In 1970, Auburn Prison name was
changed to Auburn Correctional Facility,
to reflect a change in the philosophy of
the penal system in New York State.
The
facility continues to be a walled,
maximum-security prison for male
convicts. In March 2003, the inmate
population totaled 1,696, of whom 58%
were black, 23% were Hispanic, 17% were
white, and 2% belonged to other ethnic
groups. An effort is made by prison
management to balance the ethnic
make-up of both living and working
areas within the prison.
Prison employees, both civilians
and members of the Department of
Correctional Services, are active participants in
the life of the community. Shift work
enables many to volunteer. Generations
of Au6urn children have been coached at
sports, lead in scouting, or taken on field
trips by corrections officers.
Auburn Correctional Facility, with
more than 840 full-time employees, is
today the largest employer in Cayuga
County. With an annual payroll of $26 million for Department of Correctional Services
officers, $3.5 million for civilian staff, and
another $2.4 million for prison industry
staff, the prison remains a vital economic
engine in the county.
The plate shop in the Auburn prison still produces
every license plate in New York State.
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The prison continues
to present a desirable career choice for
county residents -- several men and
women employed today at the Auburn
prison represent the third, even fourth
generation in their families to work there.
There are brother-brother pairs, father-son pairs, and husband and wife pairs, all
making a living at Auburn's longest lasting
business -- the state prison at Auburn.
The history of Auburn Prison has
been written about extensively.
This synopsis could not have
been possible without access to
the work of:
- John Miskell
- James L. Rust
- Donald K. Wilson
- Elliott G. Storke
This exhibit is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. This exhibit is funded, in part by the City of Auburn, Cayuga County, and the members of the Cayuga Museum of History and Art.
Cover illustration by Cheryl Chalmers.
