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Bedford County warden reports training approval, PREA audit progress and plan to add body-worn cameras
Summary
At its July 24 meeting the Bedford County Prison Board heard Warden Joe Eichenlaub report that the facility's training academy received renewed approval through December 2027, a PREA audit conducted July 16—18 drew positive initial comments, and the jail plans to roll out body-worn cameras within 90 days.
Warden Joe Eichenlaub told the Bedford County Prison Board on July 24 that the facility recently received several operational updates, including renewed approval of its basic training curriculum and steps toward implementing body-worn cameras.
Eichenlaub said the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections renewed approval of the jail's basic training curriculum and approved the local academy for the current audit cycle, which runs through December 2027. He noted Deputy Warden Matthew Hale led development and organization of training materials and praised Hale's work on staff development. The warden also said Deputy Warden Conklin completed a local Leadership Bedford County program in June.
The warden told the board the facility will implement body-worn cameras "within the facility" in the next 90 days and that staff are working on training and policy development for camera use. He described body-worn cameras as an increasingly common tool in corrections and said Bedford County is adopting the technology.
Eichenlaub reported population figures for the most recent quarter: 20 female inmates, representing 16.81% of the facility population (down about 3 percentage points from the previous quarter), and 19 inmates (15.9%) committed from Fulton County (down about 5 percentage points). No additional population projections or dates for the camera rollout were specified beyond the 90-day timeframe.
On inspections, the warden said a PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) audit was conducted July 16—18. While the official audit report was not yet available at the meeting, he said initial comments were positive concerning consistency, investigative approach and staff knowledge of PREA standards, and he thanked Deputy Warden Conklin and Captain Murphy for their preparation and work maintaining PREA standards.
Eichenlaub also acknowledged that managers and department supervisors at the facility maintain "good to outstanding" attendance, though he did not list individuals by name for that recognition.
Procedural items recorded in the minutes show the board approved the July 24, 2025 meeting minutes "as presented and filed." Commissioner Deb Baughman moved to adjourn at 12:45 p.m.; Commissioner JR Winck seconded and the motion passed. The board announced its next meeting for October 16, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
