County jail to get electric fence
WAYNESBURG – Citing security concerns at Greene County jail after an inmate escape in December, the county’s prison board agreed to install an electric fence and will also ask the state to perform a “vulnerability assessment” on the facility.
The board unanimously approved the bid from The Electric Guard Dog Co. of Columbia, S.C., to install electric wiring at the top of the perimeter fence and would pay $975 per month over the three-year contract.
County commissioners are expected to vote today whether to give final approval to provide funding for the plan.
“We have to do something so it doesn’t happen again,” jail Warden Harry Gillispie said during the prison board’s meeting Wednesday. “This is the most cost-effective way.”
The decision to electrify the fence came after Waylon Hanlan escaped from the jail Dec. 27. State police arrested Hanlan two days later, along with three of his siblings who are accused of aiding him as he eluded authorities. Hanlan, who was serving nine months in jail for a probation violation, is now facing felony charges of escape and conspiracy.
“Yes, I’m embarrassed. There’s been a couple of mistakes on my watch,” Gillispie said, alluding to when two prisoners escaped in June 2013. “I’m trying to prevent that.”
Before voting on electrifying fence, the prison board members first asked whether they should consider a security review to determine other safety measures that are needed. Greene County Sheriff Brian Tennant said National Institute of Corrections, which is within the Department of Justice’s Federal Bureau of Prisons, has provided free assessments to other jails.
“The public’s faith has been shaken in the security of our prison,” Tennant said. “I was just trying to come up with other ways.”
Gillispie was receptive to the idea, but instead suggested they ask the state Department of Corrections to perform a “vulnerability assessment” on security. He said analysis is more in-depth than an annual review the state DOC performs to ensure each jail is in compliance.
“I’m certainly not opposed,” Gillispie said. “If they come in and look at it, they may want to add more staff.”
The review could take months, Gillispie said, and the prison board members said they wanted to take action now to avoid another escape.
“At this point, I think we need to do something now since the inmates know how (Hanlan) got out,” said Archie Trader, a member of the prison board and county commissioner.
The system would send 7,000 volts of electricity through wires located at the top of the fence to deter an inmate from escaping. It would also contain sensors to alert staff when someone makes contact with the wires.
The county will pay $11,700 annually over the three-year contract with Electric Fence. The contract could be ended by either side with a 30-day notice, although there would be an early termination fee. The system would be functioning in four to six weeks, Gillispie said.
The prison board also agreed to have Gillispie request that the state perform its assessment and then present any recommendations at a future meeting. Gillispie said they haven’t had any issues with the annual state compliance checks in recent years.
He added the electrified fence is needed in addition to whatever other security measures are recommended from the study.
“I believe it’s necessary and don’t think the state (DOC) will tell us differently,” he said.