Because of the large overtime cost for correction officers the Schuylkill County Prison Board would like to hire people to serve as part-time correctional officers it was reported at the board meeting yesterday held at the courthouse in Pottsville. But the Teamsters union, which represents the prison employees, has been slow to respond to approve the proposal.

The prison board took action to have the Human Resources and solicitor's office begin negotiations with the union for part time position and wages.Warden Eugene Berdanier reported the overtime pay for the month of August totaled $38,999.18 and that six officers are on extended medical leave and two officers are working on restricted duty status. President Judge William E. Baldwin, who is chairman of the board, commented if the union does not act soon the board will take action to proceed with hiring part time correctional officers.Berdanier reported the expenditures for operation of the prison in August totaled $237,243.80. He also gave a report on the physical condition of the prison and what work was done to maintain it.Problems were dealt with the boiler which supplies domestic hot water because of a defective wire which was corrected. Ceiling tiles were replaced in the main stairway leading to the work release quarters. All kitchen knives have been re-tethered. Water leaks in the women's restroom caused ceiling tile damages. The ice machine in the kitchen broke down and had to be repaired. The security cameras have been installed and will become operational after a fine tuning of the entire system.The prison population as of Wednesday shows 224 males and 34 females for 258 total.PrimeCare Medical Inc., Harrisburg, which has a contract to provide medical and health needs to the inmates, reported last month 164 inmates were seen by a psychologist, 40 went to a dentist, 87 were on sick call and 16 on suicide watch.The board received a memo from PrimeCare stating the county must take immediate steps to prepare for implementation of inmate medical provisions as required under Act 22, of 2011. Final details will be forwarded to the county for procedures to implement the provisions for hospital services for qualified inmates from the county prison and the procedure for processing claims.Twenty-seven inmates are in the work release center who are permitted each day to go to their jobs but instead of going home must return to the prison to serve out their sentence.Also, ten inmates participated in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program and completed 23 jobs and provided services to 100 senior citizens as referred by the Office of Senior Services. There were also13 community service jobs and seven jobs completed for the county. Those on work release last month paid $5,580 for room and board and $2,110 towards their court costs.The GED program provided by the Pottsville Area School District to inmates 21 years of age and younger to help them acquire a high school diploma was suddenly terminated. The warden was notified the classes will no longer be provided. Berdanier said it came suddenly and there was no explanation.