Montco to House Lancaster County Prisoners

In a move that could generate up to $600,000 in new revenue per year, the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners has authorized an agreement with Lancaster County to house up to 40 of their minimum-security prisoners.

Though the per-prisoner rate is still being negotiated, Montgomery County Chief Financial Officer Uri Monson said the agreement could bring up to $350,000 in net revenue for the remainder of this year, which would help reduce the county’s remaining $3.1 million operating deficit. Monson added that the $350,000 revenue figure could nearly double over the span of a full year.

“Per-year [revenue] could be not-quite double that, maybe $500,000 or $600,000, but that assumes full usage of those 40 spots on a nightly basis,” said Monson.

The agreement comes on the heels of a similar deal with the Department of Homeland Security, which allows the at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility at a rate of $74.50 per day, per prisoner. While the agreements are similar, taking on the ICE detainees will require additional staff by means of new hires, whereas the Lancaster agreement can be achieved simply through overtime.

Chairman Josh Shapiro was quick to recognize the efforts of fellow commissioner Bruce Castor, who has sought to make good use of the new space at the correctional facility.

“Maybe they’ll name the prison after me,” Castor joked.