Three candidates were proposed to fill three correctional officer vacancies at the Schuylkill County prison in action taken by the prison board at its monthly meeting held Wednesday at the courthouse in Pottsville.

The names of Jonathan Pozza and Daniel Allen Fritz, both of Minersville, and Theodore Styka, Mahanoy City, will be presented to the county commissioners at their public meeting next Wednesday for hiring and the salary board to set their salaries. Approval is expected as the commissioners also serve on the prison and salary boards and approved its action.Other businessWarden Eugene Berdanier gave his monthly financial report on the prison operation showing revenue received was $14,618.53, including $3,576 collected from the inmates on work release for room and board, $6,257.13 reimbursed expenditures for inmate phone calls, and $3,385.40 for inmate commissary commission.The expenditures totaled $331,288.34, including $182,147 for salaries, $18,962.25 overtime, $18,962.25 materials and supplies, $10,325.5 clothing and bedding, $6,110.76 groceries, $23,385.32; and the remainder for fuel, sewer, water and maintenance services.Berdanier said the prison education program is to begin May 31.The warden also gave a report on maintenance work on the old prison building, including completion of the tower project, replacing the circulating pump on the hot water heater, overhaul of the huge main gate, continued repairs on the heating boiler, and repairs to the holding cells ventilation. The prison population as of Wednesday was 274, including 47 females.The medical report showed nurses responded to 212 sick calls, 215 were scene by psychologists, 50 visited dentists, and 25 inmates were on suicide watch with any incidents.Eighteen beds were filled in the work release section by inmates employed and the inmates in the work release program completed 21 jobs and spent one day providing services to 100 senior citizens referred by the Office of Senior Services.