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Reforms at Lancaster County Prison after suicides

The Lancaster County Prison Board says changes are coming at Lancaster County Prison. This after four inmates tried to commit suicide within a two-week period i...

The Lancaster County Prison Board says changes are coming at Lancaster County Prison.

This after four inmates tried to commit suicide within a two-week period in December and January.

“It’s devastating on many different fashions when individuals make those decisions and you wish you could stop every single one,” said Lancaster County Commissioner, Scott Martin.

But prison officials couldn't stop two of them. 21-year-old Michael Lausell and 23-year-old Zachary Keifer were in the Medical Housing Unit of the prison. Both hanged themselves.

Their deaths led to an investigation, showing some prison staff didn't follow policies and procedures.

"We're going to have disciplinary action against a couple of employees regarding one of the incidents," added Commissioner Martin.

The board released a five point plan in order to prevent similar situations. By law, each inmate is required to have a mattress, bed sheet, pillow, pillow case, towel and blanket. Commissioner Martin wants to work with lawmakers in Harrisburg to change that, by eliminating bed sheets in favor of blankets.

"We want to try to find alternatives like the juvenile justice system has in order to remove these things, not only for suicide purposes but for the sheer fact we have people who like to make rope ladders out of them and things like that," Martin added.

The board will also create a 24/7 direct line where family members can notify prison officials of any red flags.

"You have scenarios where you have a loved one on the inside who is following the rules, not really showing signs or trying to work through the system by telling counselors 'yeah I'm doing great or what not' yet on the phone he's telling a family member that they want to kill themselves," said the commissioner.

Inmates will also be encouraged to call that hotline if they're considering suicide.

"Individuals who may hear anything that even remotely sounds like an inmate hinting at it, we need them to call our facility," said Lancaster County Prison Warden, Paul Smeal.

The line will be set up in the coming days.

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