Pocono News Section

Study Recommends Pre-Release Jail Facility

Study Recommends Pre-Release Jail Facility - Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 6:56PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 @06:56pm EST
POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY - An overcrowding problem at the Schuylkill County prison could mean that a new facility may be built. A long awaited study on the jail was released Wednesday morning and it recommends building a new multi-million dollar pre-release center.

Officials with the Schuylkill County Prison Board said the jail is currently 100 inmates over its capacity.

"Our population is at a critical level," warden Eugene Berdanier said.

A critical time that calls for critical measures. After months of interviews and studies, the Crabtree Consulting group released its report which said the county should build a $4.7 million pre-release facility on the grounds of the State Correctional Facility in nearby Frackville. The determination was made after looking at the pros and cons of building a brand new jail or renovating the existing one.

"The bottom line is the cost of updating or building is evaluated," Tom Crabtree of the Crabtree Consulting group said.

The Schuylkill County prison needs to take action now because earlier this year it failed its recent inspection because of overcrowding.

The majority county commissioners seem to embrace the idea, saying it will increase rehabilitation programs for prisoners like job skills training and parenting classes.

Commissioners have not indicated when a final decision on whether or not to build the new pre-release center would be made.