The population of the Monroe County prison is holding steady, Warden Garry Haidle reported last month.

Haidle said the census was 123, the same as May’s census

“The plan is to run another bus again this month to the state prison and that will keep the numbers down,” he said.

“Just scanning quickly, the lowest month last time we read a census that low was in January 2021,” said Monroe County Commissioner John Moyer.

Officials say the transports to doctors and hospitals make up a large part of the problem.

Moyer said the costs are higher though.

“We’re 42% through the year and we’ve used 39% of what was allocated for the entire year. With adjustments to wages, accruals, the wages regular wages are around $3,143,000. That’s about $361,000 higher than they were last year, and overtime with the accruals about $882,000 which is $62,000 higher than last year.”

Some of those increases in both the regular wages and the overtime wages are due to the negotiated contract that was settled in December 2022.

“People are making more money this year than they did in comparable jobs last year and at this time the training is sitting at 90% budget,” Moyer said.

Several months ago the commissioners were approached at a prison board meeting about having a new innovated tool in their de-escalation Tool Box, especially when processing a new inmates.

One manufacturer of the electric glove said it uses 80% less voltage compared to other electrical conducted weapons. The gloves cause discomfort but leave no scars or burns and has been used more than 2,000 times without injury. According to the manufacturer, the device can be used in place of pepper spray and batons.

Using the glove allows the officers to have two hands free and if the offender is unruly the officer can use the glove and subdue the offender and still be able to handcuff the offender.

There was discussion on the need for more interpreters for court cases. Needs are interpreters who speak Spanish, and other languages.