Shawangunk Correctional Facility

Shawangunk Correctional Facility

Location	200 Quick Road Wallkill, New York
Status	Operational
Security class	Maximum
Capacity	558
Opened	1983
Managed by	New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

Shawangunk Correctional Facility is a maximum security prison for males located in the Town of Shawangunk, Ulster County, New York in the United States. ^[1] The facility lies just outside the Ulster County hamlet of Wallkill, whose post office serves it.

History

The prison was constructed in 1983 to expand the maximum-security capabilities of the state prison system and is located near the existing Wallkill Correctional Facility, a medium security prison. The co-location was designed so that services by both facilities could be shared, thus reducing the costs of each prison.^{[ citation needed ]}

The new prison opened in 1985 and was fully operational by 1986. Participation in vocational programs at Shawangunk was the highest of any prison gauged by the Correctional Association of New York. In addition to college courses and library access, Shawangunk offers four vocational courses: Carpentry, computer operator, general business and print shop. ^{[2] [3]}

Notable inmates

• David Berkowitz, serial killer better known as "Son of Sam", who murdered 6 people and injured 11 others in New York City between 1975 and 1977. Serving a life sentence, he has been denied parole multiple times. ^{[4] [5]}
• Santino Boderick, member of GS9, sentenced in 2017 to 117.5-130 years after being convicted of gang-related violence, including attempted murder, that took place in Brooklyn, New York between January 2013 and December 2014. ^[6]
• Robert Chambers, who pled guilty to the manslaughter of Jennifer Levin and served a sentence of 15 years; after release he was convicted of drug crimes, for which he eventually received a new sentence of 19 years. Chambers was released from the facility in July 2023. ^{[7] [8]}
• Larry Davis, tried for the attempted murder of a police officer and acquitted by pleading self-defense; later convicted in an unrelated murder of a drug dealer and sentenced to 25 years-to-life; died in prison in a stabbing by a fellow inmate. ^{[9] [10]}
• David Gilbert, member of the radical Weather Underground Organization; sentenced in 1983 to 75 years-to-life (later commuted to 40-to-life) on three counts of felony murder in the 1981 Brinks robbery. Paroled, 2021. ^[11]
• Craig Godineaux, co-perpetrator of the Wendy's massacre; sentenced to life in prison. ^[12]

References

1. Brant, Abbott (15 July 2015). "Shawangunk prison correction officer injured by inmate". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
2. "New report reveals healthcare and staffing concerns at Shawangunk prison". New York: FingerLakes1.com. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
3. "Monitoring Visit to Shawangunk Correctional Facility" (PDF). Correctional Association of New York. June 2025. p. 3,23.
4. "Son of Sam killer denied parole for 6th time". News 12 - Brooklyn. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
5. Lescaze, Leo (13 June 1978). "Berkowitz Given Maximum 25-Years-to-Life Sentences". New York: The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
6. Ivey, Justin. "GS9 Member Santino Boderick Sentenced to More Than 117 Years in Prison". XXL Mag. Townsquare Media, LLC. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
7. Harris, Chris (26 August 2019). "Everything to Know About 'Preppy Murder' Case 33 Years After N.Y.C. Teen's Death in Central Park". People. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
8. "'Preppy Killer' Robert Chambers released from prison after 15-year sentence in drug, assault case". CBS New York. July 29, 2023. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
9. Garland, Sarah (2008-02-21). "Man Arraigned in Killing of Police Shooter". New York Sun . Retrieved 2008-02-21.
10. Wolff, Craig (1991-04-26). "Defiant Larry Davis gets 25 years to life in killing". The New York Times. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
11. "David Gilbert Describes Journey From Activist to Brink's Robbery Role at Parole Hearing". NBC New York. 2021-12-31. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
12. Murphy, Mary (11 February 2020). "Wendy's massacre shooter who killed 5 regrets taking plea deal, tells his version 20 years later interview". PIX11.

External links

• New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

41°38′06″N74°09′50″W / 41.63500°N 74.16389°W / 41.63500; -74.16389