REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS CALL FOR STATE TO REIMBURSE COUNTY FOR ADDED COSTS INCURRED DURING CORRECTIONS WORKERS STRIKE

Erie County, NY – The Erie County Legislature unanimously passed a resolution submitted by Republican lawmakers requesting New York State reimburse the county for housing parole violators during the state corrections officer’s strike.  These were individuals who would have typically been transferred to state custody. In the summer of 2025 Erie County’s jail population grew to nearly 900 individuals.  The Erie County Holding Center and Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden typically house between 750 and 800.

“The sheriff had to open additional units.  That required more staffing and the cost of housing these additional individuals came with a hefty price tag,” said Minority Leader and Erie County Legislator John Mills.

“There were mandated overtime shifts that negatively impacted the Erie County Sheriff’s budget,” said Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro.  “Erie County was just one of many across the state forced to take in the additional people. It put tremendous strain on many counties.”

“The Erie County Sheriff’s Office was asked to step up and they did.  But we should not be expected to cover what is essentially a state expense,” said Erie County Legislator Chris Greene.

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office did receive some state reimbursement; however, it was not enough to cover the full cost of housing these individuals.

“While I realize New York State reimbursed the Erie County Sheriff’s Office $2.2 million, the fact remains many individuals meant to be in the state system were instead in Erie County’s custody.  This went on for nearly a year.  New York State needs to make the Sheriff’s Office whole,” said Erie County Legislator Lindsay Lorigo.

Erie County Sheriff John Garcia submitted a letter to the Legislature in August noting that for much of 2025 they were unable to transfer state-ready incarcerated individuals into the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).  To date, DOCCS is refusing to reimburse Erie County and the Sheriff’s Office for the full cost incurred during this crisis.