Great Meadow Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison located in the hamlet of Comstock, New York. It was established in 1911 and is one of the oldest prisons in the state. The facility is designed to house male prisoners over the age of 18 who have been convicted of serious crimes.
As a maximum-security prison, Great Meadow Correctional Facility has strict security measures in place to ensure the safety of both inmates and staff. The facility has a special housing unit for inmates who require additional security measures due to their behavior or the nature of their crimes. The prison also has a Residential Mental Health Unit, which provides mental health services to inmates who require them.
Great Meadow Correctional Facility is part of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which oversees all state prisons in New York. The department is responsible for ensuring that inmates are housed in safe and secure conditions and that they receive the necessary services and programs to help them successfully re-enter society upon release.
| Security | Maximum |
| Capacity | 1,611 |
| Physical Address | 11739 State Route 22 Comstock, NY 12821-0051 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 51 Comstock, NY 12821-0051 |
| Can You Send Gifts? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Daily: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (518) 639-5516 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History and Location
Great Meadow Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison for male felons located in Comstock, New York, in Washington County. The facility is situated on a 1,600-acre plot of land, which was originally purchased by the state of New York in 1910. It was initially intended to be used as a tuberculosis sanatorium, but it was later converted into a prison.
The prison was opened in 1911, and it was initially called the New York State Sanatorium at Saranac Lake. In 1939, the name was changed to Great Meadow Correctional Facility. Over the years, the facility has been expanded several times to accommodate the growing number of inmates.
Great Meadow Correctional Facility is located in the town of Fort Ann, which is in the eastern part of Washington County. The facility is surrounded by farmland and forests, and it is located near the Vermont border. The prison is situated about 70 miles north of Albany, the capital of New York State.
The location of Great Meadow Correctional Facility was chosen because it is far away from urban centers, which makes it easier to maintain security. The facility is also located near several major highways, which makes it easy for staff and prison visitors to access the site.
Today, Great Meadow Correctional Facility is one of the largest prisons in New York State, with a capacity of over 1,500 inmates. The facility employs over 800 staff members, including prison officers, medical staff, and administrative personnel.
Facility and Infrastructure
Great Meadow Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison located in Fort Ann, New York. The facility is situated on a 1,400-acre piece of land and is surrounded by a 25-foot wall. The prison has a capacity of 1,611 inmates and is spread across multiple cell blocks.
The housing units at Great Meadow Correctional Facility are designed to hold up to 128 inmates each. The cells are equipped with a bed, a desk, and a toilet. Inmates are allowed to have personal items in their cells, such as a radio or a television, but these items must be approved by the prison staff.
The infrastructure at Great Meadow Correctional Facility includes a hospital, a gymnasium, and a library. The hospital provides medical care to the inmates, while the gymnasium and library are used for recreational and educational purposes. The prison also has a visiting area where family and friends can visit the inmates.
The prison has a number of programs designed to help inmates prepare for their release. These programs include vocational training, educational classes, and substance abuse treatment. Inmates who participate in these programs are more likely to successfully reintegrate into society upon their release.
Overall, Great Meadow Correctional Facility is a well-maintained institution with modern infrastructure. The prison staff is highly trained and dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff members.
Inmate Population and Overcrowding
Great Meadow Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison located in Comstock, New York, that houses adult males. As of the latest PREA audit report on June 30, 2021, the facility’s inmate population was 1,349. The facility has a design capacity of 1,611.
Overcrowding is a significant issue in many correctional facilities across the United States, but Great Meadow Correctional Facility has managed to keep its population below capacity. However, the facility has faced overcrowding in the past, and it has taken steps to address the issue. For example, the facility has implemented double-bunking in some of its cells, which allows two inmates to share a cell designed for one person.
Despite the efforts to manage the inmate population, overcrowding can still lead to negative consequences. Overcrowding can impact the safety and well-being of both inmates and staff. It can also lead to limited access to healthcare, education, and other essential services.
To address the issue of overcrowding, Great Meadow Correctional Facility has implemented several programs and initiatives. The facility offers educational and vocational programs to help inmates prepare for their eventual release and reentry into society. Additionally, the facility has implemented a drug treatment program to help inmates overcome addiction and reduce recidivism.
Overall, Great Meadow Correctional Facility has managed to keep its inmate population below capacity, but overcrowding remains a significant issue in many correctional facilities across the United States. The facility has taken steps to address the issue, but more work needs to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of both inmates and staff.
Education and Vocational Training
Great Meadow Correctional Facility offers a variety of educational and vocational training programs to help incarcerated individuals develop new skills and prepare for successful reentry into society. These programs include academic education, vocational training, industrial training, and more.
The facility provides adult basic education (ABE) and GED preparation classes to help individuals earn their high school equivalency diploma. In addition to ABE and GED classes, Great Meadow Correctional Facility offers vocational training programs in electrical, printing, welding, and computer technology.
The electrical program provides hands-on training in basic electrical principles, wiring, and installation. The printing program teaches inmates how to operate printing presses and bindery equipment, as well as how to design and lay out printed materials. The welding program provides training in welding techniques, safety procedures, and equipment maintenance. The computer technology program covers basic computer skills, such as typing, internet use, and software applications.
In addition to these vocational programs, Great Meadow Correctional Facility offers a variety of industrial training programs that allow inmates to gain work experience and earn a paycheck. These programs include Correctional Industries, which provides job opportunities in fields such as furniture manufacturing, metal fabrication, and printing.
Overall, Great Meadow Correctional Facility’s education and vocational training programs aim to provide inmates with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed both during and after their incarceration.
Visitation Rules and Regulations
Great Meadow Correctional Facility allows visitors to visit incarcerated individuals, but they must follow specific rules and regulations. These rules are established to ensure the safety of everyone involved and to maintain order within the facility.
Visiting hours at Great Meadow Correctional Facility are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, including weekends. However, visiting hours may be adjusted due to security concerns or other factors. Visitors are advised to call the facility to confirm visiting hours before arriving. The visitation schedule can be found here.
Visitors must be on the incarcerated individual’s approved visiting list. The incarcerated individual must submit a list of potential visitors to the facility, and each visitor must be approved before they can visit. Visitors must also provide valid identification, such as a driver’s license or passport before they can enter the facility.
Great Meadow Correctional Facility has a dress code for visitors. Visitors must wear appropriate clothing, including shoes and a shirt. Clothing that is revealing, such as shorts that are too short or tops that expose the midriff, is not allowed. Visitors are not permitted to wear clothing that resembles the clothing worn by incarcerated individuals or staff members.
Special Housing Unit Visiting Days & Hours are limited to one visit per week for SHU and BHU per current facility visiting policy. A maximum of two weekend visits per month is allowed. Each week begins on a Wednesday and ends on a Tuesday.
Contact visits may be allowed for incarcerated individuals who are not in disciplinary confinement. Contact visits are subject to the approval of the facility, and visitors may be subject to a pat-down search before entering the facility.
Overall, visitors to Great Meadow Correctional Facility must follow specific rules and regulations to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved. Visitors are encouraged to review the facility’s visiting rules and regulations before arriving to avoid any issues.
Inmate Services and Products
Great Meadow Correctional Facility offers various services and products to inmates to help them during their incarceration. These services and products include:
Phone Services
Inmates are allowed to make phone calls to their friends and family members during designated hours. They can purchase phone cards from the commissary to use the phones. The phone service provider for the facility is Securus Technologies.
Personal Care Products
Inmates can purchase personal care products from the commissary, including shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and deodorant. They can also purchase other items such as snacks, clothing, and stationery.
Cleaning and Personal Care Products
The facility provides cleaning and personal care products to inmates for free. These products include soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper.
Metal Furniture Manufacturing
Great Meadow Correctional Facility has a metal furniture manufacturing program that provides inmates with job training and work experience. The program teaches inmates how to manufacture metal furniture, which is then sold to other correctional facilities and government agencies.
Flooring
The facility also has a flooring program that provides inmates with job training and work experience. The program teaches inmates how to install and maintain flooring, which is then used in the facility and sold to other correctional facilities and government agencies.
Overall, Great Meadow Correctional Facility offers a range of services and products to inmates to help them during their incarceration. These services and products are designed to help inmates stay connected with their loved ones, maintain their personal hygiene, and gain valuable job training and work experience.
Security Measures and Special Units
Great Meadow Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison that houses male inmates aged 18 years and older. As a maximum-security facility, it employs strict security measures to ensure the safety of staff, inmates, and visitors. The facility has a Special Housing Unit (SHU) that is used for disciplinary segregation and for housing inmates who pose a security risk to the institution.
The SHU at Great Meadow Correctional Facility is a secure unit that is designed to separate inmates from the general population. It is used for disciplinary segregation, protective custody, and administrative segregation. Inmates in the SHU are subject to strict security measures, including limited visitation, restricted access to programs and services, and limited recreation time.
In addition to the SHU, Great Meadow Correctional Facility has a Residential Mental Health Unit (RMHU) that provides mental health treatment to inmates with serious mental illnesses. The RMHU is staffed by mental health professionals who provide a range of services, including medication management, individual therapy, and group therapy.
The facility also has a Protective Custody (PC) unit that is used to house inmates who require protection from other inmates. Inmates in PC are housed separately from the general population and are subject to strict security measures. The PC unit at Great Meadow Correctional Facility is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for inmates who require protection.
Overall, Great Meadow Correctional Facility employs a range of security measures and special units to ensure the safety of staff, inmates, and visitors. These measures include strict security protocols, limited visitation, and restricted access to programs and services. The facility’s SHU, RMHU, and PC units provide specialized care and housing for inmates who require additional support and protection.