The facility employs over 500 people

The Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Washington County is one of two New York State prisons that will be closing permanently. The Department of Corrections made the announcement in a statement Thursday. 

The decision to close only two facilities was purposefully made to minimize the effect on staff, and at the same time attempt to close the gap on staffing shortages in our correctional facilities

Employees were given the news Thursday morning. Rob Henke from the Washington County board of supervisors says the facility is one of - if not the biggest employer in the county. 

It’s a devastating impact.

The closure of the prisons is due in part to a decreasing population of inmates as well as difficulty recruiting for prison jobs. 

The Department of Corrections says all employees will be offered jobs elsewhere, while prisoners will be relocated around the state. 

Green Meadow will officially close on November 6th.