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The proposal continues, "This legislation will allow for an increase in the operational efficiency of the correctional system."Ìý

No correctional facilities were identified for closure in the budget plan. There are 44 prisons in New York, including two in Cayuga County: Auburn Correctional Facility in the city of Auburn and Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia.Ìý

Six prisons closed in early 2022, but the 2022-23 and 2023-24 state budgets did not include additional closures.Ìý

The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, which represents state corrections officers, criticized Hochul's proposal. The union believes closing prisons will increase prison violence and lead to more staff resignations and retirements.Ìý

NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers said his members "need relief." He wants the state to address prison violence and increase staffing, not close prisons.Ìý

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According to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the state has closed 24 correctional facilities and eliminated more than 13,000 prison beds since 2011. DOCCS reports the closures produced annual savings totaling $442 million.Ìý

The main argument for closing state prisons is the declining incarcerated population. DOCCS notes that the prison population has decreased by 54.9%, from 72,649 incarcerated individuals in 1999 to 32,766 as of Jan. 1.Ìý

Before any new closures happen, the legislation must be included in the final state budget. Hochul will negotiate with legislative leaders, who have supported past efforts to shutter state correctional facilities.Ìý

State law requires a year-long procedure to close a prison. But the legislation Hochul is proposing would allow the state to expedite that process and shut down facilities with a three-month notice.Ìý

Hochul and state lawmakers are aiming to finalize the state budget by April 1, the start of the 2024-25 fiscal year.Ìý

The budget does not detail which correctional facilities could be closed if the language is part of the final spending plan. A briefing book released by the Hochul administration explains the proposal would allow the state to "act expeditiously to right-size and eliminate excess capacity."

The state, which has 44 correctional facilities, has closed 24 prisons since 2011 due to a declining incarcerated population. After topping 72,000 in 1999, the prison population is down to 32,766, according to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.Ìý

Hochul did not pursue prison closures in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 budgets. But her plan to shutter more correctional facilities ranked the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, a union that represents corrections officers in state prisons.Ìý

NYSCOPBA's leadership worries that more closures will increase prison violence at a time when it's at record levels — DOCCS reported there were 1,671 assaults on staff and 2,107 assaults on incarcerated individuals in 2023 — and force staff to either relocate or leave their jobs.Ìý

"As the violence increases and staffing levels plummet, mandatory overtime for correction officers and sergeants has spiked to record highs," NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers said. "This overtime is well documented and it is unsustainable. Continuous mandates are straining members' physical and mental health, their families and their quality of life. Members are burning out at alarming rates."Ìý

Summers continued, "How can the state of New York demand that our members continue working in these conditions and have the mental and physical ability to keep incarcerated individuals and staff safe? Members need relief."Ìý

NYSCOPBA urged Hochul to keep prisons open and to add more staff.Ìý

The union's message is supported by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Assemblyman Billy Jones, a Democrat and former corrections officer, and Republican state Sen. Jim Tedisco.Ìý

In a statement, Jones said he is "highly disappointed" that Hochul wants to close more prisons. He prefers a different approach — one that focuses on making the job safer for correctional staff.Ìý

Tedisco opposes the "willy-nilly closing of correctional facilities" because, he said, it will lead to overcrowding in the remaining prisons.Ìý

State Sen. James Skoufis, a Hudson Valley Democrat, also opposes Hochul's plan to close more prisons. State correctional facilities are woefully understaffed, he said. He supports increasing pay and hiring more corrections officers.Ìý

"At a time when our correctional officers feel undervalued and demoralized, it is high time to focus on increasing safety in our state facilities and paying a living wage," Skoufis said.Ìý

The prison closure proposal will be one of many policy ideas debated during budget negotiations. Hochul will work with legislative leaders to negotiate the budget, with the goal of finalizing the spending plan by April 1 — the start of the next fiscal year.Ìý

Nicole Biever, the commission's chief of staff, told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV the report "is part of our annual monitoring of all of our institutions." The commission monitors data in three categories, including annual enrollment, financial health and student achievement.Ìý

After reviewing the supplemental information reports, the commission could take further action. The worst-case scenario for an institution is the loss of its accreditation. While colleges and universities can operate without being accredited, the certification is needed to receive federal funds.Ìý

In a statement provided to Ë®¹ûÅÉAV, CCC President Dr. Brian Durant said the college submitted its report to the commission in December. The report, Durant explained, included enrollment data and "current actions and future plans by the college related to enrollment."Ìý

CCC, like other community colleges in New York, has dealt with declining enrollment. Over a five-year period, from 2017-18 through 2021-22, the decreased from 2,623 to 1,678 — a 36% drop.Ìý

The COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to the decline. In 2019-20, there were 2,305 full-time equivalent students. But in 2020-21, the first full academic year during the pandemic, the number of full-time equivalent students fell to 1,777.Ìý

However, there are encouraging signs that CCC's enrollment is beginning to rebound. When the State University of New York released its latest data in November, the number of first-year enrollees at CCC increased by 10% from fall 2022 to fall 2023. Total enrollment was down, though, by 0.8%.Ìý

Durant highlighted the college's efforts to boost enrollment, including the construction of wellness centers on the Auburn and Fulton campuses and programs with central New York high schools. CCC also established an advanced manufacturing institute in Fulton and a culinary institute in Auburn.Ìý

The college is implementing a new advisement model, according to Durant, to help students discuss academic plans and courses with professors and other personnel.Ìý

"Between these and other improvements, the college surpassed its projected enrollment in the 2022-23 academic year by almost 10%," Durant said. "Cayuga is projected to again exceed its budgeted enrollment for the 2023-24 academic year, though these numbers are not finalized."Ìý

There has been no update on whether the Middle States Commission on Higher Education will take any action against CCC before the reaccreditation process in 2024-25. Durant noted the college is in the midst of a self-study, which is part of reaccreditation, and expects the process to be completed in 2025.Ìý

The last time the college received its reaffirmation of accreditation in 2016, Durant said there were no requirements for follow-up reporting to the commission.Ìý

Maj. Gen. James Rafferty (retired), East High School Class of 1969: After enlisting in the military as a private, Rafferty went on to become a two-star general. His career also included leadership of a global logistics organization of 16,000 civilians, military employees and contractors who operated in 34 states and 15 countries during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was senior advisor to NORAD as well.

Karen Macier, Auburn High School Class of 1972: The retired executive director of the United Way of Cayuga County, Macier also served in the same role with the United Way of Seneca County, worked in public relations and alumni affairs for 17 years at Tompkins Cortland Community College, served on the boards of many local charities and served in both the Women's Army Corps active duty (1974-1980) and the Army Reserve (1980-1995).

Sean and Beth Lattimore, Auburn High School Class of 1986: The owners of the historic Springside Inn in Fleming since the time they were young parents, the Lattimores have worked tirelessly to update the property and keep its historic character intact while running its full-service banquet facility, restaurant and inn, the foundation said. The Lattimores have also mentored students through restaurant internships and supported community organizations by donating time and space.

Marc Petrosino, Auburn High School Class of 1993: An Emmy Award-nominated designer, puppeteer, fabricator and co-founder of Monkey Boys Productions whose creations have appeared in "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," "Sesame Street," "Saturday Night Live," "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" and "Helpsters."

Gary Mann, Auburn High School Class of 1999: A program manager for Rescue Mission, providing case management and support to families trying to transition out of homelessness. He also worked with the Auburn Housing Authority on Merriman Circle, a supportive housing complex for homeless single women and families. Mann is an accomplished musician as well, releasing three albums and touring nationally.

Eric Emanuel, Auburn High School Class of 2008: A designer of New York City-based streetwear and sportswear with a personal "EE" logo who opened his first brick-and-mortar store in SoHo in 2021 and a second in Miami the following year. He has also partnered with Adidas to design McDonald's all-star high school basketball sneakers, socks, uniforms, warmup gear and the gym floor.

The hall was established in 2012 to recognize Auburn graduates who have distinguished themselves through academic, professional, personal and/or civic achievements. More than 50 alumni have been inducted.

For more information, visit .

Joining them is Alan Berlucchi, who comes to the office as a certified law associate. He will become an assistant district attorney upon admission to the New York State Bar, District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci said in a news release Tuesday. Berlucchi received his law degree from Syracuse University, and while there was vice president of the Syracuse Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Venditte joins the office as a senior assistant district attorney. Also a Syracuse University graduate, she has been a prosecutor for more than 10 years. As an assistant district attorney in Onondaga County, she specialized in the handling of special victim cases. Assistant District Attorney Raub, who has more than four years of experience, received her law degree from Liberty University School of Law.

Moody joins the Cayuga County office as special counsel to the district attorney. He has more than 25 years of experience as a prosecutor, and was previously acting district attorney of Oswego County.