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Lycoming County prison reports average daily population of 244 and rising mental‑health caseload
Summary
Prison administrators reported an average daily population of 244.42 for March and presented a mental‑health snapshot showing about 102–104 inmates receiving psychotropic medications and rostered mental‑health case classifications.
Lycoming County prison administrators reported an average daily population of 244.42 for the month of March and presented a mental‑health snapshot showing a sizable portion of the population receiving psychotropic medication.
At the prison, administrators reported an average of 183.94 male inmates and at the pre‑release center (PRC) an average of 32.23 males, for a combined daily average of 216.16 across those sites. The female population averages were 23.10 at the prison and 5.16 at the PRC for a combined average of 28.26. The meeting packet and on‑record remarks showed a total average daily population of 244.42 and a peak population during the month of 253.
On April 8 (the date of the snapshot), staff reported 272 inmates system‑wide: 235 male and 37 female. Mental‑health classifications on that day were: roster A (no mental‑health history) — 108 inmates; roster B (past history, no active symptoms in last year) — 62; roster C (current mental‑health issues) — 88; roster D (serious mental illness) — 14.
Staff also gave counts of inmates receiving psychotropic medications. At the PRC, 11 of 32 males (34.38%) and 3 of 5 females (60.0%) were recorded as receiving medication. At the prison, 89 of 179 male inmates were receiving medications (49.72%) and 9 of 29 female inmates were recorded as receiving medications (approximately 31.03%). As reported in the meeting, combined medication coverage across the system was 45.71 percent.
Administrators told the board they believe some of the increase in prescribing reflects improved access to services in the jail — including an on‑site psychiatrist and additional mental‑health staff — rather than an increase in underlying need.
The disciplinary report for March showed 34 hearings conducted: 32 guilty findings with disciplinary lockup time imposed, two guilty findings with lockup time suspended, and zero not‑guilty findings. The 34 hearings involved 27 inmates; five inmates had more than one incident. Staff also reported 12 informational reports generated by staff during the month.
Officials said there were no overcrowding transfers during March.
