On release from Westmoreland jail, ex-inmates often hoof it
John Boettger says his automobile shop in South Greensburg has seen a number of unwanted visitors over the past year.
John Boettger says his automobile shop in South Greensburg has seen a number of unwanted visitors over the past year.
Boettger on Monday told members of Westmoreland County’s prison board that released inmates have become a common sight walking along the roadways near his store. He asked officials to find alternatives for the former prisoners who are being let out of the Hempfield facility.
“Several times a month, there are people released from the jail walking down Route 119,” Boettger said. “Sometimes they stop in my business to ask to use the phone. I see men in inappropriate attire for the weather, and it’s dark. I would hope you folks can figure something out.”
The county jail is just off state Route 119 in a campus of county facilities that includes the county-owned nursing home, juvenile detention center, forensic investigation offices and a senior apartment building operated by the county housing authority. All are about a mile from the South Greensburg business district to the north and Youngwood to the south.
The jail in recent months has housed an average of 650 inmates each day. In January, 275 inmates were released, according to Warden Steve Pelesky.
Inmates are released from the jail twice daily, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. No bus service is available near the jail at the time of the early evening release, according to schedules published by the transit authority.
“When we know in advance, we help make arrangements for buses, if possible. We offer free phone calls for them to get a ride and they can wait in our lobby,” Pelesky said, noting there is no set policy or transportation procedures in place for inmates once they are freed. “A lot of them, as soon as they get out, they just run (away).”
When released, inmates are given the clothes they wore when they entered the facility, a situation that could lead to some having to manage winter temperatures with summer attire, Pelesky said. Those inmates have access to clothing left behind by others, according to the warden.
“It just seems to me we have enough brainpower to do something different,” Boettger said.
Prison board members said they will investigate better strategies for inmate releases.
