Watertown, NY, Sep 07, 2012 — State Senator Patty Ritchie has an idea to help ease overcrowding and costs at county jails.

As WRVO's Catherine Loper reports, the issue pits New York State against local governments.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Aug 21, 2012 — Three years ago, St. Lawrence County finished work on a state-of-the-art jail that cost taxpayers more than $30 million. It was needed because the old jail on Court Street was outdated and overcrowded.

Today, that new jail is full. And people in the justice system aren't quite sure what to do except wait for the crime rate to go down.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Jun 03, 2011 — The state commission of corrections is citing Jefferson County's jail after an inspection yesterday.

According to the Watertown Daily Times, the jail was cited for inadequate nurse staffing and the improper housing of a medically impaired inmate.

Overcrowding at the jail has drawn the commission's attention.  Go to full article

New York, NY, Feb 28, 2011 — It's been over a year since New York implemented reforms of the Rockefeller Drug Laws.

The new rules divert many drug addicted felons from prison to treatment.

Reporter Charles Lane from public radio station WSHU has been following several of the people going through the new program.

He found that some of them are getting treatment in rigorous residential treatment facilities, and say the programs are harder than doing time in prison.

Editor's Note: Charles Lane has heard news that Joan D'Alessio turned herself in and is doing better. We'll bring you updates in the coming months on her as well as a look at the cost of the Rockefeller reforms.  Go to full article

Apr 03, 2009 — The State Senate approved sweeping changes to the Rockfeller drug laws last night as a part of the state budget. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Mar 29, 2007 — The St. Lawrence County legislature will vote to borrow money and award contracts for construction of a $33 million jail on Monday. A court ruling yesterday approving a union-only labor agreement paves the way for a project years in the making. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Mar 02, 2007 — A labor dispute may delay construction of the new St. Lawrence County jail. A non-union contractor and a county resident are asking the state Supreme Court to stop the county from issuing any construction contracts, pending a review of its "project labor agreement," or PLA. As Jonathan Brown reports, these agreements define how governments award their lucrative building contracts.  Go to full article

Nov 08, 2006 — Democrats scored major upsets in the St. Lawrence County legislature. Three long-standing Republican lawmakers lost their seats. Democrats will have a majority for the first time in 13 years. David Sommerstein reports from the Best Western University Inn in Canton, where both parties gathered last night.  Go to full article

Sep 30, 2005 — A prisoner attacked and injured two corrections officers at a maximum security prison near Glens Falls Monday morning. As David Sommerstein reports, the incident has prompted the officers' union to call for a policy change regarding inmates with disciplinary violations.  Go to full article

Aug 08, 2005 — St. Lawrence County's business leaders want to find middle ground on a plan to pay for a new county jail with a sales tax hike.  Go to full article