County Considering Women's Detention Center

The Lancaster County Commissioners are considering building a new women's detention center. The new facility, if built, could serve other surrounding counties including Lebanon, Dauphin and York.

Only under discussion at this time, the Commissioners are exploring this option as one way to alleviate the overpopulation at Lancaster County Prison. Currently, the prison population varies from 1,150 to 1,200 inmates. About 10% are women.

Scott Martin, County Commissioner, said this is an "agenda item" on a joint County Commissioners' meeting to be held later this month. Martin made the announcement during a breakout session at the Lancaster County Crime Summit Thursday afternoon.

"It would most likely be within Lancaster County borders," Martin said.