New Mattresses & Hot Food Available in Jail
County Sheriff Bill Rupert (in green) leads last week’s monthly Prison Board meeting as President. The Prison Board is not only made up of Armstrong County Jail officials, but officials such as Sheriff Rupert, County commissioners and Controller Myra Miller.
by Jonathan Weaver
New mattresses and hot meals at the Armstrong County Jail are improving morale among inmates.
Deputy Warden Douglas McCully - who was hired in March – said the mattresses from Bob Barker, Inc. detention suppliers in North Carolina cost a total of about $8,200 - about half the regular cost – and even less-expensive than the sale price that was proposed a few weeks ago.
The 200 mattresses for cells and the intake area arrived in two shipments – between last week and Thursday afternoon so they could be implemented during the weekend.
Warden Phillip Shaffer said the mattresses – costing about $41 each - are a “big improvement for the inmates.” Mattresses were paid for through the Commissary Fund.
“They were so poor. Most of them were the original mattresses that came when the jail was built, which was 13 years ago,” Warden Shaffer said. “I’m thinking that’s why we had so many back complaints, to be honest
“They should appreciate it.”
He added that officials will eventually develop a rotation plan so all don’t have to be replaced at once.
Regarding the food, Shaffer explained Nutrition, Inc. of Ford City began using the kitchen Monday.
Warden Shaffer has been impressed with the difference.
“I was there a couple different times, and you can actually see the steam coming off of the food,” Warden Shaffer said. “It’s much, much better for the inmates, but also for (County officials) because we don’t have to worry about any contraband coming in. They bring the trays in every day – they’re already here.”
During his hire, Warden Shaffer said it is also less expensive to bring food in than to make food on location. Warden Shaffer also believes utilizing this space will give inmates skills in the jail, including how to operate and work among others.
Currently, a rotation of about 10 inmates helps during the process.
In March, County commissioners said the under-utilized first-floor kitchen was one of the first things they noticed when they toured the jail in January. While interviewing for the new warden position, the commissioners asked many questions - including how the candidates would utilize the kitchen and also the gym.
After an executive session yesterday, County Prison Board officials agreed to hire two full-time nurses. Warden Shaffer said the nurses would treat inmates during evenings and weekends.
A nurse is currently on-staff during weekdays.
Local News | jweaver July 18, 2016
By jorn jensen, July 18, 2016 @ 7:48 AM
That’s what we want - happy, content inmates.
Is there a hotel tax for nightly stays? 3%? 5%?
Can I specify what I’d like to have for breakfast? I like my eggs over medium.
LOL
By worthingtonman, July 18, 2016 @ 3:28 PM
We worry too much about their comfort and morale. It’s a jail for goodness sakes. Maybe if we made a little less country club like and a little more Hard Core prison like, more folks would think twice about staying there
By north end guy, July 19, 2016 @ 12:01 PM
If I was a guard watching those people,I would rather see content prisoners than packs of unruly prisoners ready to jump me at any time.I think a hot meal and a nice bed a small price to pay.