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Prison board renews short-term investment, reviews canteen balances and program reports
Summary
The Lackawanna County Prison Board voted to renew a 180-day PLGIT investment, reviewed inmate and canteen account balances and heard a Community Corrections report showing May program revenues of $44,155.52 and May expenses of $72,834.82; a public commenter praised education programs and asked whether canteen funds could pay for dyslexia testing.
The Lackawanna County Prison Board on June 17, 2026 voted to renew a 180-day Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT) account and reviewed controller and program reports for May.
The Controller told the board that reconciliations for April 2026 showed no discrepancies. As of May the inmate checking account balance was $459,004.96 and the canteen checking account balance was $450,643.86. The Controller reported two 180-day PLGIT investments totaling $989,950.29: $876,754.40 invested at 3.69% maturing July 10, 2026, and $112,794.27 invested at 3.71% maturing August 3, 2026. The Controller said these two investments earn approximately $2,973 per month and recommended renewal of the fund that matures July 10; the board voted to renew that investment.
The Controller also said the canteen account paid roughly $92,770.53 in May for inmate benefit, welfare and education and that an itemized list appears on page three of the controller's report. A board member thanked Commissioner Welby for compiling state-approved canteen lists and prior county policies and asked staff to produce a more extensive approved-item list so the board can clarify what can and cannot be purchased from canteen funds.
Community Corrections staff reported May program totals of 72 adult house arrest participants and 34 juvenile house arrest participants, with revenues of $37,835.52 (adult) and $6,320 (juvenile) for total revenues of $44,155.52 and program expenses of $72,834.82; staff also reported 29 program completions, one program violation/return and one outstanding warrant.
Public commenter Joan Hodle of Scranton praised the revived GED program and a County Commissioners contract with Johnson College for certificate programs that could help with re-entry. Hodle asked whether canteen funds could be used for dyslexia testing to support educational access; board members and staff said they would review allowable uses and noted education-oriented purchases are an expected use of canteen funds when permitted.
Actions taken: the board approved the Controller's report, the Community Corrections report and moved to renew the PLGIT investment by voice vote. The board requested a more comprehensive canteen policy list for discussion at a future meeting.
