A recent incident where a county inmate did not receive his prescribed medication before going to a court proceeding that delayed the trial is being addressed at the Schuylkill County Prison.
The Schuylkill County Prison Board met Wednesday in a prison classroom and was informed about the incident in the prison report by Warden Eugene Berdanier.
"A concern was brought to my attention recently involving an inmate not receiving medication prior to attending a court proceeding," Berdanier said. "I have issued a directive to staff that all inmates leaving the building for court must be questioned if they need or request any prescribed medications. An inmate is not to exit the building until the medical department dispenses needed medications."
Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin, a prison board member, addressed the matter on how important it is to have inmates ready for court.
"When we have people scheduled for trial, and we only have criminal trials five terms a year, those people have to be segregated and special attention must be taken so that they get fed, get clothed and they get their medications before trial is supposed to start," Baldwin said. "And I had a real issue with one case. One of the defendants was taking mental health medications. We were going to start that day with him testifying. He came over saying that he was brought over to court without his medications, that he was not prepared to testify because he was hearing voices. I'm not saying I was buying everything he was saying, but it is an issue that I had to wait while PrimeCare (Medical Inc.) people came over and gave him the medication in the courtroom."
Baldwin said the matter caused a lengthy delay in the trial start.
"I had to wait to make sure that the medication had time to take effect," Baldwin said. "We lost about a half a day in trial because if I had proceeded without that being done, then he would have had an issue on appeal if he would have been contacted.
"Those who are coming over for trial have to be taken care of promptly that morning so they are ready for trial."
"We understand," Berdanier said. "We generally had no concerns with that in the past. We try to do what's necessary by getting them prepped and prepared for transport by the sheriff's office. In response, I put a directive out so it doesn't happen again, that our officers question before they are leaving the building if they must take any prescribed medications or have any medical concerns so our medical people can see them before they are taken out. We do apologize that that did occur, and we will address it."
Berdanier said the average total prison population was 281 in May: 229 males and 52 females. The peak census in May was 302 inmates. On June 11, the census was 292 inmates, with males at 228 and females at 64.
"Our female population has peaked a little bit and continues to do so right now, so we're overcrowded in our female units," Berdanier said. "We're obviously trying to manage that as best we can."
Berdanier said there are 38 cells with three inmates in them, 11 with females and 27 with males. These cells are designed for two inmates.
In other sections of the prison report for May:
- Total expenditures were $375,352.71. Total revenue, including room and board from work release program, reimbursed expenditures and inmate commissary commission, was $13,616.03.
- Steamer in the kitchen was repaired, with the igniter replaced. Berdanier said it is a reoccurring problem and the repair company is attempting to find the reason.
- Maintenance is coordinating a plan to paint all inmate cells. Berdanier said it is difficult to do due to the overcrowding.
- Maintenance has been working on an inmate concern regarding the proper operation of the window crank in the cells. Berdanier said that since the issue is beyond the maintenance department's knowledge, Muncy Glass was approved to evaluate the situation and will provide a quote to repair. Berdanier said those are the original parts to open the cell windows.
- Additional cots have been ordered and were expected to be picked up June 12. Extra cots are necessary due to overcrowding and recent Department of Corrections inspection recommendations, Berdanier reported.
- Trinity Service Group Inc. is requesting approval to increase pricing from $1.248 to $1.29 per food tray, effective March 1, in accordance with current contract provisions and the Consumer Price Index. Berdanier said the information was forwarded to the county administrator for the commissioners' review.
- Work release beds remained full throughout May. There were 13 beds filled by inmates with employment. Nine inmates participated in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program and inmates used for utility work for the prison occupied two beds. Eleven inmates are eligible for paroles, with those beds becoming available by the end of June. No inmates were removed from the program for any violations. Three female inmates participated in the work release program. Seven males and two females are awaiting approval for admittance in the work release program, and eight male defendants are awaiting approval/admittance to the VRP.