Restrictions on visitation and other programs at the Clarion County jail will remain in place for the near future.
Jail warden Jeff Hornberger on Thursday requested the county’s Jail Inspection Board review the no visitation policy and the suspension of the work release program.
Visitation was halted at the jail due to the COCID-19 pandemic. Hornberger said it is important for the inmates to stay in touch with their families, and he said having a solid support system in place when they are released helps reduce recidivism.
County Judge Sara Seidle-Patton said she believed the restrictions on visitation should remain in place even though the county has been placed in the yellow zone under Gov. Tom Wolf’s re-opening plan.
“I believe visitation would be shut down until we are placed in the green zone,” Seidle-Patton said.
Hornberger suggested that technology might help some inmates with a virtual visitation.
He explained several companies had approached him about a system that would allow qualified inmates an opportunity to visit virtually with their families. He said a member of the jail’s staff would monitor the visits.
District Attorney Drew Welsh said the video visits should be recorded. The Zoom meeting platform offers that option.
The board instructed Hornberger to investigate the proper technology and report to the board at the panel’s June meeting.
Hornberger also asked the board to consider re-opening the work release program. That program allows inmates to continue to work at their approved employment during their incarceration.
Inmates enrolled in the program must have permission from the court.
Commissioner and jail board member Ted Tharan objected to re-starting the program.
“How can we allow inmates to make a living when we have taken away the livelihood of business owners,” Tharan asked.
Hornberger said that because of the low jail population at this time he could isolate the inmates enrolled in the program when they returned from their work. The isolation would be voluntary.
The warden said there are only two inmates in the work release program at this time.
Hornberger said the risk of infection at the jail would most likely be from a staff member or new prisoner bringing the virus into the facility.
The board voted not to re-open the work release program at this time.
Hornberger said only four people were admitted to the jail in April. The average daily population was 63 inmates.
That may change soon however as the court has been observing social distancing in the courtroom, which excluded jury trials and some other functions requiring a larger number of people.
Seidle-Patton said the court would conduct a jury trial toward the end of June.
“We are expecting an influx of new commitments,” said Hornberger.