OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Sheriff Jim Quattrone is pictured at the Mayville Village Board meeting where he gave an update on the re-entry hub.

MAYVILLE – Six months ago, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office began operating the a -entry hub across the street from the county jail.

It appears to be a success.

In December, 2023, Sheriff Jim Quattrone told members of the Mayville Village Board that he was looking to create a re-entry hub for newly released inmates. Part of the goal was to have a location where released individuals could go and make a phone call, get their cell phones charged, and have a place where they could wait until a bus was available to take them back to their home community.

Village residents have complained over the years that newly released inmates will wander into local businesses, seeking financial assistance or use of a phone. By law, the Sheriff’s Office has no authority over newly released individuals and are unable to force them to leave the village.

After some conversations with local leaders, the Sheriff’s Office agreed to rent the former Mayville village code office.

The re-entry hub officially opened on April 1. It is now open Mondays and Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Wednesday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Quattrone said the decision was made to stay open later on Mondays and Tuesdays because people arrested over a weekend are more likely to be released earlier in the week than later.

There are two full-time employees who work at the re-entry hub and one part-time person. Quattrone said they are seeking grant funds to increase the hours of the part-time person to full time.

“It’s not just a re-entry hub, but it’s called Chautauqua CARES and it’s to help those who are in the jail and are re-entering society,” Quattrone said.

Chautauqua CARES stands for Comprehensive Addiction Response and Evaluation System.

Quattrone said there’s a number of services being offered through the CARES program. He said they’ve partnered with nine different agencies. “The goal of the hub is to allow for those being released from the jail to stop over and connect with services right away,” he said.

They’ve helped released inmates get health insurance, find out about GED employment services, food, housing, mental health services, and treatment for substance abuse.

After visiting the hub, Quattrone said the staff there stay in touch for another three months.

“We’re trying to help them develop a habit of doing the right things,” he said .

In the six months the hub has been functioning, Quattrone said they’ve connected with more than 130 released individuals.

“I expect that to increase in numbers,” he said.

Mayor Rick Syper said he has heard positive responses from members in the business community.

Village Clerk John Crandall said his office is nearby and they have had “absolutely no problems.”

Quattrone invited local residents who have questions to stop by the office, as it is open to the general public.