71 Pa. Stat. § 1505
The said commissioners shall have full power, either by themselves or the general agents, at all times to look into and examine the condition of all charitable, reformatory, or correctional institutions within the State, financially and otherwise; to inquire and examine into their methods of instruction, the government and management of their inmates, the official conduct of trustees, directors, and other officers and employés of the same; the condition of the buildings, grounds, and other property connected therewith, and into all other matters pertaining to their usefulness and good management; and for these purposes they shall have free access to the grounds, buildings, and all books and papers relating to said institutions; and all persons now or hereafter connected with the same are hereby directed and required to give such information, and afford such facilities for inspection, as the said commissioners may require; and any neglect or refusal on the part of any officer or person connected with such institution to comply with any of the requirements of this act shall subject the offender to a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00), to be sued for and collected by the general agent in the name of the board. The commissioners shall also have power to employ such experts, clerks, stenographers, and other employés of all kinds as the business of the Board of Public Charities and that of the Committee on Lunacy may require.
Whenever, upon the examination of any jail, prison, penitentiary, or almshouse, any condition shall be found to exist therein which, in the opinion of said commissioners, is unlawful or detrimental to the proper maintenance, discipline, and hygienic condition of such institution, or to the proper care, maintenance, and custody of the inmates therein the said commissioners shall have power to make such recommendation to the warden, inspectors, trustees, sheriff, commissioners, overseers of the poor, or other officer or officers charged by law with the government of such institution, as said commissioners may deem necessary and proper to correct the said objectionable condition; and in case of the neglect, failure, or refusal of such officer or officers to comply with such recommendation, or in case of his or their failure to make such attempt to comply therewith as shall be satisfactory to the said commissioners, within ninety days from the date of service of said recommendation upon them, the said commissioners shall certify the facts in the case, together with their recommendation, to the district attorney of the proper county, whose duty it shall be thereupon to proceed, by indictment or otherwise, to remedy the said objectionable condition.
71 P.S. § 1505