Local leaders gathered Wednesday to oppose the state’s decision to close six prisons before next spring, including the Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill. 

All inmates will be transferred to other state prisons or county jails and all staff will be offered jobs for transfer.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro says the governor’s office gave him no advance notice that the closures were happening.

"The state's failure to work with local leaders, state legislators, and the people most affected—the employees—to develop both a plan for announcement, plan for closure, and plan for redevelopment is continued victimization, and it's irresponsible,” said Molinaro.

The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association Union also criticize the closures. 

 "Currently in the state of New York in this agency, the morale is not very good at all. We're dealing with a lot of violence in our facilities, we're dealing with a lot of contraband in our facilities,” said Michael Powers of the NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association.