SOUTH PLYMOUTH – The state correctional officer’s union has announced that it will fight the state’s Department of Correctional Services plan to close four prison camps including Camp Pharsalia and Georgetown.

Vice President for the New York State Correctional Officers Tom Haas said he believed the proposed savings from the closures were “misleading numbers.”

“They will still have inmates’ upkeep costs and salaries, officers and non-uniform staff will be transferred, not eliminated, and the move will spread cost to county and other state positions,” Haas said.

Gov. David Paterson’s proposed the closing of the four camps as part of his 2009-10 state budget cuts. This is the second time since November that the governor has aimed to cut back at the minimum security facility, which state officials claim is below 50 percent capacity and needs to be consolidated into other facilities.

The New York State Department of Correctional Services began implementing an $8.7 million savings plan in November closing one of camp’s housing units.

The DOCS estimates the closure of Pharsalia and Georgetown, along with the two other camps, will save the state $26 million by 2010.