Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone will close in early 2026 following a statewide review of New York’s prisons, according to officials.Top video: See previous coverage from 2024The New York State Department of Correctional and Community Supervision announced the upcoming closure Tuesday.DOCCS said it conducted “a thorough review of operations at its 42 correctional facilities” following the enactment of the state budget and determined that the facility will close on March 11, 2026.DOCCS said that the review was based on factors including “available beds, physical infrastructure, program offerings and whether they can be relocated to other institutions, facility security level, specialized medical and mental health services, locations where there are no Correction Officer reassignment lists, and other facilities in the area to minimize the impact to staff.”The state budget had allowed for the closure of up to three correctional facilities in the state, but Bare Hill will be the only one to close.All of the 293 DOCCS staff members who are currently assigned to Bare Hill will be offered positions at other correctional facilities. The prisoners at Bare Hill will be absorbed into the population of other neighboring institutions that have vacant beds, DOCCS said.Officials said that because they currently have more than 650 vacant staff positions, they will be able to ensure that no staff are laid off at Bare Hill. DOCCS said it does not anticipate any layoffs from the closure.Additionally, DOCCS will consolidate part of the Collins Correctional Facility campus in Erie County.DOCCS issued a statement about the upcoming closure of Bare Hill, saying that the decision to close any facility is “difficult for all involved.””Across the country, correctional agencies continue to struggle to meet staffing demands, and the Department is no exception despite new and aggressive recruitment efforts. The closure of one facility and consolidation of Collins Correctional Facility will help ensure the safe and efficient operation of the system, utilizing staff more effectively while operating programs in a safe manner. This decision was decisively made to minimize the effect on staff, and at the same time attempt to close the gap on staffing shortages in our correctional facilities.”Bare Hill is one of three correctional facilities in Malone, including Upstate Correctional Facility and Franklin Correctional Facility. There are several prisons in the North Country, including Riverview, Altona and Clinton Correctional.Sen. Dan Stec also released a statement about the upcoming closure of Bare Hill, saying that he was “disappointed” by the announcement.”Given the ongoing safety crises inside correctional facilities, I believe that the solution is to enact substantive policy changes to make these sites safer and not closures and consolidations,” Stec said in part. “My primary focus is on ensuring that the correction officers and civilian staff currently employed at Bare Hill remain working and living in Malone and Franklin County. These men and women are vital parts of our community and it’s critically important that they remain here.”NBC5 is sending a crew to Malone to learn more.
MALONE, N.Y. —
Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone will close in early 2026 following a statewide review of New York’s prisons, according to officials.
Top video: See previous coverage from 2024
The New York State Department of Correctional and Community Supervision announced the upcoming closure Tuesday.
DOCCS said it conducted “a thorough review of operations at its 42 correctional facilities” following the enactment of the state budget and determined that the facility will close on March 11, 2026.
DOCCS said that the review was based on factors including “available beds, physical infrastructure, program offerings and whether they can be relocated to other institutions, facility security level, specialized medical and mental health services, locations where there are no Correction Officer reassignment lists, and other facilities in the area to minimize the impact to staff.”
The state budget had allowed for the closure of up to three correctional facilities in the state, but Bare Hill will be the only one to close.
All of the 293 DOCCS staff members who are currently assigned to Bare Hill will be offered positions at other correctional facilities. The prisoners at Bare Hill will be absorbed into the population of other neighboring institutions that have vacant beds, DOCCS said.
Officials said that because they currently have more than 650 vacant staff positions, they will be able to ensure that no staff are laid off at Bare Hill. DOCCS said it does not anticipate any layoffs from the closure.
Additionally, DOCCS will consolidate part of the Collins Correctional Facility campus in Erie County.
DOCCS issued a statement about the upcoming closure of Bare Hill, saying that the decision to close any facility is “difficult for all involved.”
“Across the country, correctional agencies continue to struggle to meet staffing demands, and the Department is no exception despite new and aggressive recruitment efforts. The closure of one facility and consolidation of Collins Correctional Facility will help ensure the safe and efficient operation of the system, utilizing staff more effectively while operating programs in a safe manner. This decision was decisively made to minimize the effect on staff, and at the same time attempt to close the gap on staffing shortages in our correctional facilities.”
Bare Hill is one of three correctional facilities in Malone, including Upstate Correctional Facility and Franklin Correctional Facility. There are several prisons in the North Country, including Riverview, Altona and Clinton Correctional.
Sen. Dan Stec also released a statement about the upcoming closure of Bare Hill, saying that he was “disappointed” by the announcement.
“Given the ongoing safety crises inside correctional facilities, I believe that the solution is to enact substantive policy changes to make these sites safer and not closures and consolidations,” Stec said in part. “My primary focus is on ensuring that the correction officers and civilian staff currently employed at Bare Hill remain working and living in Malone and Franklin County. These men and women are vital parts of our community and it’s critically important that they remain here.”
NBC5 is sending a crew to Malone to learn more.