Westmoreland County to boost program to help jail inmates re-enter society

Westmoreland County court officials expected a program launched in early 2020 to assist jail inmates to reintegrate into society to be off and by running now.

After two years of restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, officials are looking to kick-start the effort to help convicted criminals acclimate back into life outside of jail.

“To me there is no downside to this program. We want to help people get off probation and parole,” said Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rita Hathaway. “Ultimately, the goal of this program is to reduce recidivism.”

Instituted two months before the pandemic restricted access to the jail, the county’s reentry program was expected to aid inmates about to leave the jail by providing assistance to help find jobs, coordinating services such as drug and alcohol treatment, helping with referrals to other needed social service programs and giving an outline of how to proceed with probation and parole to lessen the likelihood of a return to confinement.

Officials said the program will give inmates a leg up in re-acclimating to their life once out of jail.

“They have to have a plan, self worth and a job. We want to help them get a job before they get out,” Hathaway said.

The program is open to inmates who have served a 90-day jail sentence or longer and rank as a low or moderate level to reoffend.

Since its inception, just 39 inmates were assessed and 23 inmates were deemed eligible to participate. Only 12 inmates have completed the program successfully and none has reoffended, officials said.

Six inmates were assessed for program eligibility this year and just one agreed to participate.

The county’s reentry program coordinator works out of an office at Westmoreland County jail and is charged with visiting every inmate in their cells to tell them about the program and to gauge their interest in participating.

It’s been a difficult two years, as access to inmates has been limited because of ongoing coronavirus restrictions. But with the latest wave of cases at the jail and in the community waning, officials said it’s time for a push to have more inmates participate.

“We want to see increased numbers in 2022,” said Eric Leydig, director of the county’s adult probation and parole department.

The program is paid for from state grants and operates with community volunteers. A committee, which currently includes nearly 40 members serves as a resource bank for inmates seeking services and to provide direction and other assistance. Additional volunteers are needed to expand the program’s reach, Leydig said.

Bryan Kline was hired as the jail’s warden in early 2021 in part, according to county commissioners who approved the appointment, to strengthen reentry efforts and reduce recidivism rates.

“That’s my vision to be able to give inmates life skills and job skills and a sense of worth so we don’t see them back here. There is definitely a need, and we have a captive audience,” Kline said.