IGNITE Program Comes to Chautauqua County: A New Approach to Inmate Rehabilitation

Sheriff Garry McFadden of Mecklenburg County said they have had great success in North Carolina with IGNITE.
P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

A national program aimed at helping to rehabilitate inmates is coming to New York, with Chautauqua County the first community to participate.

On Tuesday, Sheriff James Quattrone announced that the county jail was going to be participating in the program IGNITE — Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through education.

With Chautauqua County joining IGNITE, there are now 10 states across the nation that use this program.

“IGNITE is a comprehensive, rehabilitation program designed to provide inmates with education, vocational training, and life skills that will help them reintegrate back into society upon release,” Quattrone said. “The program really embodies our commitment, as well as the National Sheriff’s Association, that we’re not only enforcing the law, but also giving individuals the tools that they need to transform their lives and contribute positively to our community.”

He noted that the primary goal of IGNITE is to reduce recidivism rates by equipping inmates with skills and knowledge needed to break the cycle of incarceration. “We aim to empower participants to become self-sufficient, responsible and law-abiding citizens, upon reentry of society,” he said. “By focusing on the education and skill-building, we believe that the participants will have a greater chance of securing employment and leading productive lives.”

Dorian Johnson, the detention program director in Mecklenburg County, said the IGNITE program in North Carolina has helped reduce fighting in their detention center.
P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

The county jail will offer basic literacy, numeracy courses, GED preparation, and vocational training. “This will enable them to acquire valuable skills for future employment,” Quattrone said.

Life skill workshops will also be offered, focusing on communication, financial management, anger management and conflict resolution. “These skills proven to be successful for re-integration of society,” Quattrone said.

Joining Quattrone in announcing the program was Sheriff Garry McFadden of Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, Sheriff Christopher Hilton from Sandusky County in Ohio, and Major Jason Gould from Genesee County in Michigan. All of these counties use the IGNITE program. Also in attendance were Allen Riley with the state Commission of Corrections and Claire McNally with the National Sheriff’s Association.

Each leader discussed why they believe in the program and shared success stories.

McFadden noted that in Mecklenburg County, “We don’t say jail, we say detention centers. And we don’t say inmates, we say residents. We believe that in the beginning if you can change the labels you can probably change the product at some point.”

Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone said he believes IGNITE (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education) will help lower recidivism.
P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

McFadden shared that in his facility he has a culinary school, a barber school and other training programs. They’ve even held job fairs so companies can come in and interview and hire residents for when they get released.

He said he has been questioned about his program, but he defends it saying, “Then you tell me, how would you like me to prepare your neighbor, because these young men and women will leave one day and they will become your neighbor.”

Dorian Johnson, the detention program director in Mecklenburg County, noted that 95% of inmates will be released at some point. “If you let them out the same way they came in, at best, they’ll repeat the same behavior,” he said.

Over the last 20 years, they have not had a single assault on an officer during their programs. They’ve also had less than 10 fights among residents during the program pods. “It creates a safe environment and the uniform staff realize it,” Johnson said.

Hilton from Ohio said the secret is not just offering the programs, but giving rewards and incentives. For example, he offers a financial literacy class that is open to all inmates. Inmates can choose to participate or they can sit in their cell.

“If I’m an inmate, I can go out there and learn about something or I can be locked down in my cell for 45 minutes or an hour,” he said.

They reward inmates with compliments, snacks or extra recreational time outdoors. “It sounds really simple, but you’re changing a mindset. … You’re giving them value. And once they have a little self worth, all the classes and those things you want to give them become much easier,” he said.

At the end of the press conference, Quattrone said the program won’t cost any new funds. They are relying on partnerships with SUNY Jamestown Community College and Erie 2 BOCES.

County Executive PJ Wendel said he was proud of the fact that Chautauqua County is the first county in the state to use IGNITE.

“I can’t be any more excited about this,” he said. “And theoretically if this program is successful, the cost will start to diminish in our jail, as compared to the cost going up and that is exciting — not so much the reduction in cost but in how we’re going to change the mindset of our inmates in our county.”

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