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Warden reports steady population, staffing gaps and two security incidents; board requests mental-health caseload breakdown
Summary
The warden reported an average daily population of 642 in October, staffing shortfalls and two security incidents; two PREA investigations were completed and deemed unfounded. The board requested a daily-average mental-health breakdown and a site visit to reconcile services.
The jail warden (Speaker 3) presented the monthly operations report and answered board questions on Nov. 4.
The warden reported a daily population of 642 for October, including 497 county commitments. He gave average counts of 573 adult males, 2 juvenile males and 67 adult females; he said the average daily population of U.S. Marshal detainees was 145 and Susquehanna County detainees averaged 11.
On staffing, the warden reported 171 full-time officers on shift, 6 on workers' compensation, 1 on continuous FMLA, 76 on intermittent FMLA and 4 full‑time vacancies, which he summarized as a total of 182 full‑time officers in the staffing table. He said the overtime line item was at 52.5% as of the Nov. 4 pay period.
The warden detailed two "extraordinary occurrences" in October: on Oct. 23 a newly committed detainee from Susquehanna County expressed intent to harm others and was placed in an emergency restraint chair; on Oct. 27 a person on suicide prevention watch covered his camera, refused orders and required a cell extraction during which staff used a pepper-ball launcher before removing him and moving him to a camera cell.
The warden also said two PREA investigations were completed in October — one alleging inmate‑on‑inmate misconduct and one alleging staff‑on‑inmate misconduct — and both were deemed unfounded; the completed investigations were forwarded to the district attorney's office for potential further action.
Moderator (Speaker 1) questioned the meaning of the reported mental‑health caseload figure, expressing concern that the monthly count (reported in discussion as roughly 884) may reflect every individual seen during the month rather than an active caseload. The warden said the count represents individuals seen across the month and noted the facility's rapid turnover; he agreed to request and provide an average daily figure and to coordinate a site visit and a meeting with contract representatives so the board could reconcile services and costs.
Moderator (Speaker 1) moved to accept the warden's report; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
