Staten Island to get its ‘first-ever’ community justice center from $15 million state investment

The funding will support the transformation of the borough’s former criminal courthouse at 67 Targee St. in Stapleton into a hub for “community-based justice, youth programming and supportive services,” according to the governor’s office.

“Public safety is my top priority. Keeping communities safe means ensuring that every corner of New York has the resources necessary to drive down crime,” Hochul said. “With this investment, Staten Island will finally have a permanent community justice center that brings critical services and support together in one place to make communities across Staten Island safer.”

Officials said Staten Island has been the only borough without a community justice center, leaving its roughly one-half million residents without this type of neighborhood-based service that other New Yorkers have access to.

The facility will bring together government agencies and nonprofits to expand services already being provided to borough residents by the Center for Justice Innovationa nonprofit that helps people who have been involved in the criminal justice system. The Center for Justice Innovation currently offers diversion and alternatives-to-incarceration programs, counseling, youth mentoring, workforce development, reentry, and other support services.

The new center will provide “trauma-informed, culturally responsive screening, assessment, case management, and referrals for mental health, substance use, housing and employment,” officials said.

State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton credited Hochul, Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon and Council Member Kamillah Hanks for helping to advance the project.

“Keeping our communities safe is a multi-faceted challenge that should include programming that addresses the root causes of public safety issues,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to work with our partners in public safety to advance this project and bring it to fruition.”

Officials said the center will also provide a permanent location for youth diversion, mentorship, violence prevention and victims services.

“For far too long, Staten Island was the only borough without a Community Justice Center underway. Today, that inequity is finally being addressed, McMahon said.

McMahon and Scarcella-Spanton thanked Hanks for securing an initial $5 million for the project from the City Council

“Building upon the city’s earlier $5 million investment and the important diversion and prevention work already taking place across our borough, this funding brings us significantly closer to turning a long-held vision into reality,” McMahon said. “I commend Governor Hochul for recognizing Staten Island’s needs and for continuing to invest in smart, effective strategies that strengthen justice and public safety.”