ALBANY COUNTY — Albany County will receive $549,998 over three years to support a project jointly administered by the county’s departments of mental health and probation.

The program aims to reduce recidivism and enhance support for people released from the county’s jail, according to a press release from Congressman Paul Tonko’s office.

Tonko’s office cites “alarming data” showing people released from prisons and jails are 129 times more likely than the general population to die of a drug overdose during the first two weeks after their release.

It calls Tonko’s Reentry Act lifesaving legislation.

The local program will develop a new “jail re-entry” case-management model for people released from Albany County’s jail, particularly those with severe and pervasive mental illness.

The county’s departments of mental health and probation will work together to help connect released prisoners with community resources and peer support — ultimately aiming to reduce recidivism and address social determinants of health.

“Many incarcerated individuals struggle with addiction and mental health issues, but too few have access to the resources they need to lead healthy and productive lives after their release,” Tonko said in the release.

“With this grant award, we are working to make certain that individuals released from Albany County Jail are equipped with the tools they need to avoid recidivism and tackle the mental health challenges they face,” Tonko said.

“Probation officers will facilitate connections to mental-health resources and services, with referrals focusing on re-entry matters in the probation process,” said William Connors, who directs the county’s probation department, in the release.

“This may include cases of pretrial release and pre-sentence investigations for individuals with serious mental-health needs,” Connors said.

“This initiative will enhance Albany County’s efforts to reduce reliance on emergency services and promote re-entry success,” said Stephen Giordano, commissioner of the county’s mental health department, in the release.

“This is an important step to provide vital support to individuals transitioning back into society after incarceration by helping individuals who are at higher risk to build relationships and re-integrate,” Giordano said.

He added that the project will help promote cross-system collaboration and improve overall public safety response.

“We will strive to reduce stigma, foster understanding, and strengthen the community by encouraging positive change,” concluded Giordano.

Tonko is the author and lead House sponsor of the Reentry Act, bipartisan legislation that empowers states to restore access to healthcare through Medicaid, including addiction and mental health treatment, for incarcerated individuals up to 30 days before their release.

The award comes from the Department of Justice’s Fiscal Year 2024 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, which is administered by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance.