Inmates who commit crimes in prison will be charged

By SCOTT JOHNSON — sjohnson@lockhaven.com
McELHATTAN – Clinton County officials are warning inmates at the prison they will be charged if they commit crimes in the facility.

District Attorney Mike Salisbury reported at Wednesday’s Prison Board meeting that Justin Shady, 24, has been charged with institutional vandalism for unlawfully setting off the sprinkler system in the Wayne Township facility last Halloween.

Shady is incarcerated after being sentenced in early October to six to 24 months in prison for attempting to burglarize a Lock Haven laundromat last June.

Salisbury said yesterday Shady faces a date in Central Court next week for the alleged vandalism.

Warden Tom Duran said the prison’s administration formerly dealt with any wrongdoing in the facility, instead of through the county court system.

“A message needs to be sent that you’re not going to come in here and bust the place up and not pay for it,” Salisbury said. “In January, Tom and I talked and we agreed if the offense fits the elements of a crime, we need to pursue it through the criminal system.”

In other matters, President Judge J. Michael Williamson said the county will likely legally pursue money owed to the county from Mercer County “at the appropriate time.”

Mercer County owes Clinton County nearly $34,000 in unpaid medical bills involving the hanging suicide of Robert Albert Young in August 2005.

Williamson and other members of the Prison Board declined to further discuss the matter because it is a legal issue.

The board also agreed to promote Josh Young from a correctional officer to lieutenant to replace Dan Keen, who is now warden at the Bedford County Correctional Facility.

Duran said Young was recommended over three other officers who applied for the position based on his interview and the recommendation of other lieutenants.

The warden said the position was only posted in-house because the successful applicant had to have experience.

The commissioners were expected to confirm the hiring at today’s commissioners meeting and set Young’s new salary.