Jul 18, 2002 By Amy Karpinsky 4 min read

At the request of Greene County Prison Warden Harry D. Gillispie, the county’s prison board Wednesday agreed to create a deputy warden position, which carries a $30,253 annual salary. The prison has been without a deputy warden since the last one resigned in September 1998. Gillispie said the number of inmates at the prison had been low until the last few years. Last month, the average number was 91, and 102 inmates were housed in the prison as of Wednesday.

“I need some help administratively,” Gillispie said. The warden added that he lost two shift supervisors earlier this year, and, although they have been replaced, he needs someone with experience.

Gillispie said this year he budgeted for either a counselor or a deputy warden. Last month, Barb Benchek was hired as a prison counselor, but her salary will be funded for three years through a grant. Chief county clerk Gene Lee said Gillispie is under budget by 4 percent.

“He’s making more money than any other thing in town,” said county Commissioner Scott Blair.

On the subject of making money for the prison, Gillispie reported that, as of Wednesday, he was housing 18 inmates from Fayette County and 12 from Erie County.

He said Fayette County still owes $25,000 for June, and Erie County still owes about $1,000 for the same time period. Gillispie added that both counties also will have to pay for July cell rental. The warden said the prison likely will lose the Fayette County inmates by Friday, when the Fayette County Prison’s minimum-security annex is scheduled to open.

However, Gillispie said he has spoken with other counties and he will likely find others to pay to send prisoners to Greene County. He said most county prisons will accept only one or two inmates at a time.

“We’re the only game in town that will take 15 to 20 at a clip,” Gillispie said.

Controller John Stets said the jail rental business in the county is “better than tourism.”

Regarding other projects at the prison, the prison board voted to install a new telephone system from Alltel of Pennsylvania, at a cost of $3,926. Gillispie said the existing system works only some of the time and has been in use for 22 years.

Additionally, Kevin Gray reported that a $36,661 bid was received from Combustion Service for an air conditioning unit to replace the 22-year-old air conditioner at the prison. Gillispie said he had budgeted $50,000 for the project.

At their agenda meeting held before the prison board meeting, the county commissioners voted to place the contract on today’s agenda.

Gray reported that the roof replacement project likely will be completed after the new air conditioning unit is installed.

Lee said that in five years or so, the prison board could consider building a second tent structure at the prison, but more space is needed. Gillispie said the board can consider more than one site where the prison could expand.

Gillispie also noted that more space is needed soon. He said the counselor took up space near his office and he will soon need space for the deputy warden.

In other matters discussed during the commissioners’ agenda meeting, Morgan Township park board member Tara Kinsell said Morgan and Jefferson townships are having a problem with drug trafficking and vandalism.

She said drug paraphernalia has been found where the county day camp program is held. Jake Blaker, the head of the county’s recreation department, said he has received the full cooperation of the Morgan Township supervisors, but the problems occur at night.

Commissioner Dave Coder acknowledged the problem and advised Kinsell to keep the state police informed.

Also, Steve Barrett of the Communities That Care program announced that a community event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Wana B Park, Carmichaels. He said this first community project for Communities That Care will include free food, games and contests.

“It’s going to be a fun-filled day,” he said.

Also at the meeting, the commissioners voted to place the following items on today’s agenda for approval:

– A 99-year lease agreement between the county and the Greene County Historical Society for 191/2 acres in Franklin Township, including the site of the Greene County Historical Museum. The cost is $1 per year.

– An agreement between the county and Horizontal Boring Inc. for underground boring to connect the county building, the courthouse and the Fort Jackson building with underground fiber optic line, at a cost of $15 per foot.

– A price proposal from Widmer Engineering for inspection/inventory of the county’s bridges for the 2003 fiscal year.

– A $10,000 grant application to the Department of Community and Economic Development for the sheriff’s department to purchase a new vehicle.

– A $30,000 grant application for the annual adult probation grant-in-aid to help with salaries for the department.