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Quicker Sentencing Needed To Reduce Jail Cost Overruns

Last week, Chautauqua County residents received a reminder just how important the work of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council really is..

Members of the Chautauqua County Legislatur’s Audit and Control committee spent much of their meeting approving changes to balance out the 2016 budget, including $700,000 in cost overruns at the Chautauqua County Jail. Sheriff Joe Gerace told committee members the cost overruns were caused by a rising number of inmates, some of whom such as drug addicts require constant watch, and an increasing cost associated with mandated staffing in the jail. Pierre Chagnon, R-Bemus Point and committee chairman, was right on the money when he noted progress in reigning in costs of the jail budget despite the overruns. There is more work to be done.

Gerace said part of the problem has been getting inmates sentenced quickly enough, particularly inmates who would end up being sentenced to state prison. The longer it takes to reach sentencing, the longer those inmates spend in the county jail on the county’s budget instead of in state prison on the state’s budget. Having a local judge back on the bench after the retirement of Judge John Ward in Chautauqua County Court could help the sentencing situation. A report following the January visit by the federal Department of Justice is also likely to have suggestions of local and state policies that could change to alleviate the situation.

There are 700,000 reasons why the county needs help decreasing the jail population. We’re glad to hear Gerace reiterating support for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s work during last week’s Audit and Control Committee meeting. As Chagnon can attest, progress has been made; and there is plenty more work yet to be done.

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