feb 2024
Joint –Public Hearing: To discuss the overall mission, goals, and economics of Corcraft (aka the Division of Correctional Industries within the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision)
Legislative Office BuildingVan Buren Hearing Room A, 2 nd Floor 182 State Street , Room 901 LOB, Albany, NY, 12247
10:30 AM Archived Video
Joint – Senate Standing Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
Chair: Senator James Skoufis
Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction
Chair: Senator Julia Salazar
Senate Standing Committee on Procurement and Contracts
Chair: Senator Jeremy Cooney
Co-Sponsor: Senator Zellnor Myrie
Public Hearing: To discuss the overall mission, goals, and economics of Corcraft (aka the Division of Correctional Industries within the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision); its role as a New York State Preferred Source supplier for office equipment; and how its operations and performance ultimately benefit or otherwise impact New York taxpayers, incarcerated individuals, and the State at large
Place: Van Buren Hearing Room A, Legislative Office Building, 2 nd Floor, Albany, New York
Time: 10:30 A.M.
Contact: Evan Gallo (518) 455-3293
Media Contact: Valerie Best (347) 861-4754
ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY
SUBJECT: Joint Public Hearing to Examine the Economy, Efficiency, Equitability, and Effectiveness of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s Division of Correctional Industries (aka Corcraft)
PURPOSE: To explore the overall mission, goals, and economics of Corcraft; its role as a New York State Preferred Source supplier for office equipment; and how its operations and performance ultimately benefit or otherwise impact New York taxpayers, incarcerated individuals, and the State at large.
Corcraft has what is known as “preferred source” status in state law, meaning that state and county agencies, municipalities, school districts, colleges and universities, police and fire departments, select nonprofits and even correctional facilities are directed to purchase goods from Corcraft, so long as the company makes a product comparable to what they intend to purchase. The benefit to purchasers is that they can avoid time-consuming bidding processes for everyday items. However, “preferred source” status has effectively given Corcraft a monopoly providing the furniture, signage and even cleaning supplies that taxpayer-supported public institutions rely on. Yet their material costs – recent data pegs average earnings at just 65 cents per hour for the incarcerated people building Corcraft’s bookshelves and rolling chairs – are dwarfed by the prices buyers pay.
Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees on Investigations and Government Operations; Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections; and Procurement and Contracts at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.
Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes duration. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees on Investigations and Government Operations; Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections; and Procurement and Contracts would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.
Attendees and participants at any legislative public hearing should be aware that these proceedings are video recorded. Their likenesses may be included in any video coverage shown on television or the internet.
In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Committees on Investigations and Government Operations; Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections; and Procurement and Contracts, in accordance with their policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have made their facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to State Legislature facilities and activities.
