Regional jail collaboration in Hudson Valley
is focus of study

The Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO) has released the second of a planned series of discussion briefs on regional issues, titled “A Collaborative, Regional Approach to Jailing in the Hudson Valley.”

The study, performed by CRREO Director and Associate Vice President for Regional Engagement Gerald Benjamin, and Research Associate Joshua Simons, suggests that at a time when there is still significant pressure to expand upon and build new jails, there is already enough jail capacity in the eight Hudson Valley counties considered in the study to meet current and future regional needs.

The discussion brief states that “…bolstered by state and national statistics documenting increased demand, the New York State Commission of Correction used a combination of its powers with remarkable persistence over years and even decades to push, pull, induce and – some county officials would say – coerce counties to spend their resources to construct new facilities designed to meet current and projected jailing needs.”

Benjamin noted that, “A regional approach to jailing promises to save taxpayers in the Hudson Valley tens of millions of dollars in capital costs and reduce operating costs as well, without sacrificing public health and safety or compromising the care or rights of prisoners.”

One aspect of CRREO’s mission is to bring key regional concerns to the attention of citizens and policy makers to support their informed discussion of the public policy problems facing the Hudson Valley.

“Quality information will help us to work together to develop our own, local solutions and advance the need for changes at the state level,” added Benjamin.

This discussion brief is a part of an ongoing project to consider regional approaches to jailing undertaken in collaboration with Pattern for Progress and Orange, Sullivan and Ulster County governments. It is the second of several discussion papers on a variety of other issues that the CRREO believes will help citizens and policy makers make informed decisions.

For a PDF of Discussion Brief #2 or more information about CRREO, visit www.newpaltz.edu/crreo.