CSEA President Danny Donohue blasts state plan to close OCFS facilities

ALBANY, NY (06/08/2011)(readMedia)-- "The Cuomo administration's plans to close and downsize juvenile justice facilities operated by the state Office of Children and Family Services is another bad policy choice that will hurt real people in real places.

There is an overwhelming need for reform in juvenile justice system, starting with the replacement of Commissioner Gladys Carrion, whose misguided policies and divisive management has put clients and staff at greater risk. There are serious public policy issues regarding juvenile justice that need meaningful public debate and labor-management discussion, which have been dismissed or ignored under the current administration.

Instead, the public gets a budget-driven downsizing without any regard to the consequences. It should also be clear that Commissioner Carrion's reckless and irresponsible policies have manipulated the population of the facilities contrary to the public interest. Governor Cuomo should know that his actions will not make things better for the youth in state custody, the dedicated staff who are trying to help them lead better lives or the people of New York.

At the same time, Governor Cuomo's bad budget choices will mean layoffs that will be tragic for the affected people, their families and communities, and will hurt New York's economy. Governor Cuomo cannot talk about job creation while laying people off to impress his millionaire friends. A paycheck lost is a paycheck lost."

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