The Community Reintegration Division responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of all programming for incarcerated individuals at the Erie County Holding Center and Erie County Correctional Division. The division operates under the principle that local correctional facilities serve as a critical intervention point and an opportunity to address the underlying barriers to success for incarcerated individuals after they are released from custody. Through a robust network of in-house services and community partnerships, the Community Reintegration Division works to reduce recidivism and strengthen public safety. Programs include:
- Domestic Violence Program
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The Erie County Sheriff’s Office provides victims of domestic violence access to services and courts through early intervention to provide safety and support. A trained DV advocate provides in-custody educational groups and support to female victims of domestic violence to aid in understanding the criminal justice, social services, and Family court systems.
- High School Program
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In direct partnership with Buffalo Public Schools, this unique program was recognized by the New York State Sheriff’s Association as the “Innovative Program of the Year”. The program gives high school age students the opportunity to receive core high school subject instruction, special education services, guidance counseling, Title I math and reading services, as well as summer programming while incarcerated. As soon as students enter the program, they begin to plan for post-release. Title I Transition Counselors meet one-on-one with each student to establish an educational plan which encompasses in jail programming as well as a post release plan.
- High School Equivalency Program
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Similar to the high school program, high school age students who have either dropped out or intend to drop out post release are provided with HSE exam preparation services.
- Pawsitive for Heroes
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Pawsitive for Heroes is a service dog training program operated in partnership with WNY Heroes, Inc. at the Erie County Correctional Facility. Incarcerated participants are selected to serve as primary handlers and trainers for dogs that will ultimately be paired with veterans who are medically referred through the VA or their healthcare provider. Dogs reside in the facility with their handlers for approximately ten months, during which the bulk of their training takes place. Upon completion of the in-facility training phase, dogs are permanently paired with their veteran handlers. The program provides meaningful, structured programming for incarcerated participants while delivering life-changing service animals to those who have served our country.
- Project Blue
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Project Blue is an innovative partnership between the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Peaceprints of WNY that provides comprehensive reentry services to individuals released from the Erie County Correctional Facility and Erie County Holding Center. The program aims to reduce recidivism and local crime rates while disrupting the jail-to-prison pipeline. Participation is voluntary. Once enrolled, participants receive weekly case management services and workshops covering workforce development, fatherhood, peace and healing circles, and literacy training. Intensive case management begins at release, with follow-along services continuing for 12 months. Project Blue was the recipient of the New York State Sheriffs Association Innovative Program of the Year award in both 2020 and 2022.
- Medication Assisted Treatment Program
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The Erie County Sheriff’s Office offers Medication Assisted Treatment services to incarcerated individuals diagnosed with an opioid use disorder (OUD). All individuals are screened for OUD upon admission to the Holding Center and, if determined eligible, are offered enrollment in the MAT Program. Treatment includes all FDA-approved OUD medications, in-house discharge planning and counseling services, and peer support services provided by WNY Independent Living. This comprehensive program engages enrolled participants seven days per week and connects them to post-release treatment and counseling services in the community.
- Nurturing Fathers
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Nurturing Fathers is a fatherhood engagement program facilitated by the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network (BPPN) in partnership with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. The program utilizes the InsideOut Dad curriculum, an evidence-based model consisting of 12 structured sessions delivered over six weeks. Session topics include self-awareness, relationships, parenting, child development, discipline, and strategies for maintaining positive father involvement during and after incarceration. The program recognizes that children of incarcerated parents face significant emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges, and that sustained paternal engagement is a meaningful protective factor. By equipping incarcerated fathers with parenting skills and tools for healthy family relationships, Nurturing Fathers supports both family stability and successful reentry.
- Narcotics Anonymous
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The JMD invites institutional representatives from Narcotics Anonymous to provide the message of recovery to inmates struggling with drug addiction. During these meetings, inmates openly discuss their addictions, participate in book study and topic discussions, and listen to presentation speakers. Inmates are also introduced to the Twelve Steps of NA with the goal of helping them find a new way to live life without drugs.
- Alcoholics Anonymous
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The JMD offers AA meetings for incarcerated individuals seeking support and information in their desire to stop drinking and recover from alcoholism. Meetings are comprised of “men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism”. Individuals are introduced to the Twelve Steps of AA which provides the framework for self-examination and self-directed recovery.
- THRIVE Program
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Training in Hospitality for Returning Individuals are Valued Employees (THRIVE) is a workforce development program developed in partnership with Peaceprints of WNY. The program provides incarcerated individuals at the Erie County Correctional Facility with culinary and hospitality training, resume development, interview preparation, and professional certifications. Participants also meet with recruiters from regional employment partners including Delaware North, Catholic Health, and many local restauranteurs. Upon release, program graduates receive assistance with interview placement, industry-grade apparel, and transportation support. This program directly addresses employment barriers that contribute to recidivism by equipping participants with marketable skills and concrete job opportunities before they leave the facility.
- Horticultural Program
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Our extensive Horticultural Program teaches incarcerated individuals how to cultivate flowers from seedlings, eventually transplanting the flowers to County parks and landscapes. Over the years, these flowers have helped beautify our municipality’s welcome area, brighten the view at senior centers and community centers, and add color to our community. In addition, participants also manage a vegetable garden within the Erie County Correctional Facility. The variety of produce supplements inmate’s diets with freshly harvested produce for use in the facility’s meals. Additionally, the program can donate fresh produce to community kitchens such as Friends of the Night People.
- Holiday Wreath Program
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Annually, following the last garden harvest, male incarcerated individuals prepare the greenhouses to make Holiday wreaths. The program participants use pinecones and pine boughs collected from the facility’s grounds and using boughs donated from area nurseries, they assemble holiday wreaths. Our wreaths can be seen adorning the doors and community rooms of senior centers, community-based organizations and homes of those who may not have the means to purchase a holiday decoration.
- County Composting Program
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In collaboration with the Erie County’s Environment and Planning Department, incarcerated individuals participate in a recycling program designed to reduce internal waste from the Correctional Facility as well as other county buildings and use the compost to enhance the Horticultural Program gardens and other county owned flower beds. This unique recycling program will help reduce the County’s waste and save taxpayers’ dollars by reducing disposal costs.