Aug 1, 2002 By Amy Karpinsky 3 min read

Since opening the minimum-security annex of the Fayette County Prison nearly two weeks ago, the number of inmates in the county prison system has increased from 206 to 225. Despite the increase, Warden Larry Medlock told the Fayette County Prison Board Wednesday that the population is down 19 percent compared with July of 2001. And also unlike last year, all the inmates are now housed in Fayette County. With the opening of the annex, the county brought home all the inmates that the county had been paying to house in neighboring county jails.

Medlock said he anticipates that by the end of next week, there will be 230 prisoners in the lockups. District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon added that the months of July and August are typically when the prison population is at its largest.

Alternative forms of punishment could account for a fewer number of inmates this summer compared to last year. Judge John Wagner reported that the intermediate punishment program is up to about 200 individuals. Vernon said the program is bringing in revenue as well. Cavanagh commended Vernon for the programs that put inmates in rehabilitation instead of jail.

“I think these programs make sense,” he said. Driving under the influence offenders are getting the option of seeking alcohol treatment programs instead of doing jail time.

Vernon said the “weekend program,” where inmates can spend weekends in drug rehabilitation in Altoona instead of jail, is also catching on.

Medlock reported that the inspection reports for the prison and annex only revealed a few findings. He said he is in the process of taking care of the findings. Medlock said the inspector was impressed with annex and said he would recommend officials from other counties across the state to take a tour.

“The annex is working nicely,” Medlock said. The barracks-style facility can hold between 60 and 80 prisoners, but rules and regulations for those permitted inside are followed.

Medlock said he is allowing smoking in the exercise yard and the inmates seem to have adjusted. Also, the inmates serving weekend sentences are doing so in the annex. Since its opening, Medlock said about four inmates were removed from the annex for violations such as disrespect to the officers and smoking. Medlock said the inmates in the new annex are expected to make their beds and keep things clean.

Although the annex will have enough space for 80 inmates, Medlock said it will be tight with that many. However, he said they will put the inmates in there if the alternative is to ship them to other counties.

With the opening, Medlock said he will need another maintenance officer. Currently, only one person holds that position. Following a brief executive session, the prison board voted to hire Jay Arthur Stutler of Uniontown as a full-time corrections officer. The board also voted to allow Medlock to interview candidates for six part-time officers and approved holding a special prison board meeting at 9 a.m. on Aug. 12 to hire the officers.

County commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh said that a grievance has been filed by the corrections officers requesting more guards to work in the annex. Currently, two work at the site. Cavanagh said at the minimum-security facility in Greene County, no officers work at the site as cameras monitor the prisoners.