by Nikki Krize (WNEP)
SUNBURY — After the big fire at the prison, county leaders say there is no choice other than to tear down the place.
There were a lot of questions but not many answers Thursday morning at the emergency meeting of the Northumberland County Prison Board but we did find out what the county commissioners hope to do next.
Smoke and flames could be seen for miles away as the Northumberland County Prison caught fire Wednesday afternoon. The smoke and flames lasted well into the evening Wednesday but the fire also rekindled early Thursday.
The 208 prisoners were taken by bus to SCI Muncy and SCI Coal Township.
But the question now is: what is next for the Northumberland County Prison?
“I’ve been preaching for the last two years to build a new prison and I predicted this was going to happen. But no matter what happened, we have to move forward,” said Commissioner Vinny Clausi/(D) Northumberland County.
At the emergency meeting of the prison board, the commissioners said the prison will have to be torn down. The burned out building is now condemned.
Commissioners say right now they are keeping their options open but focusing on two particular options: consolidating with neighboring county prisons, or rebuilding in a different location.
“I think that needs to start with some conversations with some neighboring counties. Some of those reached out for our immediate help yesterday,” said Commissioner Rick Shoch/(R) Northumberland County.
Commissioner Clausi says it would cost around $12,000 to $13,000 per cell to build a new prison.
“I got advised this morning from someone who builds prisons every day. They said a prison with 400 cells it will cost $40 million.”
The inmates will be housed at state prisons at no cost for 28 days but after that the commissioners must decide what to do.
“This is going to be a solution we’re going to live with for a long time so we want to make sure we get it right,” Commissioner Shoch said.
A state police fire marshal says the fire appears to have started in an attic space where no one would have access to. He has not yet determined a cause, and will be back on Friday.
