About Me

My photo
Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Franklin County Warden Named NorCo Corrections Director

Franklin County Warden Daniel Keen has been named Northampton County's new Director of Corrections. His name was submitted by Executive John Brown to County Council yesterday for confirmation. If five members of Council agree, his starting salary will be $100,237. According to Brown, "The Courts and the Sheriff have vetted Mr. Keen."

As the Warden of Franklin County jail, located in Chambersburg, Keen oversees a 474-bed facility. He has been there since May 2011. He began as a corrections officer in Clinton County in 2000, and since that time, has been employed at five different prison facilities, including a 1 1/2 year stint doing inspections of county jails for the state.

A Lock Haven high school graduate, he has either completed or is still working on a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Bellevue University, which appears to be an accredited online institution.  

He comes highly recommended by wardens at Clinton, Cambria and Pike Counties.

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOL, I knew it, The present Director did not retire. He know he was going to be ousted and to save face he "retired" Couldn't stand the embarassment that he was going to be asked to leave by Brown.

Anonymous said...

He qualified, but that's a big salary. Any word on an HR director?

Anonymous said...

looks like this guy jumps jobs alot....

Anonymous said...

Sounds like he's been around the block. How many facilities in how many years? Can't seem to put down any roots. Waste of money as we have a warden already. Thought the county was looking to save money?

Anonymous said...

This lad will be the director as well as the warden becasue Mr. Brown has no intention of filling the warden spot when Mr. Buskirk retires as a cost saving measure. Brown loves hiring under qualified people, first Allen and now this joker.

Anonymous said...

Five jobs in 14 years? Not good! Let me guess - Brown came up with this guy.

Anonymous said...

Brown would like to have 10 Cathy Allens...

Oh, wait, that wasn't the quote. It was there are people who love the job Cathy Allen is doing. No, that's not quite right. It was some
gobbledeegook that included a reference to her and what a great job she is doing, and didn't describe her "skill set" at all.

Anonymous said...

Brownpants is a disgrace Period

Anonymous said...

Brown gave this guy orders to cut costs at the prison any way possible. His first order of business will be to reorganize the department of corrections, cut a deputy warden or two and reassign the coordinators. Now let me get back to my online courses, i have a ton of studying to do!

Anonymous said...

on its face, not a bad appointment. unfortunately, JB's track record to date invites skepticism

Anonymous said...

Oh yes..Warden is a civil service job..Dir. isn't. Now I get it. Hatchet man arrives

Anonymous said...

The problem with this position is that their is no incentive besides the money since its filled every 4 yrs. Make it career service and you would get better candidates. Not impressed with this selection. Seems like a job bouncer.

Anonymous said...

Given Brown stains history of judging talent I am skeptical. Can we at least get a college education for $100,000?
He does seem to move around alot. Seems like pass the trash.

Anonymous said...

According to Linked In he went to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania 1995-1999. Perhaps he's working on his Masters from Bellevue online?

Anonymous said...

Watch out jail employee's and inmates..here comes the grim reaper!

Anonymous said...

Where Ron Angle feared to tread..JB enters the lions den..sort of.

Anonymous said...

What posts like these reveal about county employees:

1. They view everybody with authority in contempt.
2. They view anybody who's achieved with contempt.
3. They view taxpayers with contempt.
4. They goldbrick on the Internet most of the day and wonder why the public views them with contempt.

The county's most precious asset is clearly underworked and vicious. Try actually performing your job this afternoon. You were given one job ...

Anonymous said...

12:21 let me dissect your post one point at a time:

1. County employees crave and embrace leadership but we crave and embrace good leadership not some political favor or someone who hasn't earned their stripes

2. County employees applaud achievers and love to see people rewarded for their hard work as long as it's reciprocal. Hard working county employees who've achieved great things have been going unnoticed for years.

3. County employees have great respect for taxpayers because we are taxpayers as well. We want the taxpayers money to be spent on the right things and on areas that are needed most. Spending money on consultants and PR firms seems like an injustice to taxpayers.

4. Many prison employees are on a Tuesday and Friday schedule meaning they have off today as I do, other employees have breaks and lunch periods and are using their time to express frustration with this current administration as well as administrations from the past.

Anonymous said...

This guy does not even have a college degree and will be pulling down a 6-figure salary? Another prank pulled by the Clown administration? What are the job specs for this position? Guess education doesn't matter. It didn't in Allen's case.

Anonymous said...

12:52,

Yeah, sure it's your day off. Every day is your day off. How much county time did it take you to create that post? Get back to work and stop stealing from taxpayers.

Anonymous said...

1:37PM your an asshole

Anonymous said...

Not every opposing post here is from county employees. So stop insinuating what is not true. Your opinion worth no more or less than anyone else.

Anonymous said...

Hokie Joe says
Bellevue is a Mental Institution in New York City. When did they start giving diplomas. How many graduating services have they had. Shows you how much I know.

Anonymous said...

It's good to inject some new blood in this very incestuous county. Welcome, Director Keen.

Bernie O'Hare said...

The info I have does not include a college degree.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"1. County employees crave and embrace leadership but we crave and embrace good leadership not some political favor or someone who hasn't earned their stripes"

There is good reason for suspicion Gracedale just hired a Cathy Allen buddy for a supervisory position. HR invalidated all the internal applications, claiming they were incomplete.

Bernie O'Hare said...

My guess is that the comments at 1:37 and 12:21 come from one and the same very bitter beerface who lasted 1 1/2 days as an employee at Gracedale. I refer to Tricia Mezzacappa.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I would like to see a college degree.

Anonymous said...

fyi, almost everyone that works at the prison knew this guy was going to be new directed. he took a tour of the jail with cathy allen a few months ago. i surprised it took this long. i hear he will be making some big moves with admins which in most cases it could be a good thing. i dont trust this guy but hey....maybe he will let the prison be run like a prison again instead of a day care.

Anonymous said...

Privatize the prison and save a mint.

Anonymous said...

LOL Now we know what admin. Has in common they all met in Bellevue explains alot. Some of those who post here could currently be enrolled.

Anonymous said...

Wow I am sure they were totally unqualified. I bet their only qualification was they were doing the job for years. Cant have anyone that actually knows what they they doing. They might question Cathy's directives.

Anonymous said...

Wow how many inmates in Clinton county 2? Must have been a tough job. Wonder how he would have done as a corrrection officer in any other county. Well as warden I guess he just pushed papers so he should be fine.

Anonymous said...

Article quote: "He began as a corrections officer in Clinton County in 2000, and since that time, has been employed at five different prison facilities, including a 1 1/2 year stint doing inspections of county jails for the state."

Ok so he's either an axe-man for hire or he's such a horrible leader that he had to be moved 5 times to avoid public scrutiny?

Which is it?

Anonymous said...

And why should he be paid more than Mr. Matos? Is it his years of education? The former jobs he's held? Doubtful on both counts.

Anonymous said...

To 5:46 pm.....
He's getting paid more than Arnie because he's Caucasian. And, Mr. Matos does not hold a Bachelor's degree either. FYI....

Anonymous said...

Not qualified for job, no degree. Should not be approved by Council.

Bernie O'Hare said...

He might have one. Arnie Matos might not have one, but was getting paid nowhere near where they intend to start this guy. He certainly appears to be qualified on paper. I'd want to know when he toured the jail with Allen, and what promises he made. I'd also want to know whether he played the role of hatchet man at other jails. I'd also want him to know whether, after his tour, he agrees with others that there is a shortage. Finally, I'd like to know his treatment philosophy.

Anonymous said...

"Brown said he hasn't decided whether to end the CEC program, or keep it and save the costs by cutting staff by as many as 10 to 12 correction officers." As per the morning call, as the jail is already about 25 officers down at the moment.

Anonymous said...

BO, the tour of the jail was approximately 2 months ago, during the tour Allen escorted Keen throughout the facility for the most part without escort, to include the control center. He did ask questions of officers that mostly seemed to be in regards to staffing and security. Questions seemed to be leading to using more technology then staff. One most remember though technology is only as good as the lowest bidder, and doesn't help when the crap hits the fan and you need a bit of hands on.

Anonymous said...

What Gracedale supervisory position?

Anonymous said...

11:51'

it's about time

Anonymous said...

12:21,

B I N G O!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

12:52,

well rehearse union gobbliegook.

Anonymous said...

1:37,

don't confuse the union lackey with facts

Anonymous said...

11;08'

Keep cutting and end the worthless CEC program

Anonymous said...

Do you remember what happened last time they filled this position from an outside source? He will do a hatchet job, screw the system up and then leave in 3yrs leaving behind a mess to clean up.

Anonymous said...

RECALL RECALL RECALL !!!

Anonymous said...

Questions need to be answered here and Bernie has the right ones. No rubber stamp please. I would hope council does their homework on this person as the jail Is a critical service area and a mandate. Get it right and it can benefit many people.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"What Gracedale supervisory position?"

The boss of the housekeepers. All thise who applied intenally were told something was wrong with their appolicarion, which gave the county an excuse to go oiutside and hire an Allen pal.

Anonymous said...

Is there any sleazy activity that Allen is above? She is a disgrace.

Anonymous said...

So who did they hire to be head housekeeper?

Bernie O'Hare said...

I do not know the person's name.

Anonymous said...

I have tried to fill out online applications for county employment it was never received at least in one instance when I questioned it it was found in Chinese ? true story! I can't believe how this administration treats the employees and pats themselves on the back ! they are unreal!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Are you serious? You got to be kidding? That is too funny.

Anonymous said...

dead serious Bernie!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Incredible!

Anonymous said...

"Brown said he hasn't decided whether to end the CEC program, or keep it and save the costs by cutting staff by as many as 10 to 12 correction officers." As per the morning call, as the jail is already about 25 officers down at the moment.
11:08 PM

Perhaps this idiot (Brown) should read the Law, which states there is a mandated ratio of staff-to-inmate.

Anonymous said...

I say cut the CEC Program, they lied about their statistics. It's a for profit organization. They are making billions of dollars ... for what? Certainly not to help the addict or criminally minded. It's all going in Clancy's pockets and the rest of the crooked administration.

Anonymous said...

He does not care about the law. He thinks he is above it.