May 17, 2005 — Adirondack Correctional Facility is in Ray Brook. It's unusual among New York State prisons that it has some sort of christian activity group meeting 7 days a week.

Greg Warner attended an evening bible study inside the prison. He spoke to about a dozen inmates there, who chaplain Eric Olsen calls "the elders" of the prison church. He says they do much of the missionary and organizational work to keep the church going.

Inmate Hector Cruz began the evening by reading aloud the prayers of other inmates. One inmate prayed for his mother's health, another for his court case.  Go to full article

Mar 11, 2005 — The Adirondack Park Agency is expected to approve plans today for the new Essex County jail. A discussion at yesterday's APA session in Ray Brook passed without controversy. Construction of the long-delayed project is set to begin this spring. But as Chris Knight reports, the price tag could now top $30 million.  Go to full article

Jul 26, 2004 — The director of New York's state prisons says he'll move forward with a plan to cut the number of corrections officers. Commissioner Glenn Goord says nearly 150 jobs will be "down-sized" at three prisons in the north country. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Feb 03, 2004 — At a legislative budget hearing, State Prisons Commissioner Glen Goord defended a proposal by Governor Pataki's Administration to close three prisons. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Oct 28, 2003 — Governor Pataki defended the lack of progress in achieving reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, at an announcement to expand drug treatment programs to 17 counties and New York City. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Feb 27, 2003 — The New York State Lobbying Commission issued its largest fine ever against a prison services company for failing to file a truthful lobbying report and for giving free rides and gifts to some lawmakers. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Feb 20, 2003 — The State Lobbying Commission took depositions Wednesday from officials of the Correctional Services Corporation. The commission is looking into whether the prison services company broke the state?s lobbying laws by giving free rides and other perks to some lawmakers. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Feb 13, 2003 — A new study released by the Sentencing Project, a Washington-based think tank, says prisons offer little long-term economic benefit to rural communities. The group analyzed income and unemployment data in 14 rural, upstate counties over 25 years. Their findings suggest that counties without prisons have actually done better economically than counties with prisons. Martha Foley talks with Mark Mauer, assistant director of the Sentencing Project and a co-author of the study.  Go to full article

May 02, 2002 — State officials say they plan to bring taxpayer funded college programs back to New York's prisons. Inmate classes were cut by Governor Pataki nearly a decade ago. As Brian Mann reports, the new program will be paid for by the Federal government.  Go to full article

Jan 14, 2002 — Governor Pataki has breathed new life into a perennial proposal. He says in his state of the state speech that reform of the Rockefeller drug laws will be a top priority this year. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article