The inmate population continues to grow at the Schuylkill County Prison.
According to Warden Eugene Berdanier's monthly report during Wednesday's prison board meeting, the average population for the prison during March was 286, peaking at 289 on March 29. The suggested capacity is 240.
As of Wednesday, Berdanier said the inmate population was at 274.
The prison census has shown a steady increase in population for 2012. The average prison population was 276 in February and 268 in January.
During the prison board meeting last month, President Judge and prison board chairman William E. Baldwin said the prison actually has 277 beds, but said the suggested capacity is lower as there are times prisoners need to be separated due to medical or security issues.
There were no discussions of a low-security prerelease center, which was considered last year, or any other alternatives during the meeting.
Another concern shown by the board during Wednesday's meeting was the amount of overtime for the prison during March. According to Berdanier's report, overtime expenditures for the month were $36,716.79. Berdanier said contributing to the high number of overtime is that March has three pay periods as opposed to two for most months.
Another contributing factor is the four vacant correctional officer positions.
Officer in training Joshua Richmond submitted his resignation, effective April 11, and correctional officer Edward Kanowski submitted his retirement notice, effective Monday. Kanowski has been a correction officer at the prison since Dec. 11, 2000.
Regarding the four vacant positions, Berdanier said 15 candidates are being interviewed. He said the testing process will be finished as soon as possible and he hopes to be able to make hiring recommendations to the board for next month.