HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA — The Blair County Prison received its best inspection report in three years, Commissioner John H. Eichelberger Jr. said Tuesday.

A state evaluation report, based on a June inspection, provided no percentage grade as awarded in the last two years. But Eichelberger said he used information in the report to make a comparison to the 92 percent scores the jail achieved in 2004 and 2005.

“We actually had a 96 percent this year,” he said.

The state Department of Corrections annually inspects jails and sent Sandra J. Leonowicz to do the review June 19, 20 and 22.

The jail was described as exceptionally clean, Eichelberger said. It was commended for its staff and having its policies in order.

“The staff down there has done a tremendous job,” Eichelberger said.

The state's report mentions lack of space as an ongoing issue for the jail, especially in the older section. The jail was built in 1868 and remodeled in 1983, 1989 and 2004.

Some of the space-related comments, Eichelberger said, were not in reference to prison population but reflected a comparison of the county's facility to state regulations.

One notation mentioned the prison lacked a sufficient number of showers but Eichelberger said that referred to one specific area of the prison, and additional showers are available.

“Nobody is denied a shower,” he said.

Meanwhile, commissioners agreed Tuesday to pursue a $74,915 state grant designed to generate efficiencies within the county's criminal justice system.

Eichelberger said he has some concerns about how the efforts might affect the prison and costs.

Drug and Alcohol Coordinator Judy Rosser said about $40,000 of the grant would be used to purchase video equipment to do video conferencing before district justices and possibly to conduct arraignments in evening hours.

The remainder of the grant would be used to pay for a consultant who could work within the county's Criminal Justice Advisory Board.

Eichelberger said he worried the grant would cover the cost of video equipment but the county would be confronted with the cost of hiring staff to operate it.

The county might see some savings through the use of the consultant, Eichelberger said.

The county's Criminal Justice Advisory Board, which is pursuing the grant that becomes available in October, was set up about a year ago and involves several participants.

Rosser said the state is looking to the advisory board for ideas and suggestions for improvements and efficiencies.