LAWRENCE COUNTY Work-release program is back after suspension over drugs

The district attorney wants to know why body cavity searches aren't performed.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County Jail work-release program is back in place after a 48-hour suspension.
Lawrence County District Attorney Matthew Mangino said inmates with jobs were allowed back to work Wednesday. He petitioned the Lawrence County Common Pleas Court to suspend the program after some inmates were found with drugs and one died last Friday of a suspected drug overdose.
Authorities are still waiting for confirmation from toxicology reports. New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone said they were able to interview most of 14 inmates in the work-release program and jail personnel before the program was reopened. Mangino said there had been no arrests as of Thursday afternoon, but Sansone said he hoped to have charges filed in at least one case by today.
Source of trouble
The jail has been a source of trouble in the last month.
The county sheriff depleted his overtime budget in July because there were about 30 inmates transported to the hospital after regular working hours. Some taken to the hospital tested positive for opiates, according to county officials.
The jail medical provider instituted a new set of questions to better screen incoming inmates and to determine if they should go to the hospital before booking. On Monday, a man charged with burglary by the New Castle police was turned away after the screening and placed in the mental health ward of Jameson South.
He escaped Wednesday, holding an elderly couple hostage for about an hour and then crashing their car during a police chase and seriously hurting another driver.
Death
Also, on Aug. 13, George Crepp Jr., 21, of Ellwood City went into cardiac arrest and died. Sansone said they suspect drugs were involved. Shortly after Crepp died, two other inmates were taken to the hospital and one tested positive for opiates.
In March, inmate Kent Rhodes was charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. He is accused of giving another inmate crack cocaine in exchange for a gold necklace.
Another drug matter from July 8 is also being investigated by police.
Lawrence County Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said Thursday he wants to call an emergency meeting of the county prison board to discuss the problems.
Mangino said he intends to find out why jail personnel have not been conducting body cavity searches of inmates.
"It certainly may be a little more time-consuming and a little more involved and maybe there needs to be some special training. Whatever needs to be done should be done. People who leave that facility and come back should not have the opportunity to conceal contraband," Mangino said.
The district attorney noted that public safety should be their number one concern before looking for cost-cutting measurers or ways to free up beds for make money by housing inmates from nearby counties.
cioffi@vindy.com