A long standing policy in Erie County, concerning prisoners seeking assistance after serving their time, is being amended. 

Friday, the Erie County legislature voted unanimously to pass a new policy to expedite social services upon an inmates release. 

The amendment would allow the Erie County Social Services Department to accept applications for services up to 45 days prior to a prisoner's release date. 

Erie County Majority leader, April Baskin, is a sponsor of the new resolution. 

"These transitional services range from housing stipends, to food stamps, to get food, and we just want to be proactive and make sure upon being released these individuals and citizens have access, housing, and other needs [fulfilled]," Baskin said.

Baskin is a sponsor of the new resolution and says the change will help save tax payer dollars, and curb chances for a criminal to re-offend. 

Both the New York State Assembly and Senate are also currently considering legislation to amend the Social Services Law.

New Policy directs social services to accept applications from prisoners prior to release date
A long standing police in Erie County concerning prisoners seeking assistance after serving their time is being amended. 
Friday the Erie County legislature voted unanimously to pass a new policy to expedite social services upon an inmates release. 
The amendment would allow the Erie County Social Services Department to accept applications for services up to 45 days prior to a prisoner's release date. 
Erie County Majority leader, April Baskin is a sponsor of the new resolution
"When they [prisoners]  are being released from being detained from either the corrections facility or the holding center, they have to by federal and state law wait 45 days to receive transitional services," Baskin said of the old resolution. "These transitional services range from housing stipends to food stamps to get food and we just want to be proactive and making sure that day one upon being released these individuals and citizens have access to be able to have housing and their other needs."
 
Erie County Majority leader, April Baskin is a sponsor of the new resolution and says the change will help save taxpayer dollars and curb chances for a criminal to re-offend. 


Both the New York State Assembly and Senate are also currently considering legislation to amend the Social Services Law.
 
New Policy directs social services to accept applications from prisoners prior to release date
A long standing police in Erie County concerning prisoners seeking assistance after serving their time is being amended. 
Friday the Erie County legislature voted unanimously to pass a new policy to expedite social services upon an inmates release. 
The amendment would allow the Erie County Social Services Department to accept applications for services up to 45 days prior to a prisoner's release date. 
Erie County Majority leader, April Baskin is a sponsor of the new resolution
"When they [prisoners]  are being released from being detained from either the corrections facility or the holding center, they have to by federal and state law wait 45 days to receive transitional services," Baskin said of the old resolution. "These transitional services range from housing stipends to food stamps to get food and we just want to be proactive and making sure that day one upon being released these individuals and citizens have access to be able to have housing and their other needs."
 
Erie County Majority leader, April Baskin is a sponsor of the new resolution and says the change will help save taxpayer dollars and curb chances for a criminal to re-offend. 


Both the New York State Assembly and Senate are also currently considering legislation to amend the Social Services Law.