Why Is Gowanda Prison Closing?

The Governor's Office cited financial reasons and declining prison population for the closure. The DOCCS says since 2011, the prison population in the state of New York has declined by 45%. There are now 31,419 people in the system state-wide.

Is Gowanda Correctional Facility closing?

The Cuomo administration announced Dec. 21, 2020, that it would close Gowanda Correctional Facility, along with one in Watertown and the annex at Clinton Correctional, a maximum-security state prison in Dannemora. The state gave the facilities 90 days before closing each of them at the end of March.

Why are prisons closing?

The reasons this institution was selected for closure are not a reflection of its quality of work and care, or the management or staff. Staff at the prison can be assured that we will work together to ensure a smooth transition, including placing employees into like positions at other facilities whenever possible.