Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) today joined Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R, C, I – Canandaigua) and members of the Assembly Minority Conference at a forum in Albany to discuss workforce issues in the correctional system. The New York State Correction Officers, Police Benevolent Association and Public Employees Federation were among the correctional services professionals who provided testimony to the lawmakers.

“The dedicated men and women who work in our correctional facilities are on the front lines, protecting us every day. It’s about time that Albany take a look at reforming our correctional system from their perspective, and I am pleased to be able to join my colleagues toward that common goal,” said Hawley, who represents a four-county district, which includes three state correctional facilities as well as the federal United States Department of Homeland Security detention facility in Batavia.

Despite that the state’s maximum security facilities are now operating at 123 percent of capacity, the State Department of Correctional Services plans to close three facilities by July 1, 2009 and another seven by October 1, 2009. This amounts to the loss of at least 558 jobs, including 473 uniformed staff positions.