Days after New York state moved to close two prisons, a state assemblymember on Wednesday encouraged North Country communities to join him in opposing additional prison closings in New York. 

Assemblyman Scott Gray, a Republican from Watertown, released a plan to boost support for prison facilities in the Northern New York, where there are multiple medium-security correctional facilities.

He said the "new approach" involves working with the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to recruit employees to "ensure the North Country is in a staff-plus position." He also wants to highlight the staffing levels, medical care and rehabilitation programs at the facilities. 

In a statement, Gray said he strongly opposes additional closures. 

“Ongoing rounds of closures create uncertainty and instability, not only for the staff but also for the surrounding communities,” Gray emphasized. “Nothing is more demoralizing than having a constant, never-ending threat of closures."

He said preserving the stability of prison facilities was crucial for maintaining morale and programs.

“I strongly encourage our St. Lawrence and Jefferson County communities to join these efforts. This new posture demonstrates our commitment to the North Country’s prisons through proactive recruitment, upholding high standards and opposing further closures to ensure the system’s success and stability.”

DOCCS announced last week that Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Washington County and Sullivan Correctional Facilities in Sullivan County, will close Nov. 6. The decision came after a DOCCS reviewed the state’s 44 prisons.