February 12, 2008

DEMOCRATS CALL FOR SUMMIT ON INTERMUNICIPAL COOPERATION: JAILS & PRISONS

TROY--Members of the Democratic Minority are calling for a summit of state and county officials to explore alternative uses of McGregor while Rensselaer County is under state orders to construct a $50 million jail expansion.

At Tuesday's monthly legislative meeting, the six Democrats did not support an additional $12.5 million in bonds on top of the $38 million already earmarked for the county jail expansion. 

"The GOP played politics with the jail expansion all week, by issuing political press releases opposing it.  Then, they reversed their stance and voted for the $12.5 million bond," said Minority Leader Ginny O'Brien.

"Before we commit further tax dollars, we need to look at what alternatives are possible. The GOP wouldn't even consider any reasonable proposal.  They are more interested in blaming the state than looking for solutions,"  said Legislator Brian Zweig.

”Specifically, the Democrats’ hope that the summit will result in creative ways to use Mt. McGregor to house targeted populations of county jail inmates," said Minority Leader Ginny O'Brien.

Members of the Rensselaer County Democratic Minority have proposed using the State’s Mt. McGregor Correctional Facility currently slated for closure to save taxpayers from spending $50 million on the expansion of the Rensselaer County jail.

“The State is planning to close Mt. McGregor in nearby Saratoga County at the same time we are being mandated by the State to expand our jail. We believe there is an opportunity for intergovernmental cooperation that will save taxpayers money and also benefit the local economy,” stated Minority Leader Ginny O’Brien.

“It makes no sense to expand the County Jail in Troy at that same time that another facility in the neighboring county is being closed,” observed Legislator Peter Grimm.

“Given the County’s desperate financial situation, we need to look at all options to avoid increasing county debt,” added Legislator Keith Hammond, who serves on the County’s Budget and Finance Committee.

Legislator Flora Fasoldt noted “the financial problems being confronted by the state and counties are real and require cooperative and innovative solutions. Establishing a facility that could serve multiple counties would also be consistent with recommendations recently announced by Governor Spitzer to encourage regional and intergovernmental cooperation to save taxpayers money.

For example, the facility could be used to treat inmates with substance abuse problems or mental illness. This proposal offers the following benefits:

1)     Alternative to expanding the Rensselaer County Jail, potentially saving County taxpayers $50 million.

2)     Avoids closure of Camp McGregor and the negative impact of this closure on the Saratoga County economy.

3)     Potential new revenues to the State from housing county inmates.

4)     Reduce recidivism through specialized correctional programs, thereby reducing crime and jail populations in the future.

5)     Alternative for other counties that are currently farming out inmates and faced with their own mandated jail expansions.

“Nearby counties, such as Greene and Dutchess, are also farming out inmates because of overcrowding at their own jails,” noted Legislator Brian Zweig.

“Suffolk County is transporting inmates from Long Island all the way to the Albany County Jail. Offering specialized services at Mt. McGregor would give counties like these a better option to address jail overcrowding and potentially reduce crime, as well” concluded Zweig.