The City of Chicopee and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department today announced a joint agreement to create a pre-arraignment regional lock-up on weekends and holidays for individuals arrested by the Chicopee Police.

The agreement will allow the Chicopee Police to transfer prisoners who cannot post bail or commit non-bailable offenses into Sheriff Department custody on weekends and holidays which see a higher rate of arrests than weekdays.

“The creation of a regional lock-up will allow us to transfer prisoners, who are taken into custody over the weekend and will remain in custody until the next business day, into Sheriff’s Department custody which is better equipped to provide necessary services such as medical care for extended lock-up prisoners,” said Police Chief William Jebb. “This allows us to reassign officers elsewhere and frees up vital resources to be used in other areas.”

“The creation of a regional lock-up provides a great service to the City of Chicopee,” said Mayor Richard Kos. “When we welcomed the Women’s correctional facility to Chicopee over 15 years ago, the regional lock up was next on the agenda. I’m pleased with our ability to begin this effort. I want to thank the Sheriff as this program will allow us to better allocate our resources and put more police on the street.”

“We are proud to expand this regional lock-up initiative to yet another host community. It is a win-win for the community’s taxpayers as well as the detainees, allowing each partner to provide their special expertise,” said Sheriff Ashe. “We specialize in care and custody and the Chicopee police in patrol duties and keeping the community safe. This is a great example of the law enforcement community coming together to enhance public safety. I thank Mayor Kos for this leadership in this initiative.”

The Chicopee Police will begin utilizing the regional lockup beginning August 19, 2016.