Lycoming County jail reports rising population and high rates of mental‑health medication use
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Summary
Officials reported a year‑over‑year rise in average daily population to 269.13 and said 56.5% of inmates at the prison were receiving psychotropic medication; one inmate's medication was cited as costing $12,000 per month.
A corrections official reported that the county jail system saw an average daily population of 269.13 in December, with a peak population of 278 and a year‑over‑year increase from 2024 to 2025. Speaker 4 provided the figures, saying the prison averaged 200.06 males and the prerelease center averaged 38.32 males, yielding an overall daily average of 269.13 and a monthly peak of 278.
Speaker 4 also presented a mental‑health snapshot dated Jan. 6, 2026, reporting that 32.88% of inmates had no prior mental‑health history, 26.71% had past history, 35.27% had some current mental‑health issues and 5.14% were experiencing serious mental illness. "At the prison, there were 141 male inmates, 82 are receiving meds or 58.16 percent," Speaker 4 said, and provided systemwide medication rates: "Total percent of inmates at the Prerelease Center receiving medication was 38.3 percent. At the prison it was 56.5 percent within the entire prison system." At a subsequent discussion, Speaker 4 said one medication for an inmate cost "$12,000 a month."
Board members pressed staff about mental‑health programming and staffing levels. Speaker 4 said the facility had two mental‑health positions and was down to one while the second post was being filled. The official said the jail works with Diamond Pharmacy and follows a formulary but that some medications are nevertheless expensive.
The board did not take any formal policy votes on new mental‑health programming at this meeting; members requested further information on available programs and options to manage medication costs.