City, County Officials Strike Inmate Housing Deal

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Luzerne County Correctional Facility and the city of Wilkes-Barre have come to an agreement that could help save county taxpayers an estimated $55,000 a month while easing overcrowding at the county jail, according to officials.

The Wilkes-Barre zoning board approved the county’s request to house medium-risk, non-violent offenders at the Reichard Street facility, a facility that typically houses minimum-security offenders.

The overcrowded conditions at the jail have forced the county to house inmates in facilities outside of Luzerne, costing the county $70 a day per inmate, according to jail officials.

There are approximately 60 open beds at Reichard Street, according to officials. The barracks-style housing complex has double beds in each room, and will soon be surrounded by a new 10-foot fence.