In 2006, Seneca County took a step into the 21st Century with the creation of the Law Enforcement Center. The center was designed to replace the “bars and turn key” style facility which was built in 1912 and housed 80 inmates. The previous facility wasn’t cost effective to the community mainly because it was undersized and inflexible in terms of classification and programmatic space, resulting in a large percentage of the inmates (including all female inmates) having to be housed out to different counties at a cost of nearly $120 a day per inmate. The LEC now has a state-of-the-art correctional facility capable housing 120 inmates in a classification Pod system which meets New York State Standards for Correctional Facilities.

With the creation of the new correctional facility came several 21st century advancements, including a 24 hour digital monitoring and recording system controlled from a master hub secure within the facility and a fully electronic inmate data and fingerprint capturing system.

The Sheriff of Seneca County has set the following goals for the Seneca County Correctional Facility for 2009 - 2010:

1. Becoming an accredited correctional facility by writing policies and procedures which comply with New York State Accreditation Standards.
2. Becoming a recognized training facility and hosting training such as the Basic Course for Corrections Officers here at the Law Enforcement Center.
3. Creating revenue for Seneca County and its community by providing corrections staff with all required training necessary to meet with federal standards for the housing of federal inmates within the correctional facility
4. Providing further educational and rehabilitative programs for the inmates at the correctional facility.

In-boarding Inmates

In February, 2009, after considerable efforts on the part of Sheriff Stenberg’s administration, the Seneca County Correctional Facility began in-boarding inmates from other Counties. Tompkins County has begun housing some of their inmates at the Seneca County Correctional Facility when their facility becomes overcrowded.

In April, 2009, Sheriff Stenberg entered into a contract to provide housing for Federal Detainees in the custody of the United States Marshals Service. The contract with the United States Marshals calls for Seneca County to house Federal Detainees from the Rochester and Syracuse U.S. Marshal’s Districts. The agreement calls for the United States Marshals to pay Seneca County $90.00 per day for each detainee held at the Seneca County Correctional Facility. Furthermore, any and all costs related to the medical well-being of Federal Detainees are borne exclusively by the United States Marshals. Seneca County is reimbursed for travel and expense related costs for the transportation of Federal Detainees to and from Federal Courts in Rochester and Syracuse.

It is projected that the revenue to Seneca County in 2009 from both of these in-boarding agreements will be $400,000.

Cost Savings Programs

When Sheriff Stenberg took office in January 2008, the daily cost to feed an inmate was in excess of $7.00 per day. By streamlining the delivery of food services through the use of a standardized twelve (12) day rotational menu and more efficient food and sundry ordering, these costs have been dramatically reduced. Today, the cost of feeding an inmate is approximately $4.00 per day. Sheriff Stenberg’s administration is exploring even more ways to drive these costs down even farther. This program has saved in excess of $35,000.00 in food costs during the year.

Corrections Training Unit

The Corrections Training Unit oversees all training within the Correctional Facility and coordinates on-going training for the correctional staff, which includes over 53 Sworn Members and Civilian Employees.

Instructors at the Correctional Facility are certified by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

The facility training unit has hosted both in-service and regional Basic Training Academies.

Correction Officers and Supervisors receive annual training in areas such as Firearms, Penal Law (physical and deadly physical force), OC spray, First Aid/CPR/AED, Hazardous Material Communications, Life Safety, and Defensive Tactics.