SHERIFF: Voutour supports inmate work measure

Local News

October 31, 2009

Staff Reports The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Sat Oct 31, 2009, 01:13 AM EDT

Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour supports a ballot question up for statewide vote Tuesday that would permit inmates to work for nonprofit agencies.

“These agencies need all the help they can get,” Voutour said. “It saves millions in taxpayers’ money for the inmates not to be incarcerated.”

State prison and county jail inmates already work on municipal jobs; they had also done volunteer work until several years ago, when the state Commission of Corrections issued an advisory opinion against it. The fear was that the practice might be a violation of the state constitution, which has a provision against contracting or selling inmate labor.

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the state Legislature to pass bills to let state and local inmates work for nonprofit groups operated for religious, charitable or educational purposes.

Voutour said those working would be nonviolent offenders, never be inmates such as rapists or robbers working for the agencies.

The sheriff said it’s important for the community to get useful work from inmates, and that conditions are monitored to assure safety. “There is constant surveillance on the inmates,” Voutour said. “And they are all nonviolent offenders.”

Voutour said the proposed amendment, one of two before voters statewide on Election Day, is supported by all New York State sheriffs.

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