For Immediate Release
Commissioners and Jail Committee Evaluate Jail, Staff, and Policies in Response to Escape. Press Conference to Follow.
Warren, PA: The Warren County Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with the Prison Board, have met and reviewed data associated with the escape of Michael Burham on Thursday, July 6th, and have prepared a statement related to the next steps in addressing jail security, supporting Warren County's Correction Officers, and the review of jail policies and procedures.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are conducting criminal investigations related to the escape, which has slowed our ability to provide information or react to policy and facility concerns. The Commissioners and Prison Board's goal is to support all investigations into the escape and see that they come to a complete conclusion. As the criminal investigation concludes, the Prison Board and Commissioners' immediate focus is their responsibility to the County Jail, its staff, the inmates in their care, and the community's safety. The City of Warren Police are conducting a criminal investigation into the escape but neither they, nor City Administration have any management responsibility to the Warren County Jail.
In the aftermath of the escape on Thursday, the Prison Board and Commissioners have met and reviewed all available information not directly involved with any criminal investigation. That review has led to the order of repairs on the roof of the prison yard, which is a 40' x 40' room with a cage on the top floor of the jail facility. The Commissioners and Prison Board have also ordered the space be augmented with deterrents and safety measures and that the exercise equipment be removed and replaced with equipment that does not provide access to higher positions in the facility.
The Commissioners expect the immediate structural fixes to be completed before the end of the week. Several longer-term upgrades will begin immediately and be completed in the next few weeks.
All policies and procedures related to inmate access and observation are being reviewed, and changes will be made to increase security in that space. It's important to understand that the law has changed in the past five years, and prisoners must have access to yard time and outside exercise. With a facility as small as ours that is close to full, inmates must be taken to the yard in shifts. That happens all day and evening to ensure all inmates have appropriate yard time. Therefore, inmates are legally required to access the yard, and it is crucial for the Prison Board to ensure the facility is secure.
The Prison Board and Commissions will have an ongoing review of the policies, staff, and structures in the Prison and intend to continue releasing information on future changes and improvements.
It's important to know that the Commissioners and Prison Board support the jail staff who did all they could when the alert of Burham’s escape was made. The Prison Staff has worked tirelessly to collaborate with local and regional law enforcement to assist with all investigations, and they are to be commended for their efforts. Although the Commissioners await the outcome of the criminal investigations for any notice of internal staff issues, the board is confident in the administration and workers and their overall commitment to security. Working in the jail is a challenging job. The Commissioners and Prison Board support the Warren County Correction Officers.
In the short term, on the request of the Warren County District Attorney, Rob Greene, the Prison Board and Commissioners will potentially be working with the Pennsylvania State Department of Corrections (PADOC) to thoroughly evaluate the facility and its policies to find weaknesses and recommend improvements. On Wednesday, July 12th, at their regular noon meeting in the Jackson Courtroom at the Warren County Courthouse, the Commissioners will review and vote on a potential contract with PADOC to fully investigate the Warren County Prison. It's important to note that this is an added measure as PADOC inspects the facility annually.
At that meeting, the Commissioners will conduct a brief press conference to discuss the details included in this news release. The Commissioners are not a part of any criminal investigation and have no information on how that is conducted and coordinated.
The Commissioners and Prison Board pray for a quick end to the search for Michael Burham, and the safety of the community, and will continue to move forward with improving security and safety at the Warren County Jail.
The Warren County District Attorney, Rob Greene was not a part of this news release, and does not endorse any of the statements made, being a part of the current investigation into the escape of Michael Burham.
Any questions for the Commissioners Office regarding this news story may be directed to Cecile Stelter, Public Information officer, by email at cstelter@pa.gov.