CLEARFIELD – On Tuesday, the Clearfield County Prison Board welcomed new Warden David Kessling and accepted the resignation of acting warden/deputy warden Michael Cook, who will be transferring back to the probation department.
The board also discussed options for repairs at the jail. Commissioner David Glass suggested the board needed to start thinking about options.
Glass has had two tours of the Clearfield County Jail and noted that the roof leaks in places, there is equipment that doesn’t work, there are structural issues and he fears corrections officers and inmates are in danger.
“I strongly believe we cannot put this off,” he said.
Controller Tom Adamson asked if it would be possible to use the COVID-19 grant money, but it can only be used for certain things and must be used by the end of the year.
Board members discussed looking into whether the money could be used to replace some of the equipment.
Glass said the commissioners are open to suggestions on what can be done and how to pay for it.
A brief review of the budget showed that the jail had a year-to-date income of $41,309.13 at the end of June and expenses of $1,905,918.66.
Kessling said he intends to review expenses and work on finding ways to save money for the county.
Upon reviewing the list of bills for June, Glass noted that the pharmacy bill, which is normally between $18,000-$20,000 was just over $6,000 for June. Cook said that he believed part of the reason was that the population has been lower at the jail in recent months.
Also, the new doctor has been tougher on inmates. Cook said the doctor believes that if an inmate didn’t need the drug “on the street,” then they do not have to have it while incarcerated.
The month of June began with 118 inmates, with 127 committed, 122 released and ending with 129.