Counselors needed for Blair County jail

Prison currently has one of three positions filled as inmate population hits 390

A representative of the Pennsylvania Prison Society on Thursday called upon the Blair County Prison Board to hire more counselors for an inmate population that stands at a near record level of 390, according to the figures released by Warden Abbie Tate.

The number of inmates includes 322 males and 68 females, but the number of counselors stands at "one," reported Prison Society member Kathy Rhodes.

The Prison Society in Blair County is part of a statewide group that was formed almost 240 years ago to promote humane conditions for individuals who have erred and are behind bars.

Rhodes, a senior chaplain for the International Alliance of Chaplain Corps, explained that members of the Prison Society often tour the Blair facility and talk to the inmates about their concerns.

"Every time we do a tour we are told there are not enough counselors," stated Rhodes.

Three counselor positions have been created for the prison, but at the present time, only one of those positions is filled.

That position is held by Darlene Wilt.

Rhodes said a prison counselor has many duties, including helping inmates prepare their release plans.

She noted that the duty alone takes many hours of effort by the counselor.

And, Rhodes noted, when the prison does hire counselors, they don't stay long.

"Why don't people stay?" she asked.

She questioned whether the job pays enough.

Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks, a member of the prison board, turned toward Rhodes and explained that the salary problem is not just an issue for the prison staff, but emphasized that he too experiences a similar problem in his office -- that it is difficult to find and keep staff.

David Kessling, the chairman of the prison board and also the president of the Board of Commissioners, at this point in the discussion, stated there are a number of possible issues involved with the lack of counselors for the prison.

The wage is possibly only one of the issues when it comes to hiring and maintaining prison staff, Kessling explained, but also some people don't like being in such a closed environment or may also not want to deal with inmates.

"There are a lot of reasons," he emphasized.

During the Thursday meeting, Deputy Warden Cory Yedlosky stated that there are 22 vacancies on the prison staff, a figure cited by Kessling as he explained the staffing problem isn't just limited to the lack of counselors.

Tate, prior to becoming the prison warden, served as a counselor.

She stressed how challenging -- and important -- the position is.

The counselor is the liaison between the inmate and the outside world.

A counselor, she noted, helps the inmate remain in contact with his family, introduces him to programs, serves as a go-between the inmate and agencies like Children, Youth & Families, as well as helping the inmate prepare for release.

"They do a lot," Tate said as she discussed the counselor position after the meeting.

Meanwhile, the prison population remains high, even though officials are attempting to make arrangements to transport 39 males and two females who have been sentenced to state institutions.

As the population approaches 400, several Blair inmates are being housed in nearby prisons.

Cambria County is housing nine males, Bedford County has taken two males and a female and SCI Laurel Highlands is housing a male inmate from Blair.

Blair is housing six inmates from the other institutions.

According to a report issued Thursday, Blair has scheduled one trip in June and three trips in July that will include 35 male inmates.

The prison has listed a trip to SCI Muncy, a prison for women.

The present population includes 131 inmates who are being held for parole or probation violations.