Senator Ritchie Visits Cape Vincent Correctional Facility

Thanks Staff for Efforts that Helped Keep Facilities Open

State Senator Patty Ritchie returned to Cape Vincent Correctional Facility today to thank the officers, staff and administrators for their efforts to help keep the North Country facilities open, and to celebrate the news that every prison in St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties has been spared the budget ax.

“Back in January, I visited each of the prisons in Jefferson and St. Lawrence County, and gathered information from staff and officers about just how efficient and cost-effective these facilities are, representing a better deal for state taxpayers,” Senator Ritchie said.

“Today, I returned to Cape Vincent in Jefferson County to thank them for the help they gave me. Albany's decision shows New York State has recognized the good work they do,” Senator Ritchie said.

Senator Ritchie will visit the Watertown Correctional Facility on Thursday, completing her return visits to all five prisons in Senate District 48.

Senator Ritchie worked closely with local prison representatives to help make the case for saving the North Country prisons. She argued the state should look at closing downstate prisons that sit on some of the most expensive real estate in the world that could be easily converted to other uses.

She also argued the area's prisons have the lowest prisoner on prisoner assault rates and are among the safest facilities in the state.