Centre County Prison Board Hears Renewed Call for Outdoor Recreation

This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.

BELLEFONTE — A Centre County resident renewed calls for outdoor recreation at the Centre County Correctional Facility at the September Prison Board meeting, prompting a sometimes tense discussion between the resident, commissioners and prison officials.

Kerry Weissmann told the board incarcerated individuals should have greater access to sunlight and fresh air.

“We have been patient, really patient,” Weissmann said. “And I believe that it’s time for the Prison Board to act.”

She argued outdoor recreation could benefit inmates’ mental health and potentially reduce conflict within the facility. She also encouraged county officials to work with community members who may be willing to help raise money for a project.

“Let’s choose a plan and see what we can do to raise the funds,” she said.

Commissioner Amber Concepcion said she supports improving access to outdoor recreation and noted the county previously completed a feasibility study examining potential options.

“They did show us that there’s some potentially feasible options to improve the circumstances here in terms of access to sunlight and fresh air within the facility,” Concepcion said.

However, she said major capital projects must compete with other county needs during the annual budgeting process.

The discussion became heated after the resident suggested deaths have occurred at the facility on a “regular basis.”

Concepcion disputed that characterization, saying deaths at the facility are “exceedingly rare.”

Former Warden Glenn Irwin, who recently retired from the position, said two people have died at the facility during approximately the past 15 years, one from natural causes and another from self-injurious behavior.

“To say that’s regular is absurd compared to other deaths in other county facilities,” Irwin said.

Commissioner Mark Higgins also pushed back against the resident’s characterization of conditions at the facility.

“Also don’t appreciate you saying lots of people die here because they don’t,” Higgins said. “That’s a lie.”

The meeting also marked Danielle Minarchick’s first regular report after taking over as warden.

Minarchick thanked the board for the opportunity to lead the facility and credited Irwin for his leadership and mentorship during the transition.

“It’s an honor to work beside Deputy Woods, Captain Billett, Director Height, our PrimeCare medical team and all of the exceptional staff that are dedicated here to running a safe and efficient facility,” Minarchick said.

The correctional facility had an average population of 136 during August, including 102 Centre County inmates and 34 inmates from other counties.

Of the 102 Centre County inmates, 25 were sentenced, 71 were unsentenced and six were state sentenced.

Minarchick also reported 37 people participating in the facility’s medication-assisted treatment program. Mental health clinicians saw 207 individuals during August, while psychiatrists and psychologists saw 37.

The Prison Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 8 a.m.