Orlando Harper, currently serving as the Warden of the Allegheny County Jail, has been at the center of several controversies during his tenure, which began on October 15, 2012.

Concerns have been raised over Harper's introduction of new use-of-force training and weapons contracts with the Corrections Special Applications Unit (C-SAU) and Lightfield Less Lethal Research.

Harper defended his administration during a live interview on the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel in July, stating that he maintained an open-door policy and the jail provides sufficient staffing, training, and health care.

Harper faced controversy over his decision to hire contractors for use of force training and weapons for corrections officers, a move opposed by some board members and advocacy groups.

The board's responsibilities also include overseeing the health and safekeeping of its incarcerated residents, and the confirmation of the County Executive's selection of a warden.

In addition to regular meetings, the board receives monthly reports on various aspects of the jail's operations, such as segregated housing, use of force, deaths, grievances, and health care.

[15] Rich Fitzgerald, the Allegheny County Executive who has served from 2012–present, has drawn criticism for his lack of attendance at the Jail Oversight Board meetings, despite it being a legal requirement for his position.

In a separate incident, an inmate was found unresponsive by correctional staff and died days after being booked into the Allegheny County Jail.

The jail was built by the Norcross Brothers between 1884 and 1886 (the year of Richardson's death), and the courthouse was finished in 1888 under the supervision of Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.

(The 1984 film Mrs. Soffel, based on the incident, includes shots of the jail exterior and then-interior scenes, and the production took 3 days to finish and some prisoners were used as extras in the movie.)