Clearfield County Prison Board gives lock system update, introduces new warden

CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – In early March the Clearfield County Jail got a new warden who is immediately stepping in and making changes to improve the facility.

David Rupprecht Jr. of Brockway was hired in February after previously serving at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center. The county prison board met on March 19 and gave an update about the work release program, a lock system upgrade update, and more that are all to improve the facility.

“Fine-tune policy and procedures, get a good working relationship with the union. Get our staffing plan for correctional officers and get more people trained in different various areas of the jail,” Rupprecht Jr. said.

In January, the jail began the installation of a new lock system to improve security and add a much-needed upgrade.

“We’re just updating, we’re staying congruent with the times. Or it’s an updated system with more security control of our facility,” Rupprecht Jr. said.

The project was supposed to take 6 months but they’re ahead of schedule. At the meeting it was announced that a major part of the project will be complete as early as next week

“They said by next week, sometime they should be done. There are some small projects around like a door, a lock, or whether its an access door or something they are working on but nothing we can’t have inmates in,” Rupprecht Jr. said.

The new warden has already started making changes. Visiting hours will be moved from 6 to 8 p.m. starting April 1st and the work release program will soon have more participation. During the meeting, it was said one individual is participating with four under review at the moment.

Get daily updates on local news, weather and sports by signing up for the WTAJ Newsletter .

Rupprecht Jr is also looking to the future.

“I have staff already here that were good, they took me in and we’re getting all caught up. It’s been a couple of weeks, but things are looking up,” Rupprecht Jr. said.

All changes that he said will benefit the employees and inmates of the facility.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.