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Gov. Kathy Hochul is seeking the authority to expedite the closure of up to five prisons in the 2025-26 state budget. 

Hochul released her 30-day budget amendments Thursday. Among the changes is language that would allow her to shut down more prisons with 90 days' notice. 

No correctional facilities are identified for closure in the budget language. The legislation states that the closures would be "as the governor determines to be necessary for the cost-effective and efficient operation of the correctional system..." 

"Governor Hochul is committed to doing everything in her power to keep correctional facilities safe for all who enter, and that includes ensuring facilities can be run effectively and efficiently with the staffing that's currently available," said Matthew Janiszewski, a spokesperson for Hochul. "Correctional facilities across the country are experiencing staffing shortages and New York is no different."

Janiszewski continued, "While we continue efforts to recruit and attract new correction officers, both Governor Hochul and Commissioner Martuscello want (DOCCS) to have the flexibility to close and consolidate up to five facilities this year which will help create safer and more secure facilities, and lead to improved working conditions for staff." 

The amendment is identical to language that was included in the current budget that authorizes Hochul to expedite the closure of up to five prisons. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision closed two maximum-security prisons — Great Meadow and Sullivan correctional facilities — in November. 

Despite having the authority to close more prisons in the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Hochul administration has not announced additional closures. The provision in the current budget expires March 31, which is the end of the fiscal year. 

When Hochul proposed the prison closures in 2024, DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III said it was due to a staffing crisis. The staffing shortage has worsened and is one of the factors that led to the correction officer strike this week. 

The governor's 2025-26 budget proposal will be reviewed by the state Legislature. Hochul and state legislative leaders hope to finalize the budget by April 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year.