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Guards Protest Prison Closing Plan

Saranac Lake, New York - January 25, 2008

Sign-carrying corrections officers from Camp Gabriels demonstrated in front of the town hall on Thursday. Inside, about 300 concerned citizens met with state and local representatives to find a way to keep the 336-bed facility open.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer, D-New York, called for the closure of four corrections facilities to save money since the state faces a $4 billion deficit. The closing would mean the loss of 180 jobs at Camp Gabriels-- a big hit for a small community.

"We're not only going to work with the legislators up here but we'll reach over the aisle and see if we can get democrats to help us in this fight," said Kathy Garrison, State Employees Union Regional President.

There are more than a half dozen correctional facilities in Essex, Clinton and Franklin counties that employ several thousand people, in both federal and state institutions. They bring in steady paychecks with good benefits. In addition, inmates at the minimum security Camp Gabriels do work for local towns, saving taxpayers money.

"Tupper Lake, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Malone, town of Franklin... We do a lot of work the towns can't afford to hire out. If this place closes it will be those places that feel the impact," said Camp Gabriels Corrections Officer David Dickinson.

"The town of Franklin supervisor was talking about the park in Vermontville. My crew built that pavilion. You leave there feeling you have done something," said Richard Gonyea, a retired corrections officer.

The state said no one would lose their job, that the employees will be transferred to work at other facilities, but not necessarily in the North Country. That could mean driving long distances and incurring added expenses.

Next week local legislators will meet in Albany with corrections officials to see of they can work out a plan to keep the condemned facility open.

One town official said that the only way they can make up for the loss of jobs is to raise property taxes... something they would do only as a last resort.

Jack LaDuke - WCAX News