Over the last decade, New York has closed prisons around upstate communities as its population of incarcerated people has dwindled. 

Now, Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration is trying to weigh what to do with a dozen former prison sites scattered around New York that remain vacant. 

A commission studying the issue on Thursday released a report outlining the potential for development, but also the myraid challenges in converting the purpose-built prisons into something else. Many of the sites sit in relatively isolated and rural areas of upstate New York. 

Hochul earlier this year called for a study of how revamp the former prisons. The former Cuomo administration had pushed to close the facilities, arguing incareration should not be an economic development plan for upstate New York. 

But many of the prisons were allowed to lie fallow, with no plan for development. 

"As we continue to move New York's economy forward, we are investing in communities across the state, including reimagining closed prison properties as hubs of regional opportunity," Hochul said. "I am pleased that the Commission has done their due diligence and made these recommendations based on community input to create jobs, save taxpayer money, and bring these buildings to new life as economic engines."

The report by the commission provides some details for what's possible: Converting a prison into a site for renewable energy projects as well as converting them into commercial housing. 

The report recommended some next steps, including the launch of a redevelopment fund for the prisons that would make money available for local developers. The report also backed the creation of a process to work with local officials in nearby communities to build consensus. 

"This report lays out a plan to reposition New York state's shuttered prisons as a source of economic and cultural vitality, ensuring that impacted communities have the tools they need to thrive," said Darren Walker, the co-chair of the commission. "We are grateful for the commission's recommendations and look forward to seeing these redevelopment plans take shape."