The Erie County Sheriff's Office has announced receipt of a $1 million grant from the Second Chance Act. It will be used by the sheriff's Jail Management Division and Erie County's Department of Mental Health.
The funds will be used for reentry services and programs for inmates classified as substance addicts, along with diagnosed mental health disorders.
The Sheriff's Office and Department of Mental Health will work with BestSelf and the University at Buffalo to help cut inmate recidivism rates.
It is estimated that 68% of adults in U.S. jails experience chemical dependencies or are diagnosed with substance abuse disorders. Nearly two-thirds of those inmates also had a co-occurring mental disorder, and they rarely receive post-release treatment.
