New Head of Correctional Services for the District of Lucerne Appointed

Acting Lucerne County Manager Brian Swetz appointed James Wilbur as the new head of the department of corrections.

While the District Manager recommends candidates for the eight department head positions under the self-government charter, council approval is required for these hires.

The council’s vote is scheduled for Tuesday’s meeting starting at 6:00 pm at the District Courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre.

According to the note posted with the agenda:

Wilbur has served as a District Correctional Captain since November 2020, overseeing 75 lieutenants, sergeants, corporals, and corrections officers.

The position was an upgrade from his previous lieutenant position, which he began in September 2017.

Wilbur’s last job before joining county government was as corporate chaplain for No Limit Ministries in Wilkes-Barre, which he began in March 2004. consulting and care in the corporate environment for all concerned employees. It states that his client was Mohegan Sun from Pocono’s racing division.

In applying for the position of unit chief, Wilbur said he wants to apply his 12 years of experience as a military police officer in the US Army and more than 21 years of experience in the field of corrections, including in the field of security and treatment.

A 1988 graduate of North Salem High School in Oregon, Wilbur earned a master’s degree in ministry from IMI Bible College and Seminary in California and a doctorate in ministry from Vision University, also in California.

The position was advertised for $83,000 to $87,000 and Svets recommends that Wilbur receive $87,000.

Svets said he would be ready to discuss the hiring process and his recommendations at a meeting on Tuesday.

The previous head of the division, Mark Rocovich, received $87,872 annually.

The position is open because Rocovich retired late last year after nearly 32 years in the county prison system.

Previous County Manager Randy Robertson appointed Jack Robshaw as interim department head in late September when Rocovich went on vacation.

Swetz continued in Robshaw’s role as acting warden of the prison system earlier this year for up to 90 days, but told the board he hopes to recommend someone for a permanent position in the position soon.

The county’s local government charter limits temporary positions of division heads to 90-day appointments during the calendar year, which, based on past practice, meant that Robshaw was eligible for another 90 days in a temporary position in 2023.

Svets said he doesn’t want to keep the position of head of division open for a long period of time if there are strong candidates. Some council members urged the administration to keep several division head positions open prior to Robertson’s arrival so that he could participate in the selection, but critics said this resulted in a lack of leadership that adversely affected those divisions.

Robshaw was promoted to Deputy Warden in February 2022, a position that became vacant when Sam Hyder stepped down as Deputy Warden in November 2021 after almost five years as Deputy Warden.

The county’s prison system remains a top contributor to the county’s budget and surpassed the $30 million mark in 2023.

The county jails are budgeted at $31.46 million, up $1.58 million from last year’s $29.88 million. In terms of revenue, the prison system should bring in about $820,000.

The county’s average daily prison population was 544 last month, including those held at the Water Street Jail in Wilkes-Barre and the nearby Reichard Street Petty Offender Building.

Council members have decided to shelve plans to fund an evaluation of future prison options. Some members have asked the administration to find an outside expert because the prison has an inefficient layout and is in serious need of maintenance. Opportunities included expanding the current prison, taking over a former state correctional facility at an orphanage in Newport Township, building a new prison elsewhere, or partnering with other counties to build a regional prison.

Contact Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or tweet @TLJenLearnAndes.