Groundwork Laid for Reformed Jail Work Release Program

by Jonathan Weaver

A process is in place to consider re-instituting the suspended work release program for trusted Armstrong County Jail inmates.

Deputy Warden Doug McCully explained that starting this past June, inmates have served and trayed food, as well as washed dishes in the jail’s kitchen for their consideration of possibly being dubbed for work release.

“That’s a secured environment because they’re not going outside the walls – it gives us an opportunity to say ‘This person really is excelling – they may be able to move to the next step of the program to be an outside worker.’

“We want to reinstate (the work release program) – it’s unfortunate what happened because it gives the inmates something to look forward to.”

The program was suspended after trustee inmate Robert Crissman escaped from the jail early July 30, 2015 and killed family friend Tammy Long in her Rayburn Township home.

McCully confirmed there are inmates that have shown promise for outside work ‘in the yard.’

Armstrong County Commissioner Chair Pat Fabian – who also serves as the Prison Board Secretary – confirmed yesterday he and other Prison Board members have composed a rough draft of a plan to re-institute the program.

“Eventually, (the kitchen work is) going to be our evaluation period before inmates go back on work release,” Fabian said. “What’s going to happen is they’re going to go in there for a 30-day training period - five individuals (including Warden Philip Shaffer, deputy warden, nurse, jail counselor and lieutenant or corrections officer) are going to sign off before (inmates) are allowed in a the work release program.

“If they’re not making it in the kitchen, obviously we’re not going to put them outside the walls of the jail.”

“There’s going to be a lot more checks and balances and a lot of different checks and balances than was utilized in the past to ensure that what happened before is a lot less likely to happen,” Deputy Warden McCully reiterated.

Commissioner Fabian said officials might take that draft under further consideration next Summer.

“There’s been a plethora of new things going on at this jail, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team out here and the direction that the jail’s going in,” Fabian concluded.

New security measures – including the siren that is tested once per month – and revised policies and procedures are also being put into place before that consideration.

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