Bail by its very nature is inequitable. People who have the cash to post it are able to buy their freedom — even if it’s temporary — while people of limited means have to stay in jail. Examples of the disparity aren’t hard to find. On July 18, a man was booked into the Monroe […]
Monroe County Jail
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Monroe County Jail launching drug treatment unit
The Monroe County Jail will open its first medication-assisted treatment unit on January 22. The unit will provide dedicated housing and services for inmates with substance abuse problems – specifically opioid and alcohol addiction – who are voluntarily seeking treatment. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office operates a full chemical dependency program at its correctional facility […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Bail trap: Poverty keeps thousands behind bars
Activists have been pushing for bail reform, and Governor Andrew Cuomo supports it. But so far, the state legislature hasn’t acted.
Posted inNews & Opinion
Town hall meeting tonight on criminal justice reform
Even though there has been a steady decrease in crime in New York State, the population of county jails continue to grow and more than half of the people who sit in them have not been convicted of a crime. But they remain incarcerated because they can’t afford bail, according to advocates for criminal justice […]
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[Updated] Legislator wants Monroe County to consider sanctuary status
Rochester City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to reaffirm its sanctuary city status. The measure states that Rochester police officers won’t be responsible for enforcing immigration law. Authorities no less than the Supreme Court have said that task is the responsibility of federal – not local – governments. Democratic County Legislator Mark Muoio is now […]
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NYCLU condemns solitary
The New York Civil Liberties Union and Legal Services of Central New York filed a class-action lawsuit in district court last month against the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office for its alleged use of solitary confinement for 16 and 17 year olds. The NYCLU says that the young people, many of whom are mentally ill, are […]
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County contract chaos grows
Jail deputies aren’t alone; only two of the county’s eight labor unions have active contracts.
Posted inNews & Opinion
Greens try direct approach for campaigns
Green Party candidates have been bypassing traditional media and using other channels, such as social media and webcasts, to try to directly reach voters.
