New York is preparing to close down two of its prisons for good. But the state’s process in doing so has led to controversy.  

There’s a lot of frustration and sadness over the sudden closure of the Great Meadows and Sullivan Correctional Facility prisons, which stem from the state giving limited notice to staff of these closures.

New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) said the state’s 90-day notice for closure is not enough for staff to find new jobs and potentially move.

But a majority of workers from the two prisons have found work at nearby facilities or with local law enforcement. The state maintains the prisons were closed due to declining inmate populations.

Staff from Great Meadows held a so-called funeral for its closure Wednesday. Members of the community are unsure about what the future holds.

“A Cumberland Farms down there, Dunkin' Donuts and the Big Stop down there is a 40 and truck stop," said Donald Ballard, a retired corrections officer. "I’d go down there in the morning out for coffee, but you get here in the morning to see eight, 10, 12 officers and civilians that come in and get breakfast and lunch to go, and you won’t have that no more. So it's going to hurt local businesses, yes.”

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) says all incarcerated individuals have been transported to new facilities, and re-assigned staff will start at their new jobs on Nov. 7.