BUFFALO, NY: Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia announced today that United States District Judge William Skretny granted a joint motion to terminate the Department of Justice Stipulated Order of Dismissal, entered on August 26, 2011. “I want to thank the men and woman of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for all their hard work culminating in the termination of the Stipulated Order of Dismissal,” added Sheriff Garcia. “This was no small undertaking, and I am extremely proud of their efforts.”
On November 13, 2007, the Department of Justice opened an investigation of the Erie County Holding Center and Erie County Correctional Facility pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA). Thereafter, the parties entered into two settlement agreements approved by the United States District Court, Western District of New York. On June 22, 2010, the Court approved the first settlement, the Stipulated Settlement Agreement and Order Concerning Suicide Prevention and Related Mental Health Issues. The Court subsequently approved the parties’ Stipulated Order of Dismissal (SOD), which incorporated the Stipulated Suicide Prevention Settlement.
The SOD required that Erie County maintain sustained substantial compliance with each provision for a period of three consecutive six (6) month monitoring periods. Two technical Compliance Consultants have found that Erie County has achieved sustained substantial compliance with the Medical and Mental Health provisions of the SOD as well as the Protection from Harm and Environmental Health and Safety provisions. Since the issuance of the SOD, a top-to-bottom review of policies, procedures, and practices has been conducted, resulting in the institution of changes to ensure sustained compliance with all provisions.
The termination of this case adds to the growing list of accomplishments under the Garcia administration. Last week he announced the reaccreditation of the Sheriff’s Police Services Division. The Jail Management and Civil Divisions have also received reaccreditation under Sheriff Garcia.
###