State to Consolidate Operations at Collins Correctional Facility Amid Staffing Challenges

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has announced plans to consolidate operations at Collins Correctional Facility in southern Erie County, a move aimed at addressing persistent staffing shortages and enhancing operational efficiency.

 

Under this plan, activities will be centralized within one section of the facility, rendering the other half inactive. DOCCS has committed to maintaining the unused portion to ensure it remains in a state of readiness. This consolidation is part of the department's ongoing strategy to streamline services and alleviate staffing pressures.

 

The transition at Collins is expected to be completed by the end of the current fiscal year. In a related development, DOCCS has also announced the full closure of Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Franklin County, with operations ceasing by March 11, 2026. Similar to Collins, the Bare Hill facility will be maintained post-closure.

 

Opened in 1982 on the grounds of a former state psychiatric center, Collins Correctional Facility has a capacity of 1,093 inmates. As of the latest audit in 2022, the facility housed 909 inmates and employed 742 staff members. The prison is divided into two compounds, each equipped with its own perimeter fencing, housing blocks, mess halls, and ancillary facilities. It remains unclear which section will be decommissioned.

 

This decision follows the closure of the adjacent Gowanda Correctional Facility in March 2021, which was attributed to a declining prison population and the need for cost savings. The closure had a significant impact on the local community, affecting small businesses that relied on the prison workforce.

 

Earlier this year, in February and March, corrections officers at numerous state prisons, including Collins, participated in unsanctioned strikes to protest inadequate staffing levels and working conditions. These actions led to the transfer of inmates from Collins to other facilities to ensure safety and operational continuity.

 

In response to these challenges, DOCCS has intensified recruitment efforts, offering sign-on and referral bonuses of $3,000 and lowering the minimum age for corrections officers from 21 to 18. These initiatives have reportedly led to a 62% increase in hiring.

 

Local officials have expressed concern over the consolidation. Erie County Legislator John Mills emphasized the potential economic impact on the region, stating that the closure of Collins would be "absolutely devastating" for the community, particularly for small businesses that depend on the prison workforce.

 

As the state continues to address staffing shortages and operational challenges within its correctional facilities, the consolidation at Collins Correctional Facility underscores the complex balance between fiscal responsibility and community impact.