Submitted by Peter Wilson, Seneca Strong Coordinator/Supervisor
Pretrial Release is a program designed to alleviate jail overcrowding and provide a savings to our county taxpayers for unnecessary incarceration. It costs approximately $125/day to house an inmate in the Cattaraugus County Jail. Under the umbrella of Pretrial Release, there are three options available to the Courts to release defendants from incarceration while they are in pretrial status. Those options are:
• Release on Recognizance (ROR)
• Release Under Supervision (RUS)
• Bail Reduction
Assessments of inmates are done on a daily basis to determine whether they qualify for release and recommendations are made to the Courts based upon these assessments. Those with low flight risk, with stability in the community, incarcerated on minor offenses who cannot afford bail may be recommended for ROR. Those with problem areas to be addressed may be recommended for RUS and supervised by an Alternatives to Incarceration Specialist, who will enforce Orders and Conditions for Release imposed by the Court, including but not limited to abstinence from alcohol and drugs and alcohol/drug or mental health treatment.
County has taken this step further and offers a Native Americans Alternatives to Incarceration program. This program is stationed right here at Seneca Strong Offices. Probation Officer Collin Quigley is teamed up with our Culture Peer Advocate Darcy Scott, to provide this service. Clients come to this program by referral from the local and county courts. Prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, they offered journaling groups and culture based groups and workshops. Right now we have Darcy conducting the Red Road Wellbriety Group.
If you have any questions about the groups or the program, please call the Seneca Strong office at (716) 945-8413 and ask for Collin or Darcy. They will be glad to speak with you.
