Two members of the Schuylkill County Prison Board clashed over the issue of a prerelease prison pertaining to alternates before constructing the addition.

The confrontation was between President Judge William E. Baldwin, who chairs the board, and Minority County Commissioners Frank Staudenmeier, a member of the prison board. The exchange took place at the board's monthly meeting at the county prison in Pottsville Wednesday.Baldwin has been a strong advocate for a prerelease center while Staudenmeir, since he has been commissioner, was not enthused over spending millions of dollars for an additional edifice. Strong words were exchanged between the two men and nothing was resolved. No other member of the prison board entered the debate.Staudenmeier, when he was chairman of the board of commissioners, moved cautiously to Baldwin's demand for an addition. A consulting firm was hired which gave its views and named alternates to alleviating the overcrowding with the last result of constructing a building.When Staudenmeier was demoted to a minority commissioner two years ago, Baldwin was able to get his plan for a prerelease center approved by the new majority board of Mantura Gallagher and Frank McAndrew who placed a price tag of not more than $3 million. McAndrew did not attend yesterday's meeting.However, up to now there have been continuous delays. The county is attempting to obtain about four acres of land from the state located next to the state correctional institution in Ryan Township. The state legislature has approved selling the land to the county but approval is still needed from the state senate, although the State Senate Government Committee approved it. At one time the land was offered for $1 but then the state placed a price tag of $48,000 on the property. Then a deal for free steam to be provided fell through.Baldwin criticized Staudenmeier for making public statements about making sure all alternates have been looked at before proceeding with building."There are no alternates left," Baldwin stated, claiming that all alternates have been explored and exhausted.He produced records showing there are between 250 and 300 people who have been placed in the SCRIP, which is a program to treat drug and alcohol addicts."They could be in prison," Baldwin said.He also said 39 other people could be in jail but are under bail supervision by the adult probation department. Another 35 are under house arrest on electronic monitoring and 2,000 other criminals could be in jail but are now on probation."There are no alternatives left," Baldwin argued.Staudenmeier disagreed and said the alternative system has not been exhausted and pointed out the commissioners are currently entering a budget session and this was not the time to be spending three to five million dollars. Baldwin shot back, claiming the cost is unknown until bids are received.Warden Eugene Berdanier, making his report to the board, said as of this date there are 346 inmates in the prison, 303 males and 43 females. The prison was built to hold 200. The warden reported the monthly expenditures totaled $284,893.85, including $159,451.97 for salaries; $25,604.69 in overtime pay as currently seven officers are off duty on extended medical leave and one officer on restricted duty; materials and supplies, $443.23; groceries, $32,343.51; cleaning supplies, $1,263.22; fuel, electric, water and sewer, $7,940.84; professional services, $55,234.63; maintenance and repairs, $1,062.27; maintenance agreements, $1,388; copier lease, $67,88 and other services, $1,103.61.The revenue totaled $11,906.48, which included room board from work release inmates, $5,724; reimbursed expenditures for inmate phone commission, $34,657.53; inmate commissary commission, $1,399.95.Berdanier gave the board a report on work done on the physical plant, repairs to air conditioning unit and laundry room door lock; repairs to conveyor belt for ash removal from the furnace; power washed front entrance; new spot light installed at back gate entrance; serviced front gate and awaiting gas tie in. Work has begun to install a line from the street.All 32 beds in the work release section are filled. Eleven inmates are participating in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Four female inmates participated in work release program.The Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth Program in the county prison provided by the Pottsville Area School District is designed to give all inmates, 21 years old or younger, an opportunity to earn credits toward their high school diploma. Twenty-one have enrolled in the program. The General Education classes have been suspended due to the state budget impasse.