County Prison Work Admirable
Posted 01-08-1997
Often the news from the public sector is unpleasant or unfavorable to the citizens of
Westmoreland County. However this month I would like to tell a positive story about the
Westmoreland County Prison. Our prison, under the leadership of Warden Kurt Scalzott has
served the citizens well in an extremely demanding, constantly changing environment.
Through Mr. Scalzott's work, our Court of
Common Pleas' leadership, and the efforts of our Adult Probation Office, Westmoreland
County has implemented a number of innovative programs to help reduce the prison
population and save the taxpayers money. Several years ago our county faced the prospect
of a prison filled to capacity a few years after it was built. With the stricter
drunk-driving laws more people were facing time in jail and our criminal justice system
was facing a real challenge.
We implemented an Intermediate Punishment
Program about 18 months ago and our prison population that was almost at capacity (440),
is at 379 people as of January 31. The Intermediate Punishment Program has saved 31,711
bed days that translates into a savings of $1,680,842 to Westmoreland County. The per diem
cost of an inmate bed day is $53. This innovative program uses electronic ankle bracelets
to track non-violent offenders and costs approximately $15 per day. Offenders assume a
percentage of this cost, and the county saves money in open cells and deferred costs.
Operation of the program is paid for through both State ($205,000) and County ($131,000)
funds.
New to the county prison this year is a
program designed for our female population called simply, "The Program".
"The Program" targets this population when they are incarcerated and assists
them when released. The idea is to counsel female offenders about their situation and to
help prepare them for employment. Over 80% of our female offenders are mothers, so it is
critical they develop the skills and attitudes to correct their lives. "The
Program" has proven to decrease repeat offenders in the female population in counties
that have implemented it. The funding for "The Program" is through grant money
and some resources from the inmate welfare fund.
We also implemented a Community Service
Program that has offenders doing work for various organizations throughout the county as a
form of punishment for their crimes. Last year 140 were sentenced to community service and
35 people completed community service. A total of 14,260 hours were assigned and 3,460
hours of service were completed.
Next month an effort to better improve
inmate parenting skills will be initiated. Rather than transporting inmates to the
Children's Bureau for contact visits, a room will be developed at the prison for inmates
to meet with their children. This new program will help children deal with their parents'
incarceration and better prepare inmates for their responsibilities as parents upon
release from prison. Parents Anonymous will conduct the initial parenting class that will
prepare inmates to have contact visits.
As you can see our prison and our criminal
justice system are conducting a number of programs that will not only save taxpayer
dollars but better rehabilitate offenders and prepare them for life after incarceration.
If these efforts reduce recidivism in Westmoreland County we all stand to benefit. In a
age where we hear many negative stories about government, this story is one that can make
us proud of our public servants. |
