1,000 signatures reached
To: Erie County Legislators
No New Erie County Jail
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We say no new Erie County jail!
Last year, the Erie County Executive announced plans to begin building a new mega jail, which would cost upwards of $200 million of taxpayer dollars. Shockingly, the County had planned to spend $2.5 million dollars for a feasibility study for this facility which we managed to reduce to $750,000. This decision is particularly troubling given the current state of our jails, which are not only mismanaged but continue to be perilous, with seven of our neighbors tragically losing their lives while in custody since November 2021 and over 35 people since 2006. This proposed mega jail represents a misplaced allocation of funds and fails to address our communities' pressing needs.
We vehemently oppose the construction of a new jail in Erie County. Instead of investing in a new correctional facility, we advocate for redirecting public funds to address the root causes of crime, including poverty, housing insecurity, and a lack of mental and behavioral health services. By allocating resources to community programs and social services, we can make significant strides toward achieving genuine community safety.
It is time for our elected officials to listen to the concerns of the community and stop the proposed construction of a new jail. We urge them to prioritize community safety through investments in programs that uplift and support Erie County residents, rather than perpetuating a system that has proven to be both ineffective and detrimental.
WE DEMAND THAT THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE:
1. Stop any plans towards building a new jail.
2. Close one of the two facilities and update the remaining facility. The capacity of the remaining jail must be less than the current capacity of the two existing jails.
3. In the update of the remaining jail facility, a percentage of the money allocated to updating the facility must be invested in community programs (as defined by this campaign).
4. The sheriff and other law enforcement entities must not oversee the funded community resources.
Last year, the Erie County Executive announced plans to begin building a new mega jail, which would cost upwards of $200 million of taxpayer dollars. Shockingly, the County had planned to spend $2.5 million dollars for a feasibility study for this facility which we managed to reduce to $750,000. This decision is particularly troubling given the current state of our jails, which are not only mismanaged but continue to be perilous, with seven of our neighbors tragically losing their lives while in custody since November 2021 and over 35 people since 2006. This proposed mega jail represents a misplaced allocation of funds and fails to address our communities' pressing needs.
We vehemently oppose the construction of a new jail in Erie County. Instead of investing in a new correctional facility, we advocate for redirecting public funds to address the root causes of crime, including poverty, housing insecurity, and a lack of mental and behavioral health services. By allocating resources to community programs and social services, we can make significant strides toward achieving genuine community safety.
It is time for our elected officials to listen to the concerns of the community and stop the proposed construction of a new jail. We urge them to prioritize community safety through investments in programs that uplift and support Erie County residents, rather than perpetuating a system that has proven to be both ineffective and detrimental.
WE DEMAND THAT THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE:
1. Stop any plans towards building a new jail.
2. Close one of the two facilities and update the remaining facility. The capacity of the remaining jail must be less than the current capacity of the two existing jails.
3. In the update of the remaining jail facility, a percentage of the money allocated to updating the facility must be invested in community programs (as defined by this campaign).
4. The sheriff and other law enforcement entities must not oversee the funded community resources.
Why is this important?
This proposed mega jail represents a misplaced allocation of funds and fails to address our communities' pressing needs. Instead of investing in a new correctional facility, we advocate for redirecting public funds to address the root causes of crime, including poverty, housing insecurity, and a lack of mental and behavioral health services. By allocating resources to community programs and social services, we can make significant strides toward achieving genuine community safety.