BUFFALO, N.Y. – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports Project Blue, the award-winning program aiming to reduce recidivism among those in Erie County Sheriff’s Office custody, experienced record participation in 2024. More Incarcerated Individuals enrolled in Project Blue programming in 2024 (725) than the previous year (699 in 2023). Since Sheriff Garcia took office, Incarcerated Individual participation in Project Blue has increased nearly 300%.
Project Blue is a collaborative effort of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Peaceprints of WNY. It is an elective program, in which participants receive case management and workshops on workforce development and more. It received the New York State Sheriffs’ Association’s ‘Innovative Program’ Award in 2019.
Since Project Blue’s inception, the recidivism rate among the entire incarcerated population in Erie County has dropped from 84% to 77%. Data shows the recidivism rate of Project Blue’s participants (7% in 2024) is well below that of the entire incarcerated population.
“This encouraging data shows us that our incarcerated population recognizes Project Blue’s success,” said Sheriff Garcia. “We are thrilled to see more and more of them electing to participate. It is translating to lower recidivism rates. Not only is that a good thing for the incarcerated individual. It is a good thing for the taxpayers of Erie County. Our investment in this program and our Community Reintegration Division is truly paying off.”
"I couldn't be prouder of this collaboration,” said Cindi McEachon, Peaceprints of WNY CEO. “These numbers are symbolic of the hard work and dedication of both Peaceprints of WNY and the Erie County Sheriff's Office; with humility, commitment and authentic collaboration, the overwhelming success of the Project Blue program continues to remind us of what is possible."
Incarcerated Individual Enrollment in Project Blue by Year
2019 63
2020 135
2021 186
2022 548
2023 699
2024 725