HARRISBURG — State assistance has been offered following a fire that destroyed the Northumberland County Prison. Senator John Gordner (R-27th, Berwick) and State Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108th, Sunbury) spoke with the State Department of Corrections and Northumberland County officials to discuss an action plan following the prison loss.
The Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel has agreed to the following:
– Male inmates will be housed at SCI Coal Township for 28 days at no cost.
– Segregated housing is available at SCI Coal Township by moving state inmates to another facility
– Feale inmates will be housed at SCI Muncy for 28 days at no cost.
– County inmates are being kept separate from state inmates at Muncy.
– A website has been established for Northumberland County on the Department’s website to facilitate information distribution. the site is www.cor.pa.gov.
– They will begin discussions relating to the possible utilization of Northumberland County corrections staff.
– Video-conferencing will be provided for the county court system
– They will begin discussions on a long-term housing plan at both state facilities at reasonable per-diem rates.
The Secretary will be meeting with county officials next week to begin discussions on a long-term plan to house county inmates and begin discussions on the future of corrections in Northumberland County. (Ali Stevens)