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Westmoreland County Prison Earns Top Grade From State
Posted
12-7-2006 The Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners -- Chairman Tom Balya,
Tom Ceraso and Phil Light -- today announced that the County Prison received
the highest possible score (100 percent compliance) during a recent state
inspection of the facility. The Commissioners received a commendation from
the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections at today's public meeting.
"This is a honor for everyone who works so hard to ensure that the prison
fulfills its mission to protect the public and ensure safe incarceration for
inmates -- Warden John Walton and his deputies, the corrections officers and
support staff, and the County Prison Board," said Commissioner Tom Ceraso,
who chairs the County Prison Board. "The prison's 100 percent compliance
validates the programs, policies and procedures we've enacted to keep
operations running efficiently and effectively." The annual
inspection was performed in late October and focused on 25 categories,
including admissions, personnel, rules and regulations, housing, food
services, and internal investigations. Westmoreland County was in compliance
with state guidelines in every category. In the related "Facility Character
Profile", which involved interviews with both staff and inmates, state
evaluators determined high ratings for the county prison. "In
recent years the state standards have become more stringent, making this
accomplishment even more significant," said Commissioner Tom Balya. "This is
really a testament to the hard work of all our prison professionals."
"Due to the experience and capabilities of our prison officials I would
expect nothing less than the 100 percent," added Commissioner Phil Light.
Of the 67 counties in the state, Westmoreland County is one of only 16
counties that achieved 100 percent compliance. It is the first time
Westmoreland County has earned this honor since 1998. The
Westmoreland County Prison, located off U.S. Route 119 in Hempfield Township
near Greensburg, opened in March 1993. Daily management of the facility is
conducted by Warden John Walton and Deputy Warden Steve Cmar, with oversight
from the Prison Board, consisting of Commissioners Balya, Ceraso and Light,
Sheriff Chris Scherer, District Attorney John Peck and Controller Carmen
Pedicone. For more information about the Westmoreland County
Prison, visit
www.co.westmoreland.pa.us. |
