Pelesky named as new warden for Westmoreland County Prison

Westmoreland County has hired a new warden to run the prison.

Steven Pelesky, 49, of Ligonier, was promoted Wednesday to serve as the full-time warden after having serving in the same role in an interim capacity since last September.

“He has done a great job here at the prison for the last six months and with his years of service, he’s proven himself to be the next warden of the Westmoreland County Prison,” said Commissioner Sean Kertes. “He’s done two jobs, his job (as deputy warden for security) and the job of warden, He’s obviously kept the prison running, kept the staff in line and received no complaints at all. He’s done a fantastic job.”

Commissioners said about a dozen applications for the warden’s job were reviewed in the last month but Pelesky was the only candidate interviewed for the position.

The prison board, which includes all three commissioners, Controller Jeffrey Balzer, District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli, Sheriff James Albert and Judge Harry Smail Jr. unanimously voted in favor of Pelesky’s promotion. Smail did not attend the vote, which was the lone item of business Wednesday following resumption of this month’s public meeting that was recessed Monday morning.

Pelesky will earn an annual salary of $80,000 as warden.

Pelesky replaces former Warden Bryan Kline, who resigned in late September after serving less than two years on the job. Kline served more than a decade as Westmoreland County’s elected clerk of courts when he was appointed to the warden’s job in 2021. He earned a doctorate in corrections during his stint as warden and cited a desire to work in research and academia as his reasons for leaving the post.

Pelesky has held just about every position available at the prison during his more than 15 years working there. He started his career as a part time corrections officer in 2008 and was elevated to full-time status in 2010. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2013, lieutenant in 2016 and placed in charge of overseeing staff training a year later. Pelesky was named deputy warden for security in 2022.

“I’m glad I was given the chance to prove myself and get to where I’m at right now. I’ve been a supervisor for 11 years and always wanted to listen to all the problems and talk to staff on a personal level and I think that really helped,” Pelesky said.

Pelesky said staffing levels have improved in recent months and, with the hiring of 15 new guards this week, the facility has just five or six vacancies. The jail has about 135 guards on staff.

“My priority right now is to keep things running smoothly and the take on challenges as the come,” Pelesky said.

Scott Kennedy, president of the United Mine Workers of America Local 522, which represents corrections officers at the jail, said the union supports Pelesky’s hiring.

“We’re pleased that the prison board hired someone with experience and not just a degree. We feel he’s going to be just fine as the new warden,” Kennedy said.

Commissioners praised Pelesky for his work following Kline’s departure, saying he stabilized staffing shortages that caused morale issues among employees.

“Steve Pelesky has done an outstanding job of stabilizing what was really a chaotic situation under the previous warden. He’s earned the trust of the people at the prison as well as ours,” said Commissioner Ted Kopas.

Commissioner Doug Chew, who also serves as chairman of the prison board, said Pelesky’s work as the interim warden led to his promotion.

“He took a firestorm and took it to a calm, manageable situation. He has the respect of the union and the prison board,” Chew said.