By David Hurst
The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
The State Correctional Institution -- Somerset’s lockdown is being lifted, a spokesman said.
Four days of organized searches throughout the 10-unit, 2,400-inmate prison did not uncover any signs that the type of contraband found outside the institution early Sunday made its way inside, Public Information Officer Eric Frazier said.
“Other than the typical nuisance-type contraband we always expect to find when a routine search is conducted, we didn’t find anything -- so that’s a good thing,” he said Wednesday.
An investigation into Saturday’s unspecified “significant find” remains ongoing, however, Frazier said. Harrisburg-based Department of Corrections investigators are handling the matter.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no charges had been filed, he said.
Department of Corrections officials have not indicated what was found outside the prison, where it was found, or how they learned about it, saying the details might jeopardize the investigation. But they said the lockdown was launched because it was clear the items were intended to be smuggled into the prison.
The lockdown lift means inmates within the 65-acre, medium-security complex can resume normal institution routines and programs, and can visit guests if they have that privilege.
___
(c)2017 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.)