Commissioners Outline Steps to Improve Safety and Security of County Prison

Posted 8-3-09

The Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners -- Tom Balya, Tom Ceraso, and Charles Anderson -- today outlined steps to improve security and safety at the Westmoreland County Prison.

"We dealt with the recent misbehavior by several corrections officers quickly and appropriately," said Commissioner Tom Ceraso, who chairs the County Prison Board. "The steps we are taking now are about working to prevent future problems between guards and inmates, while also improving the process for addressing issues should they occur. It is impossible to totally prevent problems in a prison atmosphere, but it is our duty to minimize the likelihood of them occurring."

"While we are confident that the inappropriate actions of a few officers were part of an isolated incident and not an indication of any systemic problems, we want to make sure that we are putting the people charged with the safe and secure incarceration of inmates in the best position to do it right," added Commissioner Tom Balya.

The steps taken by the commissioners, in consultation with the management team of the prison, involve staffing changes, surveillance improvements, and a new training program.

First, effective immediately, management staffing levels have been increased during the 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. shift. An additional lieutenant (or shift commander) will be on duty, increasing the management oversight team to two lieutenants and two sergeants during this shift. This move was accomplished without creating any additional positions. Rather, the prison rearranged the work schedules and reassigned certain roles of the existing seven lieutenant positions.

"The likelihood of events with inmates is greatest during this shift, given that all of the inmates are in the facility because court hearings and work release are over," said Commissioner Ceraso. "In addition to the increased management numbers, we've also directed shift commanders to have a stronger presence in the housing units to monitor the activities of the inmates and the officers. We've also instructed senior management to be more visible during these hours."

Second, prison management has identified an interrogation room to be used any time an inmate must be questioned outside of his or her cell. The interrogation room is equipped with a 24-hour surveillance camera to record all interaction between guards and inmates. Guards will use handheld cameras to record the movement of inmates from their cell to the interrogation room. Plans are also being finalized to add five additional security cameras throughout the facility this year, as part of a long-term program to improve the surveillance of the prison.

Finally, the county is working with the state Department of Corrections' Office of Professional Responsibility to incorporate additional training programs in the facility. Plans are being finalized to train the warden, deputy wardens, lieutenants, and sergeants on internal affairs investigatory techniques. The deputy warden of security serves as the internal affairs officer at the prison. However, to increase the effectiveness and cooperation of internal affairs investigations the training is being extended to other management staff. The training will be conducted at no cost to county taxpayers.

"The county commissioners are committed to making the Westmoreland County Prison better in every way. All of these proposals have that direction at heart, and have my support," said Commissioner Chuck Anderson.

The plans announced today are geared toward ensuring the continued safety and security of the prison. For the past two state inspection cycles, in 2008 and 2006, the Prison received the highest possible score (100 percent compliance). The state Department of Corrections' inspections focus on 25 categories, including admissions, personnel, rules and regulations, housing, 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. Westmoreland County was one of only 22 counties that achieved 100 percent compliance in 2008.

"We have set a standard of excellence at the Westmoreland County Prison that the public can be extremely proud of," said Commissioner Tom Balya. "We will continue to work hard to ensure that the county prison is a facility that protects the public and provides safe incarceration for inmates."

For more information about the Westmoreland County Prison, visit www.co.westmoreland.pa.us (keyword: prison).