Residents Blast Chesco Prison Board, Which Approves More Security

WEST CHESTER, PA —Chester County Prison Board approved several security upgrades at the county jail in Pocopson Township at its regular meeting Wednesday, during which residents blasted the board for not preventing the escape of a convicted murderer on Aug. 31.

The board approved purchasing 50 to 75 cameras to place around the prison perimeter, and eight new full-time security camera operators to monitor cameras.

The board also agreed to provide additional security training for correctional officers and improve coordination with Pocopson Township.

The emergency upgrades were approved following the escape of convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante, who was captured Sept. 13 in South Coventry Township.

Acting Warden Howard Holland said that the county had ordered the installation of razor wire on the perimeter of the prison after an escape in May. However, Holland said that the new wire had not been fully installed around the perimeter before Cavalcante escaped.

Design upgrades to exercise yards

The prison board also approved design upgrades to enhance security for exercise yards, awarding that contract for $94,000 contract to TransSystems, LLC, Ebensburg, Cambria County.

Brian Endler, vice president of engineering and an architect at TransSystems, said a temporary system could be installed within six months. A permanent system would cost between $2.5 and $3 million, he estimated.

Funds from the American Rescue Plan could be used to fund the upgrades, officials said.

Residents react

Residents expressed outrage that the prison board waited until a murderer escaped to provide adequate security upgrades at the county prison, which has an average daily population of 613 inmates.

Sheila Lerner, who lives near the prison, said she is livid.

"You have one job which is to ensure the safety of the residents and manage the prison," she said, echoing the sentiments of numerous residents who commented during the meeting. "We can't afford another mistake. I think you are not doing your job."

Linda Moore, a Pocopson Township resident, said the escape is not something that just happened.

"You should have had him under surveillance," she said.

Residents said they would like to see a K9 program reinstated in the county, noting it ended in 1986.

Cavalcante is in the state Correctional Institute at Phoenix, Skippack Township, Montgomery County, where he is serving a life sentence for the April 2021 fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, 33, in front of her young children in Schuylkill Township.

The prison board consists of the county commissioners, district attorney, sheriff, and president judge.