Prisoners all gone from state prison in Adirondacks

All the prisoners are gone from Camp Gabriels in the Adirondacks, and 55 corrections officers will leave by the end of the week.

The minimum-security camp is one of three prison camps being closed due to a declining number of inmates and to save the state $26 million over the next two years.

The inmates have been moved to other prisons, and most of the officers have taken new assignments in other facilities in the region.

Next comes the task of cleaning out the former camp and deciding what to do with it. Camp Gabriels has almost 50 buildings, including dormitories, guard posts and a dining hall. By July 1, the camp will stand empty and closed.

St. Joseph's Rehabilitation Center in Saranac Lake has proposed a plan for reuse of the site as an addiction treatment center.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)