Justin Douglas

The temperature was forecasted to rise to almost 90 degrees in Harrisburg. If the power didn't come on, people in DCP could get heat stroke. Justin couldn't wait any longer. He needed to do more than just get updates. So he called Lamont and they drove over to the jail to see what was really going on. To be clear, this wasn't a requirement of Justin as a county commissioner.

The temperature was forecasted to rise to almost 90 degrees in Harrisburg. If the power didn't come on, people in DCP could get heat stroke. Justin couldn't wait any longer. He needed to do more than just get updates. So he called Lamont and they drove over to the jail to see what was really going on. To be clear, this wasn't a requirement of Justin as a county commissioner.

And for Lamont, this had nothing to do with his position on city council. But they saw a situation where people needed help. When they arrived, the backup generator was finally working after almost 24 hours without power. They both breathed a little sigh of relief, but they wanted to see how everyone was doing.

And for Lamont, this had nothing to do with his position on city council. But they saw a situation where people needed help. When they arrived, the backup generator was finally working after almost 24 hours without power. They both breathed a little sigh of relief, but they wanted to see how everyone was doing.

Even though the power was on, the AC hadn't caught up. And the heat wasn't the only problem. Because this was an emergency situation, the COs had been working overtime.

Even though the power was on, the AC hadn't caught up. And the heat wasn't the only problem. Because this was an emergency situation, the COs had been working overtime.

By the time Justin and Lamont arrived, the situation was becoming dangerous.

By the time Justin and Lamont arrived, the situation was becoming dangerous.

The COs ended up moving some of the inmates out of the hottest blocks. relocating them to newer blocks with better ventilation.

The COs ended up moving some of the inmates out of the hottest blocks. relocating them to newer blocks with better ventilation.

Four people were sent to the hospital. Thankfully, no one died. But these were the conditions when a bad situation could spiral into a lethal one. Eventually, the temperature inside the jail started to cool down.

Four people were sent to the hospital. Thankfully, no one died. But these were the conditions when a bad situation could spiral into a lethal one. Eventually, the temperature inside the jail started to cool down.

Justin and Lamont were preparing to leave. They did a final round and talked to a few more inmates and COs. Justin couldn't help but notice that some individuals who he wanted to see just weren't there.

Justin and Lamont were preparing to leave. They did a final round and talked to a few more inmates and COs. Justin couldn't help but notice that some individuals who he wanted to see just weren't there.

Justin and Lamont had been at the jail for eight or nine hours. And in that time, they didn't encounter any senior administrators. While the COs were required to work past the end of their shifts, jail administrators opted to leave. The warden did stay late during the first night the power was out, but he didn't come back until after Justin asked for prison admin to report to DCP.

Justin and Lamont had been at the jail for eight or nine hours. And in that time, they didn't encounter any senior administrators. While the COs were required to work past the end of their shifts, jail administrators opted to leave. The warden did stay late during the first night the power was out, but he didn't come back until after Justin asked for prison admin to report to DCP.

The DCP administration were county employees directly under Justin's oversight. Lamont could tell just how seriously Justin took that responsibility.

The DCP administration were county employees directly under Justin's oversight. Lamont could tell just how seriously Justin took that responsibility.

The next day, Justin drove to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He was going there for a conference with other county commissioners from across the state. The topic, courts and corrections.

The next day, Justin drove to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He was going there for a conference with other county commissioners from across the state. The topic, courts and corrections.