CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Jail is looking for a new deputy warden.
During Tuesday’s Prison Board meeting, it was noted that Eric Bush, the former deputy, resigned effective Oct. 28. He started at the jail in late October 2022.
No further discussion on this change was discussed. Warden David Gallagher did not attend the meeting.
The position has been advertised for over 30 days with a starting wage of $49,000, according to the Indeed listing.
President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman noted that the commissioners have already been interviewing candidates to fill the position.
Ammerman questioned whether the facility is still short of corrections officers.
District Attorney Ryan Sayers responded that the last time he spoke with the warden, they still needed additional staff.
Controller Robert Edwards stated that he thought they may need two or three more CO’s, based on the payroll account.
The Indeed ad for CO’s lists that starting rate at $15.20/hour. Keeping a full staff at the facility has been a problem.
The jail has been under scrutiny since last summer when two female inmates overdosed and a few days later another inmate who overdosed on contraband died. The family of the victim has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county, warden, and several corrections officers, according to previous articles.
As he reviewed the Warden’s report, Ammerman questioned whether a deputy warden could attend the Prison Board meeting if the warden was not available.
Commissioner John Sobel said he believes the deputy wardens have attended meetings in the past. Commissioner Mary Tatum volunteered to email the warden to ask about this.
After it was announced that the end of October the population of the jail was 183, Sayers asked whether the changing of the cell locks had been completed yet, noting it would be difficult with that many inmates since they are rotating the cell blocks to leave one empty for the change.
Ammerman stated that he believes this work is still in progress.
The Board also:
- Discussed the installation of the new body scanner which has arrived at the jail. It will need to be tested and approved before the employees are trained and it is ready to be used.
- Learned there are currently five inmates on work release.
- Were told expenses for the facility are as expected for this point of the year but the revenue is still ahead due to a state grant.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 19 at noon in the commissioner’s meeting room.