The three-member panel charged with finding a new prison warden
is slated to make its recommendation today during a special meeting
of the McKean County Prison Board.

That’s the word from Commissioner Chairman John Egbert and
Commissioner Clifford Lane, who heads the search committee. Also on
the panel are current Warden Dennis Luther and Legal Affairs and
Human Resources Director Michele Alfieri.

County officials did not indicate who is in line for the post,
which is being held by Luther until a permanent replacement is
named.

“We expect a new warden to be named at the meeting,” Egbert
said. “We are going to hear the recommendation of the committee
that was selected to do the interviews. After that, it would seem
the selection would follow.”

Egbert said the county received a total of six resumes, and
three individuals were interviewed for the position this month. Of
the three interviewed, Egbert said one is from Bradford, another
from Smethport and the third from “downstate.”

According to Lane, the name of the individual could not be made
public Monday, in part, because the search committee hasn’t talked
to the full prison board yet. The rest of the prison board is
comprised of McKean County President Judge John Cleland,
Commissioner Bruce Burdick, District Attorney John Pavlock,
Controller Tom Ball and Sheriff Brad Mason.

Public Defender Ron Langella, Alfieri, County Administrator
Richard Casey and the warden of the prison serve as advisory
members in a non-voting capacity.

Board members had previously indicated a new warden could be
named by the end of last month; that date was since pushed
back.

Luther, a former warden at the Federal Correctional
Institution-McKean, was named warden by the then-newly created
board in January of 2005, after being widely speculated to be in
line for the job. He took over for former sheriff Donald Morey.

He was also the author of a lengthy study on the jail’s
operations.

As warden, county officials said Luther was making $50,000 a
year and was receiving all county benefits except health care
insurance. There was no word on what the incoming individual would
garner in salary or benefits.

Luther submitted his resignation last fall, saying he had
originally taken on the job on a temporary basis. He also noted he
has no intention of retiring, but would pursue other interests in
consulting and possibly teaching.

The prison also has a deputy warden position, which is held by
Tim Woodruff.

When named, the new warden will face problems with overcrowding
at the prison, which has struggled to meet state standards in
recent years. County officials, however, said improvements have
been made under Luther’s watch.