HOLLIDAYSBURG — The Blair County Prison is planning to introduce mattresses with built-in pillows for inmates.

Warden Matthew Hale told the prison board Tuesday that he wanted to try the option on an experimental basis in one housing unit.

“We’re one of the last county prisons to be using pillows,” Hale said.

While mattresses with built-in pillows sound less than comfortable, the state Department of Corrections reports ongoing usage at its facilities. The state also praises the built-in pillows for reducing contraband and improving security.

Prison board Chairman Dave Kessling said Tuesday that when he and fellow commissioners toured the now-closed state prison at Rockview on Monday, there were no pillows. But they saw other items, including what was described as hundreds of mattresses, beds, kitchen equipment and locking devices.

A few months ago, commissioners sent a letter to the state DOC about their interest in items that would become available after Rockview closed.

The state prisons are getting “first pick,” Kessling told the county prison board.

But county prisons are expecting to have a chance to acquire equipment or furnishings from Rockview that could be utilized or used for repairs to their prisons. The cost is expected to be minimal or free.

“We came away with some ideas,” Kessling said.

Hale described the idea of trying out mattresses with built-in pillows as experimental. They would replace pillows at risk of inappropriate uses such as hiding contraband and at risk of being destroyed.

“They get flushed down toilets and cause plumbing issues,” Hale explained.

During a review of reports to the prison board, it was noted that the prison is housing about 360 inmates, down from February’s monthly average of 381 inmates and January’s monthly average of 372 inmates. The reports showed 26 inmates awaiting transfer to a state prison that requires the state’s OK on their acceptance.

Deputy Warden Shaun Edmundson reported to the board that trips are scheduled in March and April to move men and women to state prison facilities.

Prison board member and President Judge Wade A. Kagarise also asked during the meeting for information about the number of inmates seeking and being denied work release. While reports showed no current participants in the prison’s work release program, Edmundson said that program remains available.

Kagarise said he had two recent requests for work release but both involved establishments where alcohol is served.

The prison’s practice is to forbid inmates from being placed on work release where alcohol is available.

Hale, who became warden in October, said he would be “open to discussion” on how to mitigate the associated risks.

Kessling, who worked at three county prisons and the state DOC before becoming a commissioner, recommended caution and further discussion about the extent of the consequences for violation of work release rules. He recommended that Hale come up with some recommendations for the board’s review.

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