SUNBURY - Due to an increasing population and for security reasons, female inmates at Northumberland County Prison will be moved from their current quarters into 14 renovated cells under the right wing.
Warden Roy Johnson reported at Wednesday's prison board meeting that the overall prison population continues to grow. He noted a significant increase in the female population, which prompted officials to move the females into a more secure area similar to cells housing the male inmates. The female population will remain segregated from the male inmates.
As of Wednesday, the prison population was 225, including 186 males and 39 females.
Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage, a prison board member, applauded Johnson for making renovations to housing quarters at the prison that will make females eligible for work release.
Johnson commended several female inmates who are planting a vegetable garden at the prison. He said local vendors have donated plants for the garden.
In other business
The prison board authorized Johnson to immediately take steps to repair a heavily deteriorated section of wall on the northeast side of the prison facing Arch Street. Sacavage made a motion seconded by District Attorney Tony Rosini to declare the interior wall an emergency situation and have repairs made as soon as possible.
The repairs are scheduled to cost approximately $7,500.
Two other badly deteriorated sections of the wall also will be repaired in the near future. The total cost of the wall repairs is estimated at $15,000.
Commissioners Frank Sawicki, Merle Phillips and Vinny Clausi, who are all prison board members as well, voiced their full support for the wall project, which will be paid with general funds.
Board members discussed options to rectify the food bid process at the prison that has become a problem since the commissioners requested vendors to commit to certain prices for six months in their contracts.
Johnson said only a couple bidders were willing to commit to a six-month contract at fixed prices. He said companies like Aramark and Canteen are willing to provide food products with a specific mark up, but aren't willing to bid line items under the current system.
Prison board members agreed to study their options further before making a final decision on the food bidding process.
Johnson said the prison spent approximately $360,000 on its culinary department in 2010. The warden said he is confident the prison can save approximately 40 percent on food purchases by choosing a new bidding process, if food prices don't continue to escalate.
Sawicki introduced Wendy Confair of Millersburg as the new home administration service registered nurse for Prime Care Medical Inc., which provides medical services at the prison. Confair, who began her duties three weeks ago, replaces Dondalynn Snyder, who resigned to take a position at another prison.
Rosini questioned a significant increase in nursing physicals listed on the medical report. The number of physicals increased from 53 to 128 in recent months.
Johnson said the increased prison population and the fact not all inmates are given physicals right away upon entering the facility are the reasons for the dramatic increases in physicals. He said all inmates are required to have a physical conducted by a nurse or doctor within 15 days of their commitment.
The board held a brief executive session at the end of the 60-minute meeting to discuss litigation matters.