Carbon County's prison board will have a new leader in 2014.

During the monthly meeting of the prison board, the group voted unanimously to name Carbon County Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard as the president of the prison board for 2014 and 2015.Prior to the vote, current president Robert Crampsie, who also serves as the county controller and secretary to the county retirement board, announced that he was stepping down as the head of the prison board, effective Dec. 31.He thanked the board and prison administration for their support over the last two years.Crampsie added that he will still be an active member of the board; as well as his other duties in the county.Commissioner William O'Gurek, who nominated Gerhard for the post, thanked Crampsie and voiced his confidence in Gerhard's ability to lead the board.Following the vote, Gerhard said that he was eager to begin his new role and thanked his colleagues for believing in him.In other matters, Timothy Fritz, deputy warden, gave an inmate population update.He noted that the prison population has decreased over the last month into the 180s, down from September's high of 215 inmates.