POUGHKEEPSIE – The newly-constructed Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center, also known as the new Dutchess County Jail, received its new occupants and staff in a quiet move just days ago. The move was not publicized for obvious security reasons and was originally estimated to take place in August 2023.
The replacement of the often overcrowded and aging previous facility had been debated for nearly two decades by county lawmakers before the $134 million project broke ground. The project was originally funded in 2016 after the opponent of the new facility, then-Dutchess County Executive Bill Steinhaus, retired and was succeeded by Marcus Molinaro, now a member of Congress.
The modern new facility is slated to serve as the cornerstone of Dutchess County’s restorative justice efforts, addressing the root causes of criminal activity to rehabilitate offenders for successful transition back to the community and prevention of future recidivism.
The design incorporates substantially more natural light than the current facility and is fully climate-controlled, creating a better environment for both incarcerated individuals and the correctional officers charged with their care, according to Sheriff Kirk Imperati. The facility has 328 beds spread over six housing units, each with its own recreational area, including one female unit and units specifically designed for the Re-Entry Stabilization and Reintegration Track program, known as RESTART.
