Prison Board Weighs Rec Yard Upgrades for Centre County Correctional Facility

This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.

Centre County Correctional Facility Warden Glen Irwin at the recent Prison Board meeting outlined administrative recommendations from the county’s recreation yard study, reaffirming that the jail’s current “urban yard” configuration meets state requirements.

Irwin opened the discussion at the Nov. 13 meeting by citing Pennsylvania law, Title 37, Chapter 95, Section 95.238, which requires that inmates be offered two hours of daily physical exercise, either outdoors or indoors depending on weather. He emphasized that the state Department of Corrections has determined urban recreation yards comply with those standards and are used in more than half of the state’s county facilities.

“Our recreation yards meet the law,” Irwin said. “The Department of Corrections has made it clear that urban yards provide access to fresh air and light that fulfill the requirements.”

The warden said the county’s inmate population has declined steadily from an average of 274 in 2018 to about 180 in 2024, with two housing units currently closed. He attributed the decline to diversionary programs, specialty courts and probation law reforms that have reduced recidivism. Irwin referenced a 2022 state report listed Pennsylvania’s overall recidivism rate at 64.7%, while Centre County’s three-year rate stood at just 20.44%.

“That number may even be a little lower now,” Irwin said. “It’s a testament to our staff and the programs we offer.”

Despite the positive trend, staffing remains a significant hurdle. The facility is currently down 10 full-time correctional officers and has seen roughly 60 staff turnovers in the last 18 months.

“We simply cannot abandon a post to set officers to provide security for traditional recreation areas,” Irwin said. “These actions would have serious consequences for staff and inmates alike.”

The county contracted with Trans Systems to evaluate options for modifying or expanding recreation areas. Irwin said the administration recommends maintaining the current yard configuration but noted two possible upgrades:

• Option 1B, adding screening to the lower portion of existing yards
• Option 1C, adding windows to increase natural light.

Neither would require additional staff. Option 1C, which Irwin endorsed, would cost roughly $300,000 and “keep security concerns in mind while improving access to daylight.”

Other options, such as building small, medium or large outdoor yards, would require six to 15 new full-time officers, costing between $405,000 and $1 million annually depending on design chosen.

Board members, including Commissioner Amber Concepcion, voiced support for considering options that don’t expand operational costs.

“In our current circumstances, where we’re not able to fill the positions we already have, we need to be realistic,” Concepcion said. “Options 1B and 1C improve access to daylight and fresh air without increasing annual expenses.”

Irwin also provided updates on the facility’s $12 million overall budget and its Medication Assisted Treatment program, which received about $365,000 in funding. The MAT program serves inmates struggling with addiction and has shown success in reducing relapses.

“It’s a very valuable program,” Irwin said. “It helps those who truly want to recover from the grips of addiction. It’s not mandated by law yet, but it’s strongly encouraged by the Department of Justice and likely to become required statewide.”

Public commenters urged the board to consider moral and mental health implications of outdoor access. Former inmate and advocate Jenna Henry argued that “legality and morality are not the same thing” and asked for a breakdown of cost estimates. Others suggested creative staffing or design solutions to provide outdoor recreation without compromising safety.

The next Prison Board meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Dec. 11.