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HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County commissioners are signing an agreement with the state that will allow the Department of Corrections, if needed, to assist with transporting a lot of county inmates.

Commissioners Chairman Dave Kessling, who presented the agreement at Thursday’s commissioners meeting, said it was offered on an “if needed” basis and would be an option if a need arises. He drew supportive votes from fellow commissioners Amy Webster and Laura Burke.

“We’re trying to be pro-active here and put a plan in place to address the what-ifs,” Kessling said after the meeting.

The county — if and when it opens a new county prison — will face the task of moving 350 to 400 inmates, but that possibility is a few years away.

While commissioners are pursuing a potential site for a prison, Kessling said they’re awaiting environmental information that couldn’t be collected while snow was on the ground.

The Mirror has identified that site as nearly 78 acres south of Duncansville between I-99 and Dunnings Highway. It’s mostly in Blair Township and is currently owned by Lucknow-Highspire Terminals Co.

“They’ve agreed to sell but we don’t have a sales agreement yet,” Kessling said.

As for the agreement with the state for transporting county inmates, Kessling said it’s a way to have a plan in place.

He said buses operated by the state Department of Corrections are capable of safely transporting many more inmates than the county can transport in its vehicles.

The state indicates that DOC buses are equipped with reinforced cages, steel partitions, tamper-proof fasteners and that they’re operated by trained security personnel.

“If we would be forced to close a housing unit at the prison and needed to move inmates,” the commissioner said, “this agreement means we could call up the state and get their help in transporting inmates from one location to another.”

While Blair County hasn’t been ordered to close a housing unit inside its prison, county inmates have been filing civil rights lawsuits in recent months with complaints about poor living conditions. Within those complaints, inmates have repeatedly referred to rodents getting into their food and sleeping areas. They’ve also spoken of mold and inadequate access to toilets and showers.

Their lawsuits have also included complaints about inadequate food portions, poor medical care, overcrowding and assaults.

In other action Thursday, commissioners voted to sign an additional agreement with the state so DOC personnel can provide technical assistance to the county regarding the county prison and operational practices.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.