A new report from the Pennsylvania Prison Society highlights encouraging signs of progress at the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) under new leadership–alongside continued, serious concerns over conditions of confinement.
In May, the Prison Society conducted its first official walkthrough of the facility since Warden Trevor Wingard took over in early 2025. As Pennsylvania’s independent prison monitor, the Prison Society regularly visits correctional facilities across the Commonwealth to assess conditions and advocate for the health, safety, and dignity of incarcerated people.
The report found that delays in medical care–a longstanding concern at ACJ–have notably declined. In the Society’s November 2024 visit, 88% of residents interviewed said they waited more than a week to receive medical attention. In May, that number dropped to 52%.
“We’re encouraged to see progress at Allegheny County Jail, especially in such a short period of time under new leadership,” said Noah Barth, Prison Monitoring Director at the Pennsylvania Prison Society. “At the same time, it’s clear that serious issues remain, and sustained attention is needed to ensure lasting change.”
Other positive developments include improved access to jail-provided tablets and a redesigned youth unit–with a new unit manager model, expanded recreation time, and a shift in disciplinary practices has led to improved engagement in programming and fewer behavioral incidents, according to both staff and youth.
However, troubling concerns continue to dominate life for many people incarcerated at ACJ. Based on interviews with 70 incarcerated men in three housing units:
- 75% said they don’t get out of their cells every day, with frequent lockdowns fueling frustration.
- 78% said they do not receive enough food, with commissary purchases often the only way to supplement inadequate meals.
- 71% said they are not treated with professionalism or respect by staff, citing abusive language, racial slurs, and instances of physical violence.
One incarcerated person told the Prison Society: “If you ain’t got commissary, you’re going to be hurting in here.”
The complete report, including a summary of findings and the Warden’s response, is available online here.