Talk of inmate abuse and violations of civil rights has been circulating in Northumberland County for years. But just as some of these incidents started to pique the concern of government officials or citizens, the situation would be quelled by word of an arrest or discipline imposed on specific inmates or staff.

Blame would rain down on these individuals for any misconduct that possibly could have occurred behind those old stone walls. Yet through it all, lines of communication from within this 132-year-old fortress remained locked down, seemingly protecting administrative operations and procedures from any threat of public scrutiny.

That is why we join others concerned about alleged improprieties and mismanagement in welcoming the public statement issued this week by Northumberland County District Attorney Anthony J. Rosini. The county's chief criminal prosecutor and member of the county's prison board announced that he has contacted the National Institute of Corrections to perform a thorough review of the policies, procedures and operations of the prison, at no charge to the county.

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons. According to its mission statement, the NIC is a "center of correctional learning and experience. We advance and shape effective correctional practice and public policy that respond to the needs of corrections through collaboration and leadership and by providing assistance, information, education and training."

The agency was developed following the infamous September 1971 riot at the Attica Correctional Facility in New York state. In response to public concern and recognizing problems within correctional facilities at the state and local levels, Attorney General John N. Mitchell convened a National Conference on Corrections in Williamsburg, Va., in December 1971. In a keynote address to 450 conference participants, Supreme Court Justice Warren E. Burger expressed support for a national training academy for corrections that would develop knowledge, coordinate research, formulate policy recommendations and provide professional training.

As a result, the NIC was created in 1974, and has received funding through the Federal Bureau of Prisons since 1977.

We agree with Rosini, who said this week, "Only a thorough review of the operation and management of the prison can solve the problems we are facing at the Northumberland County Prison."

We look forward to hearing more about the NIC review and trust that there will be full public disclosure of findings and recommendations.