Senate Resolution No. 564

BY: Senator STEC

COMMEMORATING the history of the Clinton Annex

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those state prisons and their leadership that strengthen the
quality and character of life in this great Empire State, and to
commemorate the histories of such correctional facilities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the history of the Clinton Annex; and

WHEREAS, In 1899, a mental health facility, the Dannemora State
Hospital for Insane Convicts, was built on the grounds to the east of
Clinton Prison to house prisoners who became insane while serving their
sentence; and

WHEREAS, Such prisoners were also retained in the facility if they
remained insane following the completion of their sentence; and

WHEREAS, This facility was built by both prison staff and inmates;
its name was changed to the Dannemora State Hospital in 1912; and

WHEREAS, It closed in 1972, becoming the Adirondack Correctional
Treatment and Evaluation Center which closed in 1975 when it was
converted into the Clinton Annex and Camp Adirondack; and

WHEREAS, The Clinton Annex was classified as a Maximum-Security
Facility and Mental Health Service Level 3 Facility; the operating
capacity was approximately 834 inmates; and

WHEREAS, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on December 21, 2020,
this facility will cease operation as of March 30, 2021; and

WHEREAS, The Line of Duty deaths at the Clinton Annex include: Dr.
Charles H. North, Superintendent, Dannemora State Hospital who died on
December 12, 1917; Dr. North, Superintendent for 13 years at the
hospital for the criminally insane, had finished speaking with an inmate
when the inmate stabbed him in the back with a chisel; and Claude W.
Cromie, Correction Officer, Clinton Correctional Facility who died on
February 6, 1982; Mr. Cromie was escorting a disruptive inmate from the
dayroom of a housing unit when he was assaulted and suffered a fatal
heart attack; and

WHEREAS, The quality of life in New York State is largely reflective
of the commitment and dedication demonstrated by members of the agencies
which serve to protect, preserve and maintain public order; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
long-standing efforts of those agencies in the State of New York which
diligently contribute to the efficient operation of our criminal justice
system; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the history of the Clinton Annex; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Clinton Correctional Facility.