A jail is a place designed to keep people in but sometimes it is necessary to take them out and that is a problem for the Clarion County Jail.
Warden Jeff Hornberger told the Jail Inspection Board that of jail’s two transport vehicles was no longer serviceable at the Jail Board meeting Jan. 31.
Hornberger said the 2009 Dodge Charger that had been used to transport prisoners failed to pass inspection. “The frame is rusted and it would cost over $2,000 for repairs and there is no guarantee how long those repairs would hold,” he said. Hornberger decommissioned the vehicle.
The remaining vehicle is a 2019 Ford Escape. Hornberger pointed out that the transport vehicle must have a cage that separates the passengers from the driver.
Hornberger asked the board for permission to seek bids for a lease vehicle. “The last one we had was on a three year lease before we purchased it,” he said. “We only put 5,000-8,000 a year on the vehicle.”
District Attorney Drew Welsh said it might not be possible to get a vehicle in a timely fashion. “I don’t know if you can just walk in and get a vehicle right now,” he said.
It was suggested that one of the regular Sheriff’s Department cars could be used. Zerfoss said those cars are equipped with emergency red and blue lights and could not be used for transport purposes He said his department was caught in a similar situation last year when a car broke down in Georgia while making a prisoner transport and two deputies were stuck in Georgia. “I don’t want to be in that position again,” he said.
Judge Sara Seidle-Patton made a motion to allow the Warden to seek bids. Her motion passed unanimously.
The Clarion County Board of Commissioners would need to approve any lease or purchase.
Hornberger reported an increase in commitments. “We had 50 commitments and only 33 releases. I like it to be equal,” he said. The average daily prisoner population in January was 64 inmates.