May 16, 2008 — Prisons are a significant part of the economy and of the cultural fabric of the North Country. Some families have been working as corrections officers for three generations. Some communities are known as prison towns. And in other parts of New York, our region is sometimes called "Little Siberia" because of its network of state and federal prisons. New York Times reporter Adam Liptak says those prisons are worth a second look. In a new series of articles called "The American Exception," he raises challenging questions about our society's prison policies. Liptak spoke about his reporting in-depth with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Mar 05, 2008 — Prison populations are booming across the United States, with one notable exception: Here in New York State the number of inmates has dropped each year since 1999, thanks in large part to a huge drop in the number of low-level offenders behind bars. Those empty jail beds have even led Governor Spitzer to push for the closure of four prisons -- including Camp Gabriels near Saranac Lake. NPR's Robert Smith and our own Brian Mann produced a two-part special report on the trend. First, Robert Smith looks at where all those prisoners went.  Go to full article

Jan 25, 2008 — A crowd of more than 250 people gathered at the Harrietstown Town Hall in Saranac Lake Thursday for a rally to save Camp Gabriels. The minimum security facility is among four the Spitzer administration plans to close by early next year. As Chris Knight reports, the group plans to challenge that decision with a grassroots campaign.  Go to full article

Jan 14, 2008 — The Spitzer administration announced on Friday plans to close four New York prisons, including two in the North Country. Camp McGregor in Saratoga County and Camp Gabriels north of Saranac Lake, both minimum security facilities, are both slated to close in 2009. At least 130 jobs will be lost in Franklin County alone. As Brian Mann reports, local officials were shocked by the decision, which came with no advance notice.  Go to full article

Jul 26, 2006 — Family members whose loved ones died while in solitary confinement in state prison, are urging Governor Pataki to sign a bill banning the practice for prisoners with diagnosed mental illness. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

May 02, 2006 — Dozens of women and children were stranded Sunday night at a rest stop on the Northway. They were visiting inmates at north country prisons. The chartered bus broke down Sunday evening and the family-members were left stranded until mid-day on Monday, when a replacemente bus picked them up. State police fed and cared for at least thirty-five people, most from New York City. The owners of the bus company couldn't be reached for comment. Brian Mann spoke Monday with Danielle from Astoria Queens, who declined to give her last name.  Go to full article

May 02, 2006 — Hundreds of family-members make the pilgrimage north every weekend to visit incarcerated men. Jack Beck, with the Correctional Association of New York says it's a burden, especially for poor working families.  Go to full article

Jan 26, 2005 — A state commission says an inmate at the Saratoga County jail committed suicide last spring after failing to receive proper medical and psychiatric care. James Pecor, age 25, had been living in Saranac Lake before his arrest. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Jan 20, 2005 — Survivors of the Attica Prison uprising and the families of Attica victims say they've gotten nearly everything they wanted in a settlement offered by Governor George Pataki. Members of the group "Forgotten Victims of Attica" spoke at a meeting in Batavia yesterday, saying the agreement largely brings to a close what they call "one of the most disgraceful chapters in American prison history." Bud Lowell reports.  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