Mar 20, 2014 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County Prison Board members Wednesday received a statistical overview of the jail’s operations in 2013.

Warden Harry Gillispie produced a comprehensive report showing total jail commitments in 2013 were 873, up from 598 in 2012 and 719 in 2011. The number of males incarcerated in 2013 was 528, up from 470 in 2012 but down from 544 in 2011. The number of females placed in the county lockup jumped from 128 in 2012 to 350 last year. The number in 2011 was 175.

Gillispie said the average daily population in 2013 was 93 inmates, which included 64 from Greene County and 29 from Fayette County.

Perhaps the most telling statistics were the types of crimes that resulted in jail time.

The offense leading last year’s list was parole violations, resulting in 109 people serving time. Those charged with driving under the influence numbered 70, dwarfing those charged with drug violations that totaled 27. That number included 15 for possession with intent to deliver; 11 for possession of drug paraphernalia and one for unlawful manufacture of methamphetamines.

Other crimes that sent people to the county jail last year were contempt (failure to appear, comply), 24; driving under suspension, 29; simple assault, 15; and theft, 18.

Some of the more serious offenses included sexual assaults, 5; burglary, 14; robbery, 5; homicide by vehicle, 1; aggravated assault, 10; resisting arrest, 2; endangering the welfare of a child, 13; terroristic threats, 7; escape, 2; receiving stolen property, 5; prostitution, 3; and accidents involving death or injury, 3.

Gillispie said last year, the jail collected $613,300 from Fayette County for housing its inmates; $20,400 from weekend prisoners; and $12,440 from 17 prisoners serving on work release. The jail turned over $14,164 in fines to the clerk of courts, compared with $15,670 from 27 participants in 2012.

Gillispie said the county jail continues to house inmates from Fayette County (17 as of Wednesday), but the county is owed $22,650 for Fayette inmate costs for February 2014.

Also as of Wednesday, the jail population was 68, and includes 53 males, seven weekend males and eight females.

Presently, seven males are serving on work release status.

In other business, Gillispie said the jail was notified by Taser International to stop using Karbon Arms because of a patent infringement with Taser. He said a court order accompanied the notice and was reviewed by the solicitor. The warden said he has attempted to contact Karbon Arms for a refund of $2,658 for equipment and training but he has not received a response.

On Feb. 24, Gillispie ordered equipment from Taser International at a cost of $4,004. He said Deputy Warden Michael Kraus will attend an instructor class in April and will be able to certify all jail staff in the proper use of Tasers.