Griffo announces Oneida Nation inmate bill signed into law

ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Senator Joe Griffo announced on Wednesday, September 4 that a bill that would support law enforcement efforts across the Mohawk Valley has been signed by Governor Kathy Hochul.

The bill allows Madison and Oneida Counties to enter into agreements with the Oneida Indian Nation to house inmates in their jails. Under the bill, which was created thanks to an agreement between the three entities and New York State, criminal defendants could be remanded to county jails under Oneida Nation court directives.

“I thank Sen. Griffo for his strong support of this important public safety bill,” Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol said in a statement. “The strong partnership between the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the Oneida Indian Nation Police is a key part of keeping our county and our people safe. From our deputization agreement in 2013 to this recently signed county-tribal detention agreement and everything we’ve done together in between, we are a successful model of how local and tribal law enforcement agencies partnering with elected officials at the county and state levels can accomplish great things.”

The bill was created in conjunction with a 2013 agreement between the Oneida Nation, New York State, Madison and Oneida Counties. The agreement resolved all legal disputes between the four entities. In the 11 years since the agreement was ratified, it has generated more than $700 million in Silver Covenant payments. Those payments support public safety initiatives in local municipalities.

The agreement also allowed the deputization of Oneida Indian Nation Police officers by both Madison and Oneida County Sheriffs. That allowed all three police departments to increase the number of on-duty officers and expand coordination between them.

“The collaboration between the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department, Oneida Sheriff’s Office and Madison County Sheriff’s Office has made our communities safer and become a national model for tribal and local public safety coordination,” Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter said in a statement. “This legislation will help deepen our partnership and improve our efforts to make our region a safe place to live, visit and work. We are grateful to Sen. Griffo and Assembly Member Hunter for their efforts to pass this legislation into law.”

“This legislation marks a significant milestone in our ongoing partnership with the Oneida Indian Nation,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said in a statement. “By allowing Oneida and Madison counties to enter into county-tribal detention agreements, we are strengthening our collaborative efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all our residents. This agreement not only reinforces our commitment to public safety, but also demonstrates the power of cooperation between regional governments and law enforcement agencies. I thank Sen. Griffo and Assemblywoman Hunter for their efforts to usher this bill into law. Together, we are building safer, more resilient communities for everyone.”

Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter of Syracuse sponsored the bill in the assembly.

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