From left, Chautauqua County Public Defender Nathaniel Barone, Jamestown City Treatment Court Coordinator Catherine Newton, Jamestown City Chief Clerk Lisa Cannon, Jamestown City Treatment Court Case Manager Jordan Woleen, Jamestown City Court Judge George Panebianco, Chautauqua County Undersheriff James Rensel, Sheriff’s Deputy Capt. Jacob Stahley, Chautauqua County Assistant District Attorney Amber Payne, and Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Phillip Lombardo honor Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone. Rensel accepted the award on behalf of Quattrone. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone and Jamestown City Treatment Court participants were recognized Monday.

Treatment Court participants shared submissions reflecting on what the program has meant to them.

“What you are doing is not easy,” Treatment Court Judge George Panebianco said to the participants. “We appreciate what you have been doing.”

Catherine Newton, treatment court resource coordinator, also invited members of the community to join them in recognizing the accomplishments of the treatment court program and to honor Quattrone, who was presented with a commitment to excellence award. Accepting on his behalf was Undersheriff James Rensel.

According to a prepared statement, Quattrone and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office have demonstrated a commitment to supporting individuals affected by substance use and mental health disorders. Their partnership with the Treatment Court program has been instrumental in assisting participants particularly by facilitating transportation to access critical inpatient treatment services throughout the region.

“The Jamestown City Treatment Court seeks to provide an expedited case processing method for non-violent substance abusing defendants that encourages treatment and supervision. The goal of the JCTC program is to reduce the cost of the criminal justice system by preventing recidivism caused by untreated alcohol/drug abuse and mental health disorders,” the statement said.

The court holds the distinction of establishing the first drug court, and the first mental health court and Veterans treatment court in Chautauqua County. Since its inception in February 2000, the program has expanded its jurisdiction to accept hub drug court transfers involving misdemeanor cases from town and village courts throughout the County. Additionally, felonies are heard through Jamestown City Court when acting in county court capacity.

The treatment court has partnerships with several local agencies including Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, Chautauqua County Public Defender’s Office, and Chautauqua Office of Probation. Additional supportive services are provided through community partnerships including

Chautauqua County Mental Hygiene, UPMC Healthcare Systems, TLC Behavioral Health, Safe- Point Lighthouse and The Resource Center. Ancillary services include community education and

awareness offered by Chautauqua County Chapter of National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI, peer advocacy services offered by Chautauqua County Mental Health Association, housing and vocational training through Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL) and Veteran Justice / Mentor services through the local Veterans Affairs office.