County prison reports show lower population, stable canteen balances, and multiple restraint incidents

Lackawanna County officials presented finance and operations reports that showed a year-over-year decline in jail population, significant canteen and investment balances, and several in-custody restraint incidents for September 2025.

The controller told the board the inmate account balance was $452,270.46 and the canteen checking account balance was $567,317.94 as of Sept. 30, 2025. The controller also reported a Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust balance of $969,003.64 that is earning approximately $3,423 monthly and will mature in January 2026. During September, the canteen account paid $106,327.74 for inmate benefit, welfare and education; an itemized list was attached to the controller's report.

Corrections staff reported house arrest program totals for September 2025: 105 adult participants and 10 juvenile participants. The program reported $46,155.81 in adult house arrest receipts and $1,600 in juvenile receipts, for a combined total of $47,755.81. Program expenses were $71,458.92, completions numbered 24 for the month, violations were nine and outstanding warrants were three. The program budget was at 26%, expenses at 75% and revenue at 63%, according to the staff report.

Warden Warren reported an average daily population of 643 inmates for September 2025, including 596 county inmates; staffing counts and leave status were presented. The Warden said staff totals included 182 full-time officers, with several officers on workers' compensation and FMLA; one officer was on administrative leave and three full-time vacancies were reported. The warden also presented overtime and out-of-county boarding reports.

The Warden described six extraordinary occurrences in September that prompted use of an emergency restraint chair for inmate and staff safety, including incidents of self-harm, threats toward staff and deliberate attempts to damage cell cameras and sprinkler systems. The board was told there was one PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) investigation in September alleging staff-on-inmate misconduct; the investigation was deemed unfounded and the completed file was forwarded to the district attorney's office for review.

During public comment Joan Hodowan of Scranton noted that the jail population fell from about 730 (Sept. 2024) to 643 (Sept. 2025), a roughly 12% decline, while revenue from U.S. Marshals rose about 29%. Hodowan asked whether the county had raised fees for U.S. Marshals detainees. The Warden confirmed fees had increased. Hodowan also asked for clarification on the 80 employees listed as using intermittent FMLA, noting intermittent leave can vary greatly in days used. The Warden said intermittent usage varied by individual and that the lower overtime percentage suggested it was not currently driving overtime costs.

Board members accepted the controller's and corrections reports by voice vote.