State inmates stuck in Blair

HOLLIDAYSBURG - Twelve state-sentenced inmates will remain in Blair County Prison until early December when their admissions can be scheduled, a state Department of Corrections spokeswoman said Friday.

Blair County officials, who have tried to transfer state-sentenced inmates as quickly as possible, recently learned that inmate transfers have been temporarily halted.

"It's a scheduling issue," said Sue Bensinger of the state Department of Corrections. "Blair wanted to bring them [to Camp Hill] on a particular day, and the schedule is full."

Bensinger said Blair might be able to schedule a transfer of inmates on Dec. 1.

Blair County Prison Warden Michael M. Johnston said Thursday that he understands the state isn't accepting Blair County inmates until after Dec. 4.

"We'll be responsible for their care until they leave," Johnston told the county prison board.

The cost of inmate medical care is one reason county officials have pushed to expedite the transfer of state-sentenced inmates.

While Prime Care Inc. handles medical care for the inmates inside the prison, it caps the amount it pays per inmate. The rest is paid by the county.

The county also is responsible for inmate medical costs when care is rendered outside the prison.

Commissioner Diane Meling said the 2009 fiscal reports show the county jail will be over budget for medical expenses. She asked Prime Care to take a look at what can be done to curb costs. The company's contract expires Dec. 31 and is up for renewal.

Bensinger said the state's Camp Hill facility, which receives inmates from Blair and other counties, is full at this time but continues to process transfers and admissions from the counties.

"Each day, we move out inmates to other home institutions [state prisons] across the state," she said.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania prison officials were in Muskegon, Mich., Thursday, checking out what could be temporary housing for up to 1,500 inmates. Pennsylvania initially looked at five states where it could house inmates and reportedly has settled on Michigan and Virginia.

Michigan's Muskegon Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison slated to close after inmates there are moved to other facilities. The prison has 1,328 beds.