Senator Gipson to Fight the Closing of Beacon Facility

Terry Gipson

February 7, 2013

For Immediate Release: February 6, 2013
Media Contact: Daniel Torres | 845.399.5092 | danieltorresnysenate@gmail.com

SENATOR GIPSON TO FIGHT THE CLOSING OF BEACON FACILITY

Senator Terry Gipson questioned the Department of Corrections Commissioner, Brian Fischer, during the Commissioner's appearance before the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on "Public Protection," and found his reasoning for closing the Beacon Correctional Facility unsatisfactory.

"I was skeptical of the numbers the DOCCS used to justify their preliminary decision to shutter the women's minimum security facility in Beacon. I'm not convinced that the state will realize the savings they claim," said Gipson. "When you look at the potential economic impact the closing will have on the community along with the extra financial burdens placed on the families of the employees and inmates, those "savings" begin to vanish.

"Their decision also seems to ignore the important fact that they would be closing down the last women's minimum security facility in the state and, as a result, transfer women who are readying to re-enter society to medium or maximum security facilities. With that in mind, this move appears even more confusing.

"I, and many of my fellow senators, will work to keep the facility open in order to protect jobs, the economy of Beacon and the families of the employees and inmates."