Clarion prison board eyes revenue hikes

The Clarion County Prison Board is looking at two options that would result in more revenues for jail operations.

County commissioners Ted Tharan, Wayne Brosius and Ed Heasley, who are also prison board members, approved the renewal of an inmate phone system during Thursday’s prison board meeting.

The contract is a five-year deal with Global Tel Link, which has provided phone service for the jail for eight years.

“The inmates spend roughly 34,000 minutes per month on the phone as an average,” said Jeff Hornberger, the county jail warden.

With the plan, the county will gather 11 cents of revenue for each minute an inmate uses the phone. The rate will be a 50 percent commission for the jail, according to a proposal brought to the meeting Thursday by Hornberger.

A major benefit to the renewal of the contract will be the free use of the user/maintenance program and support of the current inmate management system.

Hornberger estimates that this addition to the contract will save the jail about $40,000.

“This will help law enforcement officials and investigation reports,” said Hornberger.

Additional benefits are that GTL will also provide a new laptop to be used for booking new inmates as well as a new computer for the same purpose.

The company will also provide a new kiosk to be used for booking inmates.

“The kiosk will prevent corrections staff from ever needing to touch money that belongs to the inmates,” said Hornberger.

The contract renewal will also provide the jail a new driver’s license scan reader for individuals coming for visitation, said Hornberger.

The county is also looking to gather revenue with fees charged to inmates.

The jail is currently near the bottom of the pack among Pennsylvania county jails in terms of fees gathered from inmates.

“All money collected from fees will go to help with inmate welfare,” said Hornberger.

Items provided for inmates, like sheets, uniforms and shoes, are never paid for with taxpayer money, the warden said.

Money comes from things such as booking fees, doctor visits, prescription medications, transportation, maintenance and misconduct.