NCJ Number
168815
Journal
American Jails Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: May/June 1996 Pages: 22-24
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses issues in a long-term plan by the Albany County Correctional Facility (ACCF) in New York State to use its excess space to house prisoners from other jurisdictions.
Abstract
In 1989, as part of a strategy to address overcrowding, the ACCF expanded its facility through the creation of temporary and modular housing units in anticipation of a major expansion to begin in 1990. Short-term plans were effective in dealing with the current issues, but there was a need to formulate a plan to address the future of the local correctional system. In 1989 the Albany County Legislature authorized funding for a $30 million construction project that would provide much-needed space for secure housing and support services for staff and inmate. Phases one and two have been completed, resulting in an expansion of the facility's capacity to 834 beds. Phase three is now under contract and will result in the renovation of the original plant, which dates back to 1931. Phase three, scheduled for completion in July 1996, will provide additional housing for female inmates and a new medical unit for in-house health care and treatment. The estimated capacity of the facility will increase to approximately 1,000 inmates. The expansion of the ACCF was designed to accommodate the projected growth of the inmate population into the next century. In the meantime, any excess capacity allows the facility to once again accept inmates as boarders from other jurisdictions. Since 1990 the ACCF has generated more than $20 million in boarder revenues through rental of vacant cells to jurisdictions in need of space. This means that the facility is no longer totally reliant on tax revenues to support its operation. In fact, ACCF contributes to the general fund to the benefit of taxpayers. 2 notes