QUOTE: “These new closures are another step toward reversing the era of mass incarceration and recognizing that there are more effective alternatives to lengthy imprisonment,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in February.

UNIONS DON’T WANT IT: Yonkers Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and other democratic lawmakers don’t support Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to expedite the closure of up to three state prisons this year. 

FORGET ABOUT IT: The One-house budget plans released by the Assembly and state Senate majorities excludes Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal.

PROTECT UNION JOBS: The governor is seeking authority from the state Legislature to close as many as three correctional facilities by September 1st.

In his 30-day budget amendments, Governor Cuomo included the proposal to shutter up to three state prisons.

His plan would require the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to review the state’s 54 correctional facilities and determine which should close. There would be criteria the agency would consider, such as facility security level, available programs for inmates and the potential reuse of the property.

Governor Cuomo, who has boasted about closing 24 state prisons and juvenile detention centers, contends more prisons can be shuttered due to a declining inmate population.

The inmate population is now 46,973, down from 56,419 since 2011 — the governor’s first year in office.

The state Division of Budget estimates the closures could eliminate more than 1,200 beds in the prison system and save at least $35 million. 

However, Cuomo’s plan faces opposition from lawmakers and unions representing correctional officers.

One of the unions, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, slammed the proposal. The labor group believes it would lead to overcrowding in prisons and create dangerous conditions for staff. 

The governor and state legislative leaders are aiming to finalize a new state budget by March 31.