Group wants to halve western New York prisoner population
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A faith-based coalition is launching a campaign to cut in half the number of prisoners in Buffalo-area jails.
VOICE-Buffalo plans to rally in Buffalo on Tuesday. Members say the rate of incarceration is too high throughout the United States, especially among African-Americans.
The group is advocating for better training for police officers and judges. It also wants to divert mentally ill and addicted individuals away from prison and into treatment.
VOICE-Buffalo says the goal is to reduce the prisoner population at the Erie County Holding Center and county jail by 50 percent.