Lawmakers join hundreds of workers at Bronx demo
PEF rallies to keep Fulton CF open
FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL — PEF members are joined by concerned residents and lawmakers at February rally to save Fulton Correctional Facility from closing. Shown leading the rally are PEF Region 10 Coordinator Jennifer Faucher and PEF Vice President Pat Baker.
— Photo by Richard Dillard
By DENYCE DUNCAN LACY
More than 200 PEF members and other employees of the Fulton Correctional Facility and concerned lawmakers and area residents turned out to rally against the proposed closure of the minimum-security prison in late February.
PEF Vice President Pat Baker and Region 10 Coordinator Jennifer Faucher led the protest and informational picketing. Assembly Members Peter Rivera and Jeffrion Aubry and Senator Thomas Duane were among the elected officials who participated.
“Without any warning, the state has announced plans to close the doors of Fulton Correctional Facility, which employs more than 100 people, provides rehabilitative services to more than 250 inmates, and keeps the Bronx safe,” said Baker. “We’re here today to ask the state to recognize the hard work of Fulton’s employees and keep this important facility open.”
The demonstrators carried signs and placards bearing the messages “Work release works,” and “Keep Fulton open.” Baker and other supporters noted that Fulton Correctional Facility is also an important employment base for the Bronx, providing educational training, job placement, and other key support services to nonviolent offenders trying to re-enter society as productive citizens. The facility has undergone significant renovation over the past decade, and now has the potential to house about 400 inmates.
Several former inmates also took part in the rally, saying the facility helped them turn their lives around and find jobs after incarceration. PEF leaders said that service should remain in the community and continue to be run by public employees.
“Closing Fulton Correctional Facility and reducing the budget for rehabilitative services opens the door even further to privatization of these important services,” said Faucher. “We call on the Legislature to restore funding to Fulton, and on Gov. Pataki to fully fund rehabilitative programs and keep this important community facility open.”
“The economic forecast is that there will be $100.2 billion in revenues coming into the state,” added Assembly-member Peter Rivera. “With that in mind, there’s no reason to close Fulton Correctional Facility.”
In addition to the rally, PEF leaders escorted lawmakers on a walk–through at Fulton to see the facility first-hand.
The union leaders are also fighting the closure by participating in interviews in Bronx newspapers, and appearing on radio and television news programs.
Communicator Homepage April 04
Inside This Issue
Features
Contract rally sizzles
Rally activists speak their minds
PEF weighing its options
Keep Fulton Corrections open
Camp McGregor’s fate depends...
Lawmakers save Middletown Psych
PEF helps elect Fields to office
Changing the world, one cow at a time
Departments
President's Message
Member's Mailbag
Nurses' Station
Retirees In Action
Members' Highlights
Back Cover Ad
PEF Membership Benefits &Travel
Union Matters
Union halts layoffs at OCF
Judge backs nurses right to back pay
Member keeps lifesaving blood flowing
Deadline nears for OT meal allowance
PEF sending first heroes into national...
Labor community helps state
workers
Grant walks the walk
Reg. 1 member running to retire
Candidates sought for E. Board
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