Letter to the editor: A critical decision on prisoner leg restraints

Voters need to be aware of a serious matter regarding emergency rooms and the need to provide security. There have been three critical incidents this year where an individual from the Allegheny County Jail has attempted to escape and had to be tackled on a hospital floor in the presence of patients, staff and the public.

The attempted escapes occur because jail correctional officers can no longer use leg restraints because of a 2022 referendum. Individuals can just run away, which is what they have been doing.

Our correctional officers’ union is asking that the leg restraints be returned for their use but under certain circumstances. Pregnant females cannot have leg restraints. The jail’s medical staff will make a decision on who will not have leg restraints because of certain medical criteria, and the risk of escape and injury to self or others will be assessed.

The Jail Oversight Board voted to consider sheriffs providing security on these hospital runs. The sheriffs will shackle everyone.

We need to move forward and not delay. Allegheny County Council will have the opportunity to vote on the correctional officers’ initiative, a wise initiative balancing the needs of safety with the physical and mental health needs of our residents.

Cost and the lack of discretion regarding everyone being shackled is something our county decision-makers need to decide. Assuring safety and being humane with efficient use of our tax dollars is what we should all be striving for.

John Kenstowicz

Morningside

The writer is an advocate working to improve living and working conditions in the Allegheny County Jail.