The names of four applicants for positions as correctional officers at the Schuylkill County prison were recommended by the prison board to the commissioners to be hired, in action taken at the board's monthly meeting held at the courthouse in Pottsville.

Recommended were Robert Ward, Pottsville; Matthew Lindstrom, Orwigsburg; Brenton Eades, Minersville; and Dennis Ney, Hegins. The commissioners will take action at next Wednesday's public meeting.Warden Eugene Berdanier reported the prison population peaked at 314 inmates including 60 females in September. The current population stands at 282, which includes 247 males and 37 females.The county court has initiated through its adult probation program a new pre-release program in an effort to reduce the overcrowding in the prison. It began last month and during the month nine offenders were placed on the pre-release status saving 92 total jail days at the prison. Approxinmately 276 alcohol tests were administered and five drug tests were taken on new participants on pre-release status.Berdanier's monthly budget reports showed revenue totaling $18,608.81, consisting of $4,476 from the work release program, $5,587.756 from the inmate telephone commission, $5,345.06 from inmate commissary commission, and $3,299 social security reimbursements.The expenditures totaled $352,965.39, including $192,427.81 in salaries and wages; $23,302.86 overtime paid; $33,901.92 for groceries; $65,226 for profesional healthcare provided inmates; and $7,214.06 for maintenances and repairs of the ancient prison.The warden's report also showed four correctional officers were off-duty on extended medical leaves. Also noted was that Deputy Warden Wapinsky completed a mandated Prison Rape Elimination Act policy. Also one inmate has been in the hospital one month which requires security personnel on duty which is additional cost.The board accepted a proposal from Garland Communication Systems Inc., which uses a facial recognition device with many time and attendance features, which will be used at the prison. Berdanier said, "It would greatly improve and enhance how our secretary records and computes our daily staffing and attendance records."The board also approved purchasing a restraining chair to be used on inmates and adopting a policy on its use.Probation Officer Joseph F. Huth, in charge of the work release program, reported 20 beds are occupied by prisoners who hold jobs. They leave the prison in the morning and when their shift is done report back to the prison instead of going home.In September the county collected $4,476 for room and board at the prison and $1,380 towards their court costs. Eleven inmates participated in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program and they completed 21 jobs last month, including spending five days providing service to 100 members to citizens recommended by the Office of Senior Services. They also performed 10 community service jobs and six jobs for the county.