EBENSBURG – Illegal immigrants and federal prisoners aren’t just filling cells at the Cambria County Prison. They’re also boosting county coffers as officials look to minimize the impact to taxpayers of operating a prison.
Cambria’s 2008 budget projects revenues at $2.52 million, a level last seen eight years ago.
Warden John Prebish told the county prison board last week that the prison is on target for bringing in that much cash.
But even that amount wouldn’t be enough to offset the $6.5 million cost of operations – a figure that includes neither the debt-service payment nor employee benefits, which could add $2.5 million to the total, said Mike Gelles, Cambria’s finance director.
As of July 31, revenues totaled $1.197 million from housing inmates from other counties, the illegal immigrants and federal prisoners, he said.
Not included in that total are other revenues, including;
– $89,000 from telephone fees on calls made by inmates.
– $44,000 for Cambria’s guards making federal transports and $5,400 for transports to magistrates’ hearings.
– $12,800 from other counties and the federal prison system for their guards to attend the training classes held periodically by prison staff.
“We’re making two trips a week, with one or two vans, to pick up the illegal immigrants in Pittsburgh,” Prebish said. “They stay here for a couple of days to a couple of months until federal Immigration moves them to York for deportation.”
The number of illegal immigrants fluctuates, but Prebish said it has gone as high as 150 after a recent roundup in West Virginia.
Federal authorities pay Cambria $51.53 a day for each inmate housed here.
Counties are charged $45, though that may be increased, he said.
The 60-bed dormitory addition that was opened last summer has made it possible for Cambria to have more open beds.
The construction, funded with $574,000 from unused capital funds, is paying off, President Commissioner P.J. Stevens said, offering additional revenues and tax relief for years to come.
Prebish said as many as 520 prisoners can be housed by setting up temporary beds in the gymnasium. As of mid-week, the census totaled 436. Of the 436, 43 were U.S. Marshal prisoners, and 63 were from the Immigration and Customs Service.
Prebish anticipates that the feds will continue to use Cambria’s prison.
“The need is there for the beds. They’re happy with our facility, and the transports we do make us unique,” he said.
Revenue breakdown
Cambria County Prison revenues are expected to reach $2.52 million this year.
Revenues from housing inmates from other counties, federal prisoners and illegal immigrants, as of July 31:
Butler County: $540
Elk County: 3,240
Federal Bureau of Prisons: 1,648
Huntingdon County: 46,935
Indiana County: 141,390
Immigration: 616,092
Oneida Indian Nation: 5,785
U.S. Marshal Service: 381,373
Total: $1.2 million
Revenues
2000: $2.52 million
2001: $2.42 million
2003: $1.79 million
2004: $1.35 million
2005: $719,000
2006: $698,000
2007: $1.57 million
Local News
Cambria County Prison on track to make $2.52M in revenue
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
