More Security Changes Pending at Jail
Sirens, updated policies and procedures and a new phone emergency alert system have already been put in place to upgrade security around the Rayburn Township jail, but new cell phone and computer policies were also instituted at the beginning of the month.
by Jonathan Weaver
A year following an inmate escape, more security changes are to be made at the Armstrong County Jail soon or have been made already.
Sirens, updated policies and procedures and a new phone emergency alert system have already been put in place to upgrade security around the Rayburn Township jail, but at Thursday’s monthly prison board meeting, Warden Phillip Shaffer described even more changes to Commissioner Chair Pat Fabian, Sheriff Bill Rupert and District Attorney Scott Andreassi.
“We’re making it more secure here,” Warden Shaffer said. “No cell phones or computers are going to be permitted within the prison unless approved by the warden or deputy warden.”
With the assistance of County Information Technology Director Jason McClafferty, officials are also only able to access certain Internet webpages.
“The people getting into what they need to be getting into is (still) there,” Warden Shaffer said. “If someone is coming in to take notes on a computer and it doesn’t have internet on it, we would give permission for that. But, the ones that would have access to WiFi, none of that is going to be allowed.”
Those policies went into effect around the beginning of the month.
After reviewing security cameras, another security feature will be implemented before the second week of September.
In addition to walking through an existing metal detector, visitors will also be searched for items with a handheld metal detector in the future by a corrections officer and all visitors will not be able to bring large bags, Warden Shaffer said.
In case of an emergency evacuation, jail inmates will also be able to be transported to the Butler County or Indiana County prisons, pending final signature on a memorandum of understanding from county commissioners.
Warden Shaffer said he brainstormed the memorandum and received cooperation from neighboring counties with the assistance of Deputy Warden Douglas McCully.
“Hopefully, you never have to use (the agreement), but you just never know,” Warden Shaffer said.
While inmates may be able to be transported to the above prisons, it is a reciprocal annual agreement – meaning inmates may also be transported to Armstrong from those other jails if needed.
Prison Board officials verbally approved of the changes, but not enough officials were at the meeting to motion and sign off on the memorandum.
Local News | jweaver August 12, 2016
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