By Kyle Wind
The Times-Tribune
SCRANTON, Pa. — Beyond mental health services available through the workers’ compensation process, Lackawanna County has no programs to help correctional officers who experience on-the-job trauma.
The prison board wants that to change.
“I think to say that workers’ compensation is available — that is about the weakest, lamest statement that we can possibly make about this serious issue,” Judge Vito P. Geroulo said at this week’s meeting.
So far this year, the county jail has seen three inmates hang themselves, and county officials worry about the psychological impact that has on correctional officers who find the prisoners.
Warden Robert McMillan reported four out of five other county jails he surveyed have employee assistance programs that offer counselors who visit “when there is an incident.” One of the jails with an assistance program also has a chaplain available to correctional officers. Mr. McMillan would not identify the prisons with which he communicated.
County Commissioner Jim Wansacz said such a counseling service should be available to all county employees.
For example, a road crew worker should have access to the same services if the employee witnesses a colleague struck by a car, he suggested.
The prison board agreed to research the cost of introducing an assistance program.
In response to concerns about morale at the jail, the warden said correctional officers have expressed concerns about issues other than the suicides.
For example, persistent information technology problems, a perceived slow arbitration decision on the expired collective bargaining agreement and a feeling the media report only negative news at the jail frustrates the rank-and-file, Mr. McMillan said.
“Each year, staff members do an angel tree that provides gifts for young children,” he said. “Staff members also donate food supplies to area animal shelters. We have had staff members assist local law enforcement in detaining suspects.”