The Clarion County Jail Board took steps Friday to improve how inmates are heard and seen at the county jail.
Warden Jeff Hornberger told the board some of the jail’s internal surveillance cameras were “antiquated” and need to be replaced.
“Some of the cameras are original and they don’t offer the resolution we need,” Hornberger said. “Other cameras we have replaced on our own. There are wires hanging down from some of the cameras in the cell blocks and that’s not a good thing.”
The images captured by the various cameras are saved on a DVR system for a specified length of time.
The jail is also taking steps to be better heard.
County judge Sara Seidle-Patton told the board there are issues with a laptop computer used by the jail for testimony submitted to the court via Zoom. She said the acoustics in courtroom one at the courthouse can be difficult, and that makes hearing testimony difficult.
Hornberger said a new microphone will be obtained and that should eliminate the problem.
“We have had problems with the speaker for some time,” he said. Funds for the new equipment will be taken from the commissary fund.
Hornberger said a new leased vehicle has been received and will be ready to go as soon as the safety cage is in place.
Jail board member and county commissioner Ted Tharan said architect Amos Rudolph visited the jail recently to inspect the roof. Tharan had told the board last year the county maintenance crew had located areas on the original roof that presented a problem.
Tharan said the roof work might be split into two projects depending upon the cost. He said that was possible because there are two different elevations.
Hornberger said office manager Barb Edmonds is retiring after a combined 18 years of service to the county. Hornberger said other senior members of his staff will be retiring soon and that replacements are difficult to locate.
“This is a problem that is faced by everyone today,” he said. “We’re not alone in this.”
Hornberger reported that the average daily population in the jail was 78 inmates in February but the number spiked to 90.
“That caused me to worry a bit but the surge was due to special court sessions,” he said. “Things are back to normal now.”