DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — An open line of transparent communication was established Thursday night between Dauphin County officials and members of the public.
The community took their comments, questions and concerns over the prison directly to county officials.
Deena Jangdhari was at the prison the day before.
"There were just a lot of people that needed to be heard," she said.
Like many others at Thursday’s town hall, she brought up issues ranging from staffing to healthcare and beyond.
"The food is a problem. The care is a problem," she said. "The way that they treat them, in a demoralizing, despicable way that you shouldn't treat any human being, that's a problem."
The panel included the Dauphin County warden, prison board members, county leaders, and District Attorney Fran Chardo.
"Every member is committed to making the prison a safer place and making operations work better," Chardo said. "We're always trying to make improvements."
He also adds that town halls are the best way to collect feedback
"We want to hear from people and get ideas, answer questions," Chardo said. "The prison board meetings, that's not the time to do it, because we're transacting business."
Deena, who goes to the prison board meetings, says the changes the community wants to see can only happen when they make their voices heard.
"I want them to show up," she said. "The only way that we can hold people accountable is by showing up."
The next Dauphin County Prison Board Meeting is Wednesday, April 24. Those interested can find its full schedule for 2024 here.