Prisons in Schuyler & Wayne Counties to close

New York State corrections officials today announced plans to close four prisons citing the shrinking number of inmates, specifically drug offenders, behind bars. Two of the four prisons slated for shut-down are located right here in the Finger Lakes.One, is the minimum-security Monterey Shock facility located in Orange, Schuyler CountyIn Wayne County, Butler, a medium-security facility in Red Creek will close. Butler had already seen its minimum-security unit closed in 2011.Also, medium-security facilities Chateaugay, in Franklin County, and Mt. McGregor, in Saratoga County, will close.Overall, the Department of Corrections estimates the plan will cut about $30 million a year in costs.The prisons will remain open for a full year as existing inmates are transferred. Officials say they want to prevent layoffs by moving employees to other facilities.The facilities will be closed on July 26, 2014.