23-05-2025
Cambria County Prison celebrates new era on anniversary
EBENSBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Cambria County Prison ushered in a new era during the 30th anniversary of the facility's groundbreaking.
The Cambria County Prison Board gathered outside the prison walls to commemorate the day that officials began construction on the prison on Manor Dr. Officials said that when the new facility was proposed, former commissioners lost their jobs due to the decision.
'The things that this new jail brings, at the time, weren't seen as a positive thing,' Cambria County Prison Warden Kurt Wolford said. 'But I think it's the best thing, at least in the correctional field, that's happened to Cambria County, was building this prison.'
Since taking over the job in April, Wolford has made changes to prison operations. He gave administrative officers new uniforms, made new officers swearing into their positions put a hand on the Bible and put an emphasis on treatment to help reduce recidivism rates.
'It is a new day,' Wolford added. 'It's the 30-year anniversary of when this prison was built. And to me, it is also a new day at the prison. So today isn't just the anniversary, it marks a new way moving forward.'
Wolford first started working in the prison in 2008 under then-warden John Prebish. Nearly 20 years later, Wolford finds himself in the same position that his late father, William Wolford, had when that groundbreaking ceremony happened three decades ago.
'I never would have thought I would be the warden in this prison,' Wolford said. 'Never. But like I say, to carry on my father's legacy means everything to me.'
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