The Catskill Chronicle

An inmate stacks time in the Sullivan County Jail.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

MONTICELLO – The Sullivan County Jail is showing its age, and according to NYS Commission of Corrections Chairman Thomas A. Beilein must be replaced with a new facility estimated to cost local taxpayers already hard-hit by a sagging economy upwards of $70 million.

The jail, described by Beilein at a January 23 public meeting regarding the county jail as “a dungeon” originally dates from 1909. At present, the jail consists of 207 cells (inclusive of a 46 man dormitory), with cells added to the original number of 37 in 1957 (52 cells), 1985 (36 cells) and a 36-cell modular in 1989 that was designed for a limited life–span of five years.

In a report to the community during the public meeting, county officials reported that “the existing jail is in poor condition and fails to meet minimum requirements of the NYC COC on several items…of the207 cells, 60 do not meet the state’s minimum standard of 60 square feet [and] the existing recreation yard does not meet the minimum requirement of 1500 square feet…”

At the earliest, the new jail facility could begin operation in 2014. There would be a one-time increase in the property tax levy of approximately 10-percent.

During a tour of the old jail before the public meeting, Beilein found thing so bad on the third floor of the 1909 wing that he ordered that floor shut down and imposed a ‘stay of execution’ on the 1950’s cell block, noting that while a lot of things need to be fixed “…we would approve them on a short term basis.”

“Your jail is crumbling,” said Beilein. “It’s not a good structure…it’s a structure that’s deteriorating…it’s completely unacceptable.”

Photo captions – top to bottom and left to right:

Deputy/Corrections Officer Allie Kliengardner opens a barred door into the 1909 wing: note the octagonal bars.

Sunlight filters through an iron-barred window on the third floor of the 1909 wing.

Linear cell block designs are outdated and pose security risks.

Deputy Joseph Manning operates a vintage lockbox that controls access to the cells. After the public meeting Commissioner Beilein said such devices would be right at home on “The Antiques Road Show.”

A linear cell block.

Razor wire surrounds the recreational yard as an escape deterrent.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Inside the Sullivan County Jail visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Expanded story on the public meeting coming soon….