Special courts and programs in Clarion County are paying dividends at the county jail.
Judge Sara Seidle Patton said the county currently has 103 people in the Intermediate Punishment Program (I.P.P.), six people on work release and 20 on house arrest.
“The I.P.P. helps these people get back into the public and helps them pay their debt to society. It helps to keep our costs down,” jail warden Jeff Hornberger said. “We appreciate the judge’s efforts to help us with the special courts,” he added.
“The judge granted a furlough for one of the inmates so we were not required to keep a guard on them,” said Hornberger.
Two corrections officers had to be detailed to guard the inmate around the clock during his stay at the hospital. Hornberger said two corrections officers were required to provide relief for one another.
“That is going to reflect in our budget. Our overtime cost and our medical expenses will be higher,” Hornberger said. “The costs are out of my control. The local hospital recommended treatment at another hospital.”
Hornberger said Seidle Patton granted the furlough to the other inmate and that relieved the jail of providing a guard.
Hornberger said the jail was seeing a higher incidence of mental health issues and that required an additional expense in drug costs.
“This is not unique to Clarion County. It is happening in every county and every state,” Hornberger said.
Hornberger said the average daily inmate population at the jail is increasing.
“It is creeping up,” he said. “This time of year creates more mischievous behavior.”
Hornberger also presented an account of the jail’s commissary fund, which has a current balance of $94,480.74.
“This fund is used for anything for the inmate’s well-being,” he said. “The taxpayers of Clarion County have never had to pay for a single uniform or sheet in the jail.”
The fund has been used to replace rooftop air conditioner units.