CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- The Franklin County Jail population is up 15 percent from a year ago.
Warden Dan Keen said he expects the population to continue to grow next year, largely because of new state laws.
The jail has 14 inmates sentenced and ready to serve their time in state prison, according to Keen, but the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is not accepting admissions until Nov. 26.
"By then we may have 18 to 20, and they're only going to take four," Keen to the Franklin County Prison Advisory Board on Thursday. "They are slowing the process down at the front end so they can get a better assessment."
Inmates assessed for mental illness, violent behavior and other issues can be assigned to state correctional institute best able to deal with their issues.
Some recently passed legislation (Act 84) is intended to speed up the transfer of inmate documents to the department of corrections, so assessment and classification should be faster, according to Commissioner Robert Thomas.
Meanwhile, the county must pick up the tab during the wait.
"He's still our inmate until SCI puts them in their system," Keen said.
The county jail also will be taking on more inmates because of changes in the state law. Act 81 allows offenders sentenced to less than five years to serve their time in county jail, with the approval of the warden. Act 122 allows the county to house non-violent offenders for the state. The state will pay for the county service.
The jail had an
average population of 343 inmates through October, compared to 290 at the same time last year. The population peaked at 408 inmates on Oct. 7.
"I do believe it's a new normal," Keen said.
The population increase reflects the rise in the local crime rate, he said.
The Chambersburg Police Department has reported an 11 percent increase in felonies and misdemeanors through the first seven months of 2012 compared to a year earlier. Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg, report an 8 percent increase.
"I do feel our population will continue to grow," Keen said. "I expect it will plateau off for the remainder of the year. I also expect to have a bit of an increase next year."
In an average month this year, 222 people were sent to jail while 215 people were discharged. That compares to an average of 212 per month committed last year, and 215 discharged.
The jail also houses inmates from Fulton County and the U.S. Marshal, and both populations are up slightly.
"The staff is taking it in stride," Keen said. "We're running fine with the budget."
So far the jail has needed additional food, supplies and inmate uniforms. Inmate misconduct has no pattern during the year. Inmate complaints have increased from 48 in October 2011 to 73 this October.
Copyright 2012 - Public Opinion, Chambersburg, Pa.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
