County commissioners ok study at county correctional facility

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Noting a continuing staffing problem at the Clinton County Correctional Facility, the Clinton County Commissioners on Thursday approved a proposal for a review of operations at the McElhattan-based county prison. The contract is with CGL Management Group, the cost is $43,770.

The commissioners reiterated their comments from Monday’s work session: staffing is a problem at the county lock-up, as well as at prisons all across the state. Board chairman Miles Kessinger said the study results should help in hiring and retaining correctional officers. He said guard work is “not a career for everyone.”

Commissioner Jeff Snyder said Clinton County’s problem is not unique to the county. He also revised the number of correctional officers currently employed. On Monday he said the normal number of officers is 56 and that figure had dropped to 20 to 25 officers. On Thursday he said he misspoke; that the prison currently is down 21 correctional officers.

Staffing is also a problem at the county’s Department of Emergency Services. Kessinger said that operation is shy four or five employees. Commissioner Angela Harding noted part-time positions are also available there.

In personnel matters related to emergency services, the commissioners promoted Takoda Perez from dispatcher trainee to fulltime 9-1-1 dispatcher at the starting salary of $31,354, effective Sept. 12. They also approved the hiring of Brianne Bailey as a dispatcher trainee at an annual salary of $27,439, effective Oct. 4.