A new year brought a new chairman of the Lycoming County Prison Board as Sheriff Mark Lusk was elected to that position at the board’s first meeting of the year recently. The position had been held by former county Commissioner Tony Mussare, who had not sought reelection last year.

Other positions filled on the board included: County Commissioner Scott Metzger, vice-chairman and District Attorney Tom Marino, secretary.

The Prison Board is composed of Lycoming County Commissioners Marc Sortman, Mark Mussina and Metzger in addition to Marino, Lusk, Controller Krista Rogers and President Judge Nancy Butts.

In his report to the board, Warden Brad Shoemaker noted that the average daily population at the prison and the pre-release center for December was 215 with a peak population of 224.

There were no overcrowding transfers.

In the bail/release program there were an average of 47.16 clients on supervised bail; 84.48 on intensive supervised bail and 4.03 on supervised release-driving under suspension. The total number of bed days saved wer 4,206 due to the program.

The total yearly population was just over 232, which Shoemaker said, “compared to prior years, that is the lowest year that we’ve seen on average since within this report from 2015 to 2023.”

The board approved the following personnel actions: Alexandra Medford, Christine Wenger, Ty Nicholls, Shawn Meskell and Christopher Heisley, full-time correctional officers-relief; Kaya Mull, part-time corrections officer-relief; Shayla Wyland and Gabriel Campana, full-time resident supervisors; Michelle Probst, full-time resident supervisor/cook; and Tom Tamberelli, part-time driver.

Under informational items, Shoemaker reported that he and Deputy Warden Christopher Ebner had participated in a housing meeting last month at the West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission Office along with representatives of multiple organizations. Members of the Lycoming County Hostage Negotiations Team also participated in a training exercise at the Third Street Plaza.

The next Prison Board meeting will be at 8:30 a.m., Feb. 9 at the Commissioners’ Board Room, 1st floor Executive Plaza, 330 Pine St.