”People should never want to come here,” said Paula Roos of Honesdale, one of a stream of visitors Friday checking out the spanking new Wayne County Correctional Facility. “They need to behave.”
She added she would not want to sleep on one of the beds displayed in the cells.
Others emphasized the modern, state of the art facility the county has come up with after a long and arduous site search and over $16 million. Eston Brooks of Waymart used to be a maintenance worker at the old 1936 prison soon to close. “After working in the old prison this will be a big help. Less maintenance. It was  awful- the old prison.”
Said Bill Pratchler, a World War II vet from Berlin Township, “It’s well organized. It looks like it will do the job. Much more than the old jail- we’re well protected.”
Even a prison was nice to be in, Friday, out of the pouring rain. A ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. was moved into the lobby.
Sarah Tamburelli, a Honesdale High School Junior, offered “The Star Spangled Banner” and Father Edward Finn prayed God’s blessings on the facility and staff, and that those incarcerated would find redemption.
The new prison is about freedom, according to Brian Smith, Chairman of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. In addition to our military, our police and our justice system are fighting for our daily freedom, he told the large gathering. Money was spent on this new prison to assert that freedom, to help make our streets safe for our families.
Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Commissioner Anthony Herzog noted the great pool of talents that came together to make the new prison. Early advocates for the new prison included Father Finn, Sheriff Charles Morelli, former Commissioner Mark Graziadio and Senior Judge Robert Conway. He took special note of the late Reg Wayman, Chief Clerk, who would have been proud of this day, and the exemplary work of current Chief Clerk Vicki Lamberton.
Thanks were also offered by Commissioner Wendell Kay, and included the taxpayers for providing a safe, secure environment dedicated to community safety and hopefully the rehabilitation of offenders.
Warden Craig Chalmers welcomed those assembled.
The 186 bed prison, in Indian Orchard, is expected to begin receiving prisoners in June. Once the current jail next to the Courthouse is emptied, it will be torn down and parking put in its place, Vicki Lamberton said during a tour. Costs of demolition of the old jail were included in the bond issue to construct the new facility. She said hopefully that would be able to be done this year.
Public tours continue today, Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.