5/19/16
by News Department on 05/19/16Prison agreement...
The Schuylkill County commissioners finalized an agreement Wednesday to house inmates at the Centre County Correctional Facility, in Bellefonte.
According to the Republican Herald, the state Department of Corrections, on May 4, ordered that the Schuylkill County prison can no longer take any additional prisoners sentenced between six months to five years until its average monthly inmate population is at or below its approved capacity of 277.
Schuylkill County has been sending male inmates to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, Thornton, and female inmates to the State Correctional Institution/Muncy since March. The agreement has already gone into effect and will end Dec. 31, but has renewal options.
The per diem rate is $65 a day per inmate. Ten women were transferred to Centre County on Saturday. Meanwhile, 22 men are being housed at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility while none remain at Muncy. The county also pays $65 a day per inmate as part of those agreements.
Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage said the prison board is also discussing housing agreements with Columbia and Berks counties.
The state DOC will review its order in three months.
