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| Jail cell shortage costing big bucks |
| By watertowndailytimes.com - DAVID C. SHAMPINE |
| Published: 05/25/2011 |
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Several counties in New York no longer can accept inmates for Jefferson County's overcrowded jail, Sheriff John P. Burns said Tuesday. The jail population Tuesday at the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building was 146 inmates, two more than New York's Commission of Correction will tolerate, he said. But the counties where he has been "outboarding" his prisoners now have no vacancies. "Everybody is filled up; nobody has any room," the sheriff said. "Even Clinton County, and their facility is huge." The county has 52 inmates housed in Broome, Lewis, Madison, Oneida and St. Lawrence counties, he said. Today, his staff will be searching as far as Buffalo, hoping to find cell availability. Meanwhile, Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, will be introducing today to the state Senate the draft of a bill that could offer some relief to jails across the state, her office revealed Tuesday. If it becomes law, the state will be required to take "state-ready" prisoners and parole violators off the hands of county jailers within 10 days. "We have been in conversation with the state sheriffs' association, trying to find a way to address the jail crowding situation, not just in Jefferson County, but in several counties," said James E. Reagen, the senator's spokesman. "Costs are being shifted from the state to local governments without any assistance being provided. This bill should help," he said. The Commission of Correction sets an occupancy limit of 80 percent. Sheriff Burns said the purpose of the empty-bed requirement is to allow flexibility in keeping certain inmates separated from the general population, perhaps because of their age, or for protection or for special watch. Because the jail has been dealing with overcrowding for several years, the commission gave Jefferson County a variance, increasing the rate to 90 percent — 144 beds. Last year, the county budgeted $250,000 to pay for boarding inmates in other counties, but the final cost, including transportation expenses, was $957,126, according to the sheriff. Read More. |
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