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Families now barred from dropping off clothing to inmates at Bradford County jail
Published: August 14, 2009
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share thisWEST BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP - For security reasons, families will no longer be able to drop off clothing for inmates at the Bradford County Correctional Facility, the warden of the jail said.
The Bradford County Prison Board on Thursday adopted a policy that requires the jail's inmates to instead buy the clothing they want from Keefe Commissary Network of Edison, N.J., which is the company that provides the commissary service at the jail.
The change in policy is aimed at improving security at the jail, because family members could smuggle contraband in the clothing, said the jail's warden, Donald Stewart.
When inmates arrive at the Bradford County Correctional Facility, the jail issues them three sets of socks, T-shirts and underwear, as well as an orange pair of sneakers, Stewart said.
Until now, families have been able to drop off extra socks, T-shirts and underwear for inmates, as well as sneakers, Stewart said.
Starting Sept. 1, families will no longer be allowed to drop off any of those clothing items, including sneakers, he said. Inmates will have to buy the clothing they want, except the clothing issued by the jail, from the commissary service, he said.
However, a family member can deposit money into an inmate's commissary account, which the inmate can use to purchase clothing from Keefe Commissary Network, he said.
Stewart said he has shown the clothing items that are available from the commissary service to the inmates.
"They liked the selection and prices," he said. Sneakers sold by the commissary service, for example, are priced at $30 to $70, he said.
The new policy does not affect the prison jumpsuits, which the inmates are required to wear and which are issued by the jail, the warden said.
James Loewenstein can be reached at (570) 265-1633; or email; jloewenstein@thedailyreview.com.
14 posted comments
I am sure visiting hours are restricted, and packages are checked when brought in. So, if the individuals responsible for this are not doing their jobs, counsel and teach them how to do a complete search, but don't punish families, by insisting on payment for basic items.
Full disclosure I have never been, or had a member of my family be an inmate at the jail. I have never worked for a correctional facility. I am basing my opinion on common sense, and the realization that as a rule, the inmates and their familes are not wealthy.