Families now barred from dropping off clothing to inmates at Bradford County jail

BY JAMES LOEWENSTEIN (STAFF WRITER)
Published: August 14, 2009

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WEST 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.

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14 posted comments

Obviously not everybody read the article carefully. The jail, i.e. the County taxpayers are supplying the inmates with the undergarments(3 t-shirts, 3 underwear, 3 socks, and 3 bras) and sneakers they need. If they want more or different sneakers then they must buy their own off the commissary.Sounds reasonable to me. And if the family doesn't have the money then how are they going out to buy the whites to begin with?? As for it being a way to get more money, well I can tell you that it's not going to the officer's. And as for the officer's checking the incoming stuff and "doing our job", obviously we did otherwise we wouldn't have known stuff was coming in. You have to realize these inmates have 24 hours a day to think about things like this and some of them are career criminals. No matter how pro-active we are they will always think of a new way to get around stuff. Not to mention, this isn't only for the officer and deputys safety but for the inmates AS WELL. Think about that if you have a family member incarcerated. Would you want to see them get hurt?? I doubt it. If you or your family member don't want to wear the orange sneakers supplied by the jail then STAY OUT OF JAIL. Besides, it's not a fashion show you are incarcerated.
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Corrections officer,  11/21/09 7:29
its just a way of geting more money for bradford county jail if it was so bad why dint the guardeslook harder at the clothes coming in to the jail
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a family member,  11/21/09 12:35
DO NOT BREAK THE LAW! Laws are in place for a reason. You break them, you should suffer all consequences. Amen to you Mr. Paine.
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Andy,  11/21/09 12:08
money is tight for alot off people I don't even pay 15.00 for my sneakers,never been there nor my family,I think the staff just needs to look better if things are brought in as bought in the store un open then there isn't anything in there.No I wouldn't want to see anything happen to the correction officers nor the deputy sheriff nor those who happen to be in the court house at that day.The familys didn't put them there and we all pay our taxe.Do your jobs and check better.
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A,  11/21/09 11:53
Bradford County is all about the money always has been always will be,fill the pockets of the County say so's,Work hard lol giving orders,Their jobs go to their heads ....
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been there did it also...,  11/21/09 9:15
Whine, whine, whine! To you family members and former alumni of the jail, why should the jail staff have to work harder because you or loved one knowingly violated society's laws and the rules of the jail. This isn't the Marriott. You don't like it, quite making self serving excuses, serve your time and then don't violate the law.

I'm not interested in hearing your moaning and pity party over this issue. As a taxpayer I'm glad if they DO happen to make some money over it.

As to why it happened, a girlfriend of an inmate was going to smuggle a handcuff key into the jail in a clothing item. The inmate was then going to use the key to unshackle himself and then violently assault a deputy sheriff at the courthouse prior to a hearing to escape. Certainly enough reason to implement this policy. The security of the corrections officers and deputy sheriff's overides any financial inconvenience.

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ThomasPaine,  08/15/09 1:32
WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO MONEY ...HOW ABOUT USE YOUR STAFF TO SEARCH AND THEN HAVE THE INMATES SEND IT THROUGH THE LAUNDRY ...PLEASE STOP MAKING MONEY ON POOR PEOPLE ...
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BEEN THERE DID THAT,  08/14/09 10:57
must be they think everyone is made of money!!! Theres no reason why family members cant take clothing in!!! The jail and the gaurds go through the clothing and besides it has to be in the original packages that the clothing came in. It's just another way to get money.
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a family member,  08/14/09 3:38
Sounds like socilaist behavior to me. People in jail have done something wrong but it does notgive the government ot any agency the right to expliot their family who has to pay for these clothing items. While you can go buy 3 or 4 pair of whte boxers for under $10 in K Mart I wonder how much they will be sold by Keefe. I am sure many taken to that jail are wearing $20 sneakers they bought 6 months ago or longer so $39 to $70 will be out of their range. Another money making deal on the part of Bradford County.
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robin,  08/14/09 11:25
thats not right
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mike,  08/14/09 10:46
"However, a family member can deposit money....."

Ah, now we're getting down to the nitty-gritty in this new scheme.

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Frank Pierce,  08/14/09 10:26
Too bad they didn't tell about the 10% surcharges that they are going to be imposed for the use of this new system. Any one who had or has a family member in the BCCC knows that they have a real rip off racket going on.
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a family member,  08/14/09 9:43
Why is it so hard to search every item dropped off? This is simply extorting money from people, who can in many cases, ill afford it.
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.
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sue,  08/14/09 9:28
Just how much contraband got by the prison system? If so was wasn't the search system changed? Next it sounds like another kick back system to someone! Familes with someone in jail just don't have the spare change to kick out for a 30-70 dollar pair of orange sneakers.
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mike pierce,  08/14/09 7:27