News from New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF)

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PEF Leader Testifies on Workforce Issues

Criticizes plans to close or consolidate prison camps and youth facilities

ALBANY, NY (02/12/2008; 1502)(readMedia)-- A top leader of The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) testified today before the state Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees on workforce issues citing two critical areas of concern.

“We are deeply concerned over the governor’s proposal to close several state Office of Children and Family Services facilities (OCFS) including Adirondack Wilderness Challenge in Clinton County, Auburn Residential Center in Cayuga County, Brace Residential Center in Delaware County, Great Valley Residential Center in Cattaraugus County and Pyramid Reception Center in the Bronx, as well as plans to downsize the Lansing youth facility in Tompkins County,” said PEF Secretary-Treasurer Arlea Igoe of Albany.

Igoe warned lawmakers of dangers, including the possibility the closings could force the placement of young people in private programs unable to address their needs, leading to greater recidivism and higher costs to the state.

“One-third of youths placed by OCFS in private facilities fail in these placements and end up being transferred to OCFS facilities,” Igoe testified. “If the state wants to cut recidivism, it should improve the teacher-student and counselor-youth ratios in OCFS facilities’, not shut them down.”

“Additionally we have a great deal of concern about plans to close three minimum-security Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) facilities including Camp Gabriels in Franklin County, Camp McGregor in Saratoga County and Camp Pharsalia in Chenango County as well as the medium-security Hudson facility,” Igoe said.

“The closings would affect our members’ job security, careers, families and communities,” Igoe testified. “It could reduce public safety and the states’ ability to prepare inmates to return to our communities. Closing these facilities also may lead to increased ‘double bunking’ of inmates, creating a more dangerous environment.”

PEF is the state’s second-largest state-employee union, representing 58,000 professional, scientific and technical employees.

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