By Marcia Moore
The Daily Item
SUNBURY —
As a class-action lawsuit regarding conditions at Northumberland County Prison heads toward a settlement, Commissioner Vinny Clausi publicly complained about how the litigation is driving up costs.
"We got hit from the civil lawsuit, and we're running a deficit at the prison," said Clausi, a Democrat.
He estimated the county will pay between $800,000 to $1 million for additional medical expenses and attorney fees as a result of the lawsuit.
The Lewisburg Prison Project sued the county, former warden Ralph Reish and the prison board on behalf of 12 current or former inmates, alleging medieval conditions at the jail and practices that violated constitutional rights.
Several issues have been addressed, including improvements in medical services, and it appears the two sides are moving toward a settlement.
But Clausi is upset that it comes at a price and could involve the county paying for the plaintiff's attorney fees.
"We didn't create this mess," he said, placing a large part of the blame on Reish. "I think the Lewisburg Prison Project filed the suit because he wasn't taking care of the prison."
Board Chairman Frank Sawicki added the issue would be addressed.
A few minutes later, the board met in executive session with its attorney to discuss the pending lawsuit. The meeting lasted 20 minutes, and no action was taken.
