(a) General rule.--The board's administrative powers and duties shall include the operation and maintenance of the prison and all alternative housing facilities, the oversight of the health and safekeeping of inmates and the confirmation of the chief executive's selection of a warden.
(b) Living conditions.--The board shall ensure that the living conditions within the prison and alternative housing facilities are healthful and otherwise adequate.
(c) Unannounced inspections.--The board shall, at least twice each year, conduct an unannounced inspection of the prison's physical plant. During such inspections, the board shall interview a cross section of inmates, out of the presence of the warden and his agents, to determine the conditions within the prison and alternative housing facilities. After each inspection, the board shall prepare a written report setting forth its findings and determinations which shall be available for public inspection.
(d) Operations to be consistent with law.--The board shall ensure that the prison is being operated in accordance with its regulations and the laws and regulations of this Commonwealth and of the United States.
(e) Investigations.--The board shall investigate allegations of inadequate prison conditions and improper practices occurring within the prison and may make such other investigations or reviews of prison operation and maintenance. The books, papers and records of the prison, including, but not limited to, the papers and records of the warden and those relating to individual inmates, shall at all times be available for inspection by the board.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 17 - County Correctional Institutions
Section 1721 - Scope of subchapter
Section 1723 - County jail oversight board
Section 1724 - Powers and duties
Section 1725 - Rules and regulations
Section 1728 - Contracts and purchases
Section 1733 - Appointment of warden and employees
Section 1734 - Powers of peace officers
Section 1736 - Bonding requirement
Section 1741 - Sixth, seventh and eighth class counties
Section 1742 - Appointment of prison commissioners
Section 1751 - Costs of confinement
Section 1752 - Board of inspectors to regulate salaries of wardens and other staff
Section 1753 - Residence of warden
Section 1754 - Bonds for county prison staff in fourth class counties
Section 1755 - Property exempt from taxation
Section 1756 - Loss of privileges
Section 1757 - Collection from certain inmates
Section 1761 - Establishment by adjoining counties
Section 1762 - Selection of site
Section 1764 - Construction contracts
Section 1767 - Chief administrator and employees
Section 1768 - Rules and regulations
Section 1769 - Initial transfer of inmates
Section 1770 - Employment of inmates
Section 1771 - Cost of transporting inmates
Section 1772 - Financial reporting
Section 1773 - Allocation of expenses to counties
Section 1774 - County appropriations
Section 1775 - Exemption from taxation
Section 1781 - Establishment by counties
Section 1782 - Selection of site
Section 1784 - Construction contracts
Section 1787 - Chief administrator and employees
Section 1788 - Rules and regulations
Section 1789 - Initial transfer of inmates
Section 1790 - Employment of inmates
Section 1791 - Cost of transporting inmates
Section 1792 - Nature of inmate employment
Section 1793 - Sale of goods and materials
Section 1794 - Financial reporting
Section 1795 - Allocation of expenses to counties
Section 1796 - Borrowing authorized