SUNBURY — Pennsylvania’s first secretary of corrections, who retired and moved to the Central Susquehanna Valley, is volunteering his expertise to Northumberland County officials grappling with the need to reform operations at the county lockup.
Retired corrections administrator Glen Jeffes’ offer of free help was readily accepted by the prison board Wednesday, members said.
“Anybody that wants to offer us help, we’ll take it,” Commissioner Vinny Clausi said.
Jeffes, who moved from Harrisburg to Nottingham Village in Northumberland in August to be near family, said he’d been reading media reports for months about problems at the Sunbury jail.
After dealing with ongoing problems of employee overtime and allegations of sexual misconduct by two corrections officers, the prison board last month invited the National Institute of Corrections to review the jail’s procedures and policies. That’s when Jeffes called District Attorney Anthony Rosini and offered to lend a hand.
“I said if there’s anything I can do to help, I will,” Jeffes said.
Asked about specific issues he thinks need to be addressed or what assistance he’ll provide, Jeffes declined comment other than to say he’s offered to work with the prison board and NIC on issues concerning the jail.
Jeffes has been involved in corrections since 1959, starting his career as a school instructor in a federal penitentiary in Georgia.
He worked at prisons in Iowa and Idaho before moving to Pennsylvania in 1972, when he served as superintendent of the state prison in Dallas for 10 years.
In the early 1980s, Jeffes was tapped by then-Gov. Dick Thornburg to be the state’s first secretary of corrections.
He’s also worked as warden of Lehigh County Prison and most recently taught management courses as an adjunct professor for the state Department of Corrections until the position was eliminated due to budget cuts in December.
Introducing Jeffes to the prison board Wednesday morning, Rosini said, “He’s offered his services to assist us — without charge.”
President Judge Robert B. Sacavage said the offer was “warmly received” by the prison board.
“He’s not in search of a job,” the judge said. “It’s just a pure act of good citizenry.”
Although Jeffes will not be paid, a contract to cover liability will be drawn up before Jeffes inspects the North Second Street facility.
n E-mail comments to mmoore@dailyitem.com
News
Prison expert to help Valley lockup
- News
-
-
Students seek smoke reprieve
Eleven-year-old Brendan Calvert stands far from his bus stop so he can get away from the cigarette smoke.
“I usually stand way back,” he said.
-
2 stabbed, 4 in custody after city melee
SUNBURY — One man was hospitalized with stab wounds, four people were in custody and arrest warrants were issued for two others following a violent confrontation early Monday morning on South 11th Street.
-
Year-long drive nets 30 packages
Primary school students kept soldiers in mind throughout the year with a donation drive that has sent more than 30 packages to local service men and women by the end of the school year.
-
Special 'Fish for Free' day gets bites
MIFFLINBURG — Lee Tyson and his son, Walter, spent a leisurely Memorial Day fishing off the pier at Halfway Lake in the Raymond B. Winter State Park in western Union County.
-
Flood-damaged covered bridge to be repaired
MONTANDON — Only 25 cars a day crossed the Rishel Covered Bridge before raging flood waters from Tropical Storm Lee pushed the 181-year-old span six inches off its foundation in September.
-
Single mom is new millionaire
DANVILLE — A single mother of three and Danville State Hospital employee reportedly learned she’s a $1 million lottery winner while visiting a local store Monday.
-
Storms pound region
A series of thunderstorms prompted flash-flood warnings across the Susquehanna Valley Sunday night.
-
Drizzle doesn't stop Mazeppa parade, service
MAZEPPA — Small-town American spirit was on display in Mazeppa at the community’s annual Memorial Day parade on Sunday.
-
Lions raffling premium tickets
Two lucky people will win Philadelphia Phillies Diamond Club seats for a September game.
-
Dial 211 matches callers, agencies
SELINSGROVE — The Union-Snyder Community Action Agency is preparing to launch Dial 211 in July, but if you call it now, it works.
-
Pastor: Some twist Scriptures for own ends
During the 2012 United Methodist Church General Conference held in Tampa, Fla., earlier this month, church leaders chose to maintain the wording in their Book of Discipline, voting down motions that would have approved same-sex marriages and the ordination of homosexual ministers.
-
Burgers, people sizzle
SUNBURY -- Under clear skies Saturday, the temperature felt like 100 degrees, more like the Fourth of July than the Memorial Day weekend, according to a meteorologist who said the sticky, stifling conditions will persist for several days.
- More News Headlines
-
