Judge proposes long-range plan for county jail

Judge John DiSalle has proposed forming a long-range strategic planning committee aimed at the inmate population of Washington County jail.
The judge, who represents Common Pleas Court on the Washington County Prison Board, brought up the subject at a board meeting earlier this month.
DiSalle said his objective is to reduce the jail population, which stood at 382 as of March, to pave the way for inmates’ re-entry to society and reduce recidivism.
Those who have requested to serve on the committee with the judge are Commissioners Larry Maggi and Diana Irey Vaughan, chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the prison board; Commissioner Harlan Shober; Sheriff Sam Romano and District Attorney Gene Vittone, who are also members of the prison board; Warden Edward Strawn; Scott Fergus, county director of administration; Jon Ridge, chief of the adult probation office; and Erich Curnow, Washington County Drug & Alcohol Commission.
“I think it’s a good start,” Maggi said.
DiSalle said he hoped the committee would schedule its first meeting before the end of May.