HOPEWELL TWP. - Beaver County will pay CiviGenics $14.6 million over the next three years to manage the county jail, and it retains the right to cancel the contract at any time without giving a reason.

"I really do believe it's a very good contract for the county," Commissioners Chairman Dan Donatella said Monday. "Everything we put on the table ... we were able to get in that contract. There's nothing we had to give away."

Union representatives for the jail guards said they could not comment Monday because they had not yet received a copy of the contract, which commissioners signed last week.

The prison board, which includes the commissioners, approved privatizing the jail last Tuesday, and commissioners are expected to ratify the contract with the Massachusetts-based CiviGenics on Thursday.

Although Donatella said CiviGenics can now start interviewing prospective employees, the company won't take over the Hopewell Township jail until contract negotiations with the jail guards' union are settled in arbitration.

Under the three-year contract, the county will pay CiviGenics $4.75 million for the first year, $4.86 million for the second year and $4.98 million in the third year. The charges are based on an average monthly inmate population of 365.

CiviGenics would be responsible for building and grounds maintenance, structural repairs up to $5,000, utility costs, janitorial services, food service and laundry.

Current jail guards have said that private guards make considerably less than the $17.33 per hour the county now pays. Argeropulos said the wage scale would range from $10 per hour for entry-level guards to $14 per hour for guards with seniority.

The benefits package would be a dramatic change for guards, who now pay nothing for health insurance. Argeropulos said company employees generally pay about 30 percent of health-insurance costs.

As for training, which current guards have said would be lacking, Argeropulos said his employees will have to meet the same standards as the current guards.

The county sheriff's office will continue to transport inmates. Also, CiviGenics must immediately notify the sheriff, Warden William Schouppe (who will monitor CiviGenics for the county) and the Hopewell and Aliquippa police if an escape occurs.

CiviGenics also has agreed to comply with the state's Labor Relations Act and not "unlawfully interfere" if employees want to organize a union.

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