The St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility serves the public with an efficiently operated, secure and humane correction system. It uses innovation and technology in many ways, such as offering a credit card bail system to inmates and a notification system for crime victims to check on the release of prisoners. The Correctional Facility is headed by Sheriff Patrick R. Engle. Located in Canton, New York, the jail consists of:
- inmates (18 years or older) accused of a crime or awaiting sentencing and
- sentenced inmates who are committed to a term up to one year
The jail complies with all local, state and federal legal requirements as well as nationally accepted professional correctional standards.
History
The St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility, located at 17 Commerce Lane, Canton, NY 13617, opened in May 2009 replacing the undersized and aging facility located on Judson St. in the Village of Canton. The new facility’s innovative design was created by SMRT Architects out of Portland, Maine and provides the facility with an efficient, safe and modern environment for management of its inmate population through the principles of direct supervision.
At approximately 93,000 square feet, the facility sits on 22.5 acres. The inmate capacity is 164 single cells and 186 when authorization for double cells is granted by the NYS Commission of Correction. The cost of the facility was roughly $32.5 million with the capabilities of expansion already designed into the mechanical and service elements of the facility which will support at least two additional 60 bed housing units.
The direct supervision facility was designed to provide more efficient treatment and control for all inmates. The facility lay-out, modern computerized security electronics system and improved safety equipment allow the new facility to operate safely and effectively with the same number of staff as the old jail but with twice the inmate population. Two 60 bed housing units, one 36 bed housing unit, and one 30 bed housing unit replace the old facility’s 13 linear style housing units and one 30 bed dormitory unit. Separate spaces for medical and mental health, education programs, intake and visitation allows the new facility more flexibility in conducting daily operations as opposed to the constraints found at the old facility where it was necessary for these services to compete for shared spaces. The Central Control room is situated to be able to safely maintain sight-lines along all movement corridors of the building. The exterior of the building is designed to look more like an industrial or institutional building with limited fencing as the building’s features themselves act as the secure perimeter. There are more than 96 security cameras located inside and outside the building. A majority of support services are provided for the inmates within the housing units themselves to reduce movement along the interior of the facility. Basic sanitation needs from building clean-up to laundry services at the facility is provided by inmate workers.
The facility is staffed under the direction of Sheriff Brooks Bigwarfe, Jail Administrator Peggy Harper and Assistant Jail Administrator Timothy Amo II, supported by six (6) sergeants, three (3) corporals, forty-seven (47) full-time Officers, and fourteen (14) part-time Officers. Also employed is a civilian support staff consisting of four (4) kitchen employees, nursing staff which includes overlapping coverage up to twelve (12) hours a day and one (1) Records Officer. A Buildings and Grounds maintenance staff of three (3) is on site daily. Educational services are provided thru St. Lawrence BOCES.
Directions to the Facility
FROM POTSDAM
Start out going West on NY-11B/Elm Street toward Lawrence Ave./US-11. Continue to follow Elm Street. Turn Right onto US-11/NY-56/Market Street. Turn Left onto US-11/Sandstone Drive. Continue to follow US-11. Turn Left onto Gouverneur Street/US-11. Turn Right onto Commerce Lane.
FROM OGDENSBURG
Start out going Northeast on Fine Street toward Congress Street. Turn Right onto State Street. State Street becomes NY-812. Turn Left to take the RT-37/RT-812 ramp. Merge onto NY-37/NY-812. Turn Right onto NY-68. Turn Right onto Gouverneur Street/US-11. Turn Right onto Commerce Lane.
FROM GOUVERNEUR
Start out going North on NY-58/NY-812 toward Old Route-58 N. Turn Right onto East Main ST/US-11/NY-812/CR-78. Continue to follow US-11. Turn Left onto Commerce Lane.
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