Up the River...

Last month, my brother went to Sicily on vacation. He's been to Italy a few times and this was his first trip to the island. He mailed out a bunch of post cards to relatives and expected it would take weeks for the mail to arrive. He was right.
Responses from cousins were all positive. Many were interested as he's continuing his genealogy quest finding 6 or 7 generations of family back to the 'old country'.
One of our cousins he's in touch with lived in New York City, retired a few years ago and recently moved to Ossining. I didn't know that name and my brother said it's where Sing Sing prison is.

Sing Sing said I... and he said "Don't you remember all those black & white mobster movies when someone was sent up the river? They went to Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining"

As we were talking, I called up a map on the computer and see Ossining is a village in Westchester County, New York. It's on the Hudson River about 30 miles north of NYC, just along the train tracks.

I get it... so when they said "They sent him up the river" they were referring to Sing Sing!


I did a blog not long ago about a website called Yelp! where people could review business. Typically, it's restaurants and the review allowed for comments and a 1 to 5 star rating.
As funny as it seems, Sing Sing is on Yelp!
People actually reviewed the prison and made comments...

4 stars
"Amazing place, good food and comfy beds just watch your back in the shower"

1 star
"Not crazy about this new-fangled "industrial" decor. I guess people will go for just about anything. And talk about minimalism! You'd think the view of the water must be spectacular but not one window in my room, I mean really...
I guess there must have been some kind of tattoo convention in town, going by the other guests. Bunch of control freaks run this place. Manager was busting my chops just because I had my light on late at night. I can understand electricity bills and all, but really? If I could give zero stars I would."

2 stars
"The perfect way to turn-off from the world. No phones or WiFi - allows to fully unwind..."

5 stars
"The view here is much nicer than that Rikers place. Would stay here again!"

4 stars
"Not a bad place to stay. Was under the impression the room had a balcony and was disappointed to find out it didn’t. They don’t change the sheets too often and the staff is a bit unfriendly and not too concerned with guest’s needs. Having said that, it’s free so I can’t complain."

5 stars
"Great place a real microcosm of everything New York represents multiple ethnic and national groups from all walks of life living in close proximity to one another food and rooms are a little on the small side but I ain’t complaining and besides legally speaking the staff aren’t actually required by law to feed us"

1 star
"WHY do prisons INSIST on you getting job training or your GED??? You're a FELON, you'll NEVER get a decent paying job with a felony record-even after 30 years out of prison!! (I speak from experience) Maybe THAT'S why the U.$ has the world's highest recidivism rate!!!!"

5 stars
"Can't wait to get back inside"

5 stars
"Free roof, food, and healthcare. Better treatment than the people in Manhattan receive."


Hey folks, it's a prison and not a motel. Sheesh!