Board doubts county manager can handle running prison

WILKES-BARRE – Concerned about its pending abolition once home rule takes effect, the Luzerne County prison board on Monday asked its solicitor to investigate whether the county is obligated by law to retain a separate body to oversee prison operations.

Controller Walter Griffith, one of seven members of the board, said he questions whether the county manager, who has not yet been appointed, will be able to oversee operations of the prison with the same diligence that the board has exercised.

“The past two years I’ve sat on this board we’ve done great work to make everyone accountable and to keep the budget down,” Griffith said. “I’m a little concerned about the ability of a county manager to take on the task of running a prison – something that took seven members of this board to do the past two years.”

Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla, who chairs the prison board, and Warden Joseph Piazza, said they’re also concerned that the loss of the board will negatively affect prison operations.

The prison, with a $28 million budget, accounts for roughly 25 percent of the county’s overall spending. That’s a lot for a county manager, who will also oversee numerous other departments, to take on, Piazza said.

The prison board now consists of the controller, district attorney, a county judge, the sheriff and three commissioners. It has operated under that format since 2009

“There are so many issues involved in operating and running a prison,” Piazza said. “Could one person do it? Yeah, but because of the magnitude and amount of money involved, it’s always good to have extra eyes.”

County councilman-elect Rick Morelli said he’s aware of concerns that have been raised regarding oversight of county departments. He said he plans to suggest the county council form subcommittees to assist the county manager in overseeing the departments.

Griffith said he believes an independent board would be best. He asked the prison board’s solicitor, Stephen Menn, to look into whether there is any state statute that requires counties to have a prison board.

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