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The current county jail does not have enough space for the total number of inmates and for years, the county has needed to house massive numbers of inmates in other county jails at annual cost of more than $8 million. Since 2005, the county has been under direct order from the New York State Commission of Correction to create adequate space.
Over the past four years, the county has been working on a comprehensive analysis of the county's entire criminal justice system and is encouraging residents to attend the 6 p.m. meeting to learn more about the work and research.
The proposed center will be a modern facility that will be less costly taxpayers, while continuing and expanding the county's diversion and intervention programs to provide a comprehensive system of justice.
The proposal includes a $2 million investment in youth services and crime prevention to truly break the cycle and reduce the number of young people who enter the criminal justice system. With so many opportunities to empower kids and prevent crime, the county will conduct the most extensive analysis of youth services and crime prevention ever undertaken to identify strengths, weaknesses, gaps in service and opportunities to improve. In addition, they plan to create a comprehensive action plan for crime prevention and youth empowerment programs and will partner with the City of Poughkeepsie and others to build a Youth Services Center.
Legislature meetings are webcast and can be viewed here.
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