Published: June 14, 2009 11:00 am      

JAIL: 17 cells reopen following update

When the state Commission of Correction deemed 17 of the cells in the Orleans County Jail unfit, prisoners had to be housed elsewhere and modifications had to be made.

Now, after months of labor, all 17 cells have reopened, and Thursday the last of the Orleans County prisoners returned.

The jail has been under scrutiny for some time due to its age and condition. Last year, it became apparent to local lawmakers that something more had to be done than simply house prisoners elsewhere. The Jail Committee, under the direction of Legislator Lynne Johnson, has been meeting regularly to devise a plan for the future of the facility.

“In January, a new chairman for the Commission of Correction took over — Thomas Beilein — and he has a willingness to entertain more creative solutions to our problem,” Johnson said. “We have worked diligently to bring the existing facility up to standards after closing the 17 cells. These new repairs will give us a window of opportunity to explore long-term solutions with our neighbors.”

Johnson and the Jail Committee have been working closely with Genesee County, talking about the possibility of opening a regional jail to accommodate prisoners in both Orleans and Genesee counties. The Center for Governmental Research has been hired to do a study to determine if a regional facility would be economically feasible.

“We have to look at what’s the best taxpayer solution,” Johnson said. “A study hasn’t been done since the early 1970s, and right now, the promising thing is the good working relationship we have with Genesee County.”

Unfortunately, there is one large snag: Currently under New York state law, a regional jail is not allowed. Johnson is hoping that with Beilein’s support, that situation may change in the future.

“There’s no final solution yet,” Johnson said. “Genesee County is willing to work with us, and they’re not under the gun as bad as we are yet, but in 10 years they will be in the situation. We’re looking at every single option.”

In order to repair the facility, the buildings and grounds crew — and the inmates, themselves — were put to work improving the jail. Johnson said the building has a whole new look, and she was very pleased with the efforts put in by the staff to improve the jail. Legislature Chairman Henry Smith Jr. said he extended his hand for all the hard work put in by the buildings and ground crews, and was impressed the repairs were made in such a timely fashion.

“Thursday, the last one of our inmates being boarded-out returned,” Johnson said. She said the next Jail Committee meeting will be scheduled as soon as the study is completed by CGR.