CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Franklin County Jail is no longer simply a place of confinement, but increasingly functions as a mental health and medical care institution for inmates with complex needs, Warden Heather Franzoni told county commissioners Tuesday.
Speaking during a departmental presentation to the county Board of Commissioners, Franzoni said modern corrections has evolved far beyond traditional concepts of security and incarceration.
“Modern jails really aren’t corrections 101 anymore,” Franzoni said. “They’ve completely expanded.”
Franzoni said up to 68 percent of the jail population currently has some form of mental health disorder, while about 63 percent have substance use disorders. Many inmates arrive with multiple diagnoses, chronic illnesses, addiction issues, or significant social service needs.
“We have individuals coming through our doors with mental health disorders, chronic medical conditions, substance abuse, suicide tendencies, individuals that need extensive, comprehensive reentry planning that we have to start the minute they walk in the door,” Franzoni said.
She described correctional officers supervising inmates on suicide watch, transporting inmates to dialysis treatments and specialty medical appointments, managing medication-assisted treatment programs, and coordinating care for inmates with autism, developmental disabilities and severe psychiatric conditions.
“Every cell is different,” Franzoni said. “You could have someone who’s severely suicidal in cell one and in cell two they’re on a CPAP, and they might have cancer.”
Commissioner John Flannery said the public often does not understand the realities correctional staff face.
“It’s like you’re running an institution and not a jail,” Flannery said. “Somebody way above my pay grade needs to decide what we want to be. Do we lack institutions to take care of these people? And that’s why they’re ending up in jail?”
Franzoni agreed broader issues contribute to the challenges facing county jails. “It’s a systemic issue. It’s much bigger than the Franklin County Jail,” Franzoni said. “There’s a system failure.”
Despite those challenges, Franzoni emphasized the jail’s responsibility remains unchanged. “My job is to take care of those individuals, good, bad or different, or their crimes,” she said. “No matter what someone’s there for, holistically, we still have to take care of them.”
Commission Chairman Dean Horst praised Franzoni and jail staff for adapting to those growing responsibilities.
“I think the staff is incredible and what they have to do to keep that place going [continually] is incredible,” Horst said.
County employees raise $750 for chapel, veterans’ memorial
County employees raised $750 during a May dress-down fundraiser benefiting the historic Letterkenny Chapel and the Franklin County Veterans and 9/11 Memorial Park, Carrie Kenney of the county’s human resources department told commissioners.
Kenney said employees purchased 149 dress-down sticker sets across 22 departments. The total exceeded last year’s donation of $715.
“So I am excited about that,” she said. “We sold 149 dress-down sticker sets across 22 departments.”
John Staub, a member of the chapel’s board of directors, thanked county employees for their support and highlighted ongoing preservation efforts.
“It’s so incredibly gratifying to get this kind of response from the Franklin County employees,” Staub said. He said the chapel is one of four chapels built by prisoners of war worldwide and one of only two still standing. Fundraising proceeds help preserve the historic structure and support needed repairs.
“There are some pretty substantial projects that we’re looking at coming up,” Staub said. “You’ll probably see some additional fundraisers in the future for the chapel.”
The group also previewed its Aug. 30 Heroes Car Show, which drew 264 vehicles and an estimated 1,000 visitors last year. Organizers plan to cap participation at 300 vehicles this year because of space limitations.
Election board settles Peters Township tie, certifies primary results
Commissioners also briefly convened as the county election board to resolve a tied race for the Peters Township Republican committeewoman position and certify results from the recent primary election.
Election officials conducted a drawing of lots between Julie Rose and Audrey Miller. Rose won the position after drawing a lower number.
The board then completed certification of the county’s primary election results.
“There are no petitions for recount, so the signing verifies that the return of voters cast as being true and correct,” Susan Motter, director of the county’s Elections and Voter Registration Department, told the board.
Commissioners unanimously approved the final certification before adjourning as the election board. The commissioners later entered executive session and announced no public vote would follow.
