By Marcia Moore
MIDDLEBURG — The position of special assistant to the warden of the Snyder County Jail was revived Thursday by the salary board, which set the annual wage at $35,000 to $40,000.
Majority Commissioners Malcolm Derk and Joe Kantz and Treasurer Gale Jones were in favor of reviving the position and the salary. Minority Commissioner Richard “Bud” Bickhart opposed it as too costly right now.
Kantz is recommending a former work colleague for the job, but said it’s up to Warden Ruth A. Rush to hire the special assistant, who would be in charge of overseeing the work-release program, coordinating inmate programs and reviewing the jail’s policies.
The county is not required by law to post the job since it’s a management position, but when asked, Rush said she would accept applications.
Middleburg resident Irene Harris is skeptical. “Even if they open up the application process, will she consider others when her boss wants his friend for the job?” she asked.
Rush said she and Deputy Warden Don Reade need help to run the 146-bed prison, which as of Tuesday housed 92 inmates and has a staff of 38 full-time corrections officers.
Reade is paid $39,000 a year and is responsible for scheduling, hiring and firing staff and discipline.
Rush, who earns $52,000 a year, served as a special assistant to the warden several years ago before she was promoted to deputy warden and then warden about three years ago.
The job title was set aside about a decade ago when the county filled a second deputy warden position, which was vacated in 2006.
Union County has a warden and deputy warden, along with eight full-time corrections officers, to oversee about 35 inmates.
The Northumberland County Prison, which houses about 200 male and female inmates, usually is run by a warden and deputy warden. The deputy warden position, though, has been vacant since Feb. 4 when John Conrad was suspended, and fired a month later, for unspecified reasons. The position won’t be filled until after new warden Roy Johnson takes over July 13.
Rush said she needs an assistant to help out as the state Department of Corrections is requiring more of prison facilities in the next year, the Snyder County probation department is turning over the inmate-work release program to the county jail and a new inmate orientation program is being developed.
She’d also like to add more programs, such as the recently launched crocheting program provided to women prisoners.
Bickhart said he didn’t oppose the added management position, but said the hire should be deferred until January when the expenditure can be included in the 2010 spending plan. “We’re projecting to be $300,000 over-budget at the prison,” he said, adding that Reade should pick up the additional duties until the county has the money to fund the position.
Kantz and Derk said the budget overruns are due mainly to overtime and medical expenses, and the new position will help alleviate part of the problem. “I do see it as a cost savings and a way to improve public safety,” Kantz said.
Since the probation department is turning over the work-release program to the jail, Kantz said it will allow the county to hold off hiring another probation officer next year.
In other business, the salary board agreed unanimously to extend the wage freeze on all step increases through the end of September. The board enacted the wage freeze in March.
