|
|
| Penn. County Commissioners Keep Control of Jail |
| By Allentown Morning Call |
| Published: 04/29/2002 |
|
A federal magistrate has refused to take authority for running the Bucks County, Pa., Prison away from the county commissioners, but suggested in an order issued recently that the commissioners voluntarily impanel a board to oversee operations at the troubled maximum-security facility. The refusal by U.S. Magistrate Diane Devlin Welsh to wrest control of the prison away from the commissioners represents one of the few victories the county government has won in a lawsuit filed by female inmates who allege they don't receive the same level of psychiatric treatment available to male prisoners. Establishment of the ''Bucks County Prison Oversight Board'' was recommended in a task force set up to investigate deficiencies in the women's wing at the prison in Doylestown Township. The report of the task force has formed the foundation on which attorneys for the county and the female inmates are working out a settlement. The commissioners have already agreed to carry out the main recommendation of the task force, which is the creation of a separate mental health unit for women inmates. Currently, mentally ill women are housed in the general female population. The two sides have not yet agreed on a plan for the new unit, although the commissioners are exploring the use of the former Neshaminy Manor Home in Doylestown Township as well as other sites. According to Welsh's order, final settlement of the case will not have to include creation of the oversight board. Welsh found that there is no provision in state law that requires the commissioners to create the board and, therefore, they can't be compelled to delegate authority for running the jail to an independent group. The attorney who represents the female inmates, said she is willing to accept Welsh's order, but hopes the commissioners will take the magistrate's advice to create the oversight board on their own. During the past year the prison has been hit with a number of criminal investigations that have resulted in the convictions of inmates as well as others for running a drug ring inside the jail. Four former staff members have been accused of sexually assaulting female prisoners. Two of the former employees have been convicted of sexual assault while the other two face trial later this month. Earlier this year, the commissioners obtained the resignation of longtime Warden J.Allen Nesbitt. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Hiring an attorney can present confusing situations for someone. It’s hard to tell whether you’ll get the best service possible in your situation. You likely have a lot of questions. Will your lawyer hand off your matter to someone else? Will your lawyer return your phone calls? It’s hard to know without someone you can trust. If you been hit by distracted driver in Waco you need a lawyer. People in Central Texas have trusted Dunnam & Dunnam for almost 100 years for their most pressing legal concerns. They understand the value of a good advocate. They’re a family helping Waco families since 1925.