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Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 has learned Orlando Harper, the warden of Allegheny County Bureau of Corrections, will retire from his position. Harper has served as warden since October 2012. An interim warden will be named, but the position is not expected to be permanently filled until the election of the next Allegheny County executive. We’re told Harper’s retirement is the result of family health issues. It’s expected to take effect at the end of September. “I have been honored to serve in this role for over a decade and am announcing my retirement with mixed feelings,” said Harper. “When I first accepted this position in 2012, my intent was to remain here through the end of this administration. While that’s just a few months away, circumstances have changed with my family and, because of that, I’ve moved that end date up.” Harper had faced criticism of late over conditions and treatments of inmates at the Allegheny County Jail. Last October, he told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 his staff was working to make sure they addressed each issue raised in a survey conducted last fall. In the survey, inmates were asked about things like food safety, temperature and mental health care.“We provide health care at our jail, and I feel as though we are providing the services that we need for the incarcerated individuals coming into our facilities with all these medical issues,” Harper said at the time.On the tour, jail officials showed the two suicide resistance blankets each inmate receives, along with hygiene kits and clothing. We also saw the process inmates go through after they are arrested. Officials said that includes a health care department where inmates are assessed both physically and mentally.One of the facility’s floors is dedicated to re-entry services, including classrooms for both juveniles and adults. Our crew got to walk through the jail’s kitchen, where meals were being prepared. Harper said they are currently accepting bids for new food service vendors.“We are working diligently to make sure we address each issue that was brought to us from the survey,” Harper said.An interim warden has not yet been announced.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 has learned Orlando Harper, the warden of Allegheny County Bureau of Corrections, will retire from his position.
Harper has served as warden since October 2012. An interim warden will be named, but the position is not expected to be permanently filled until the election of the next Allegheny County executive.
We’re told Harper’s retirement is the result of family health issues. It’s expected to take effect at the end of September.
“I have been honored to serve in this role for over a decade and am announcing my retirement with mixed feelings,” said Harper. “When I first accepted this position in 2012, my intent was to remain here through the end of this administration. While that’s just a few months away, circumstances have changed with my family and, because of that, I’ve moved that end date up.”
Harper had faced criticism of late over conditions and treatments of inmates at the Allegheny County Jail.
Last October, he told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 his staff was working to make sure they addressed each issue raised in a survey conducted last fall. In the survey, inmates were asked about things like food safety, temperature and mental health care.
“We provide health care at our jail, and I feel as though we are providing the services that we need for the incarcerated individuals coming into our facilities with all these medical issues,” Harper said at the time.
On the tour, jail officials showed the two suicide resistance blankets each inmate receives, along with hygiene kits and clothing. We also saw the process inmates go through after they are arrested. Officials said that includes a health care department where inmates are assessed both physically and mentally.
One of the facility’s floors is dedicated to re-entry services, including classrooms for both juveniles and adults. Our crew got to walk through the jail’s kitchen, where meals were being prepared. Harper said they are currently accepting bids for new food service vendors.
“We are working diligently to make sure we address each issue that was brought to us from the survey,” Harper said.
An interim warden has not yet been announced.
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