Senator Steve Saland (R,I,C – Poughkeepsie) today announced that the Senate has passed his legislation requiring the Department of Corrections to enter into agreements to house local inmates when the State Commission on Corrections determines it necessary to alleviate overcrowding at local correctional facilities (S.1429). 

At present, the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is considering the potential closure of state facilities.  At the same time, a number of county correctional facilities across the State are experiencing overcrowding issues.  Several counties have been issued temporary waivers from the State Commission on Corrections allowing them to exceed their current inmate bed capacity while some county facilities have entered into agreements with other county facilities to temporarily ease overcrowding issues. 

“At a time when the State is experiencing an economic downturn and building costs have escalated, we should be utilizing existing space before asking taxpayers to fund capital costs that can be avoided if a shared services approach is fiscally prudent,” stated Senator Saland.  “This measure just makes good economic sense. It will not only alleviate overcrowding but should provide significant savings to counties who would otherwise have to invest in expansion or new buildings.”