Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 13-P - 12-19-1973 - PRISON BOARD3t� �R,5, pD SALARY MINUTE ROOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Minute No. 13-P Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pa., December 19, 1973 The Prison Board of the County of Washington met in the Commissioners' Confer- ence Room at 11:00 a, m. , Wednesday, December 19, 1973, with the following members being present: Sheriff Debreczeni; Judge DiSalle; Controller Elish; Commissioner Flynn; Judge Gladden; Commissioner Jones; Commissioner Paluso; and Judge Simmons; Absent being: District Attorney Costa and Judge Sweet. Also present being: Chief Clerk and County Admini- strator Whalen; Warden Roupe; Deputy Warden Johns; and Reporter Robertson of The Observer - Reporter. Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions, or omissions to Minute No. 12-P, dated November 21, 1973, each member of the Board having received a copy. Being none, the minutes will stand approved, as circulated. Prison Bills for the Month of November, 1973: Prison bills for the month of November, 1973, were read by Controller Elish in the amount of $5, 162. 31 (2881 Prison Days); a list of said bills attached hereto and made a part hereof. Income from units for use of the County Prison amounted to $1, 003. 00. ment. Moved by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Elish, that the bills be approved for pay- Motion carried by unanimous vote cast by the Board signifying their approval verbally by stating "Aye. IT Warden's Report: Warden Roupe reported on the status of the salaries of the jail personnel stating that those employees in the union were making more than those people in supervisory positions. A lengthy discussion was held on the matter, and it was stated that the provisions of the union contract must be enforced by management because it is being abused. Chairman Gladden directed Warden Roupe to appear before the Salary Board in January and bring these matters to the Board's attention. Old Business: Report of Special Committee of Prison Board Appointed To Investigate Jail Breaks of May 24, 1972, June 23, 1973, and July 7, 1973 Judge Gladden stated that it would seem to him that the chief recommendations of the Special Investigation Committee as a result of their investigation would be as follows: 1st Jail Break: a. A guard to be present in the classroom during the school session. b. Guards and matrons be given training on a procedure to follow during an escape or unusual occurrence. 1 c. There be a log book to record unusual occurrences on each post. Aql,"5010 AngejSALARY MINUTE B❑OK 371 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS 2 nd Jail Break: a. There be a key security key. 3rd Jail Break: a. There be a periodic bar inspection Judge Gladden also stated that it seemed to him that the Committee generally recom- ed the following: a. The driveway from Beau Street to Cherry Way be closed. b. There be some kind of inspection recording device. c. There be an electrical locking device at least on some of the cells. Judge Gladden further stated that in addition, the Committee recommended that the Board follow very closely the recommendations of the Federal Inspectors. Generally, those ecommendations are as follows: a. There be a depository for weapons in the hallway between the main entrance door and the entrance of the rotunda. b. Close off the passageway between the Sheriff's Office and the Jail. (This passageway might accommodate a lavatory for the matron, ) c. The safe be placed in the Warden's Office instead of the rotunda. d. Bars be installed inside the air ducts. e. Therelie electronic cell locking devices. f. There be a knife cabinet. g. Contact local power company to get a survey on necessary external lighting. h. Fencing of the recreation yard. i. There be an emergency communication system set up with Bell Telephone Company for alerting various personnel in the event of an unusual occurrence. j. There be a Tel -Key cabinet. (Set of keys in the Sheriff's Office being an exact duplicate of the keys for the entire Prison area) k. There be a daily log and round sheets made out. Judge Gladden reported that he and Mr. Roupe met with a security expert who made survey of the prison in which he estimated that an electronic locking device for the entire jail ould cost about a quarter of a million dollars; in terms of one range, the cost would amount to 1, 800 per cell. Judge DiSalle stated that concerning the adoption of the recommendations made by the ittee, the Board's first obligation should be to the public. Warden Roupe reported that the following have been complied with: a. There is a guard in the classrooms. b. There is a log book. c. The markings on the cell doors 372 ,dR 1 so to 8,1A/ZDSALA'RY MINUTE -BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS d. Each air duct has dampers (except for the female first floor) e. There would be no problem in moving the safe. f. There are hourly check sheets g. There is a knife cabinet lock and an extra key control cabinet lock. Mr. Paluso stated that he thinks there should be some kind of definite visiting hours at the prison, additional yard lighting , the gate should be closed, a better system for check -in time for the weekend prisoners, and the rotunda area to be screened. ments. Discussion was then held on how the Board may acquire funding for these improve Moved by Judge Simmons, seconded by Mr. Jones, that the Prison Board adopt the report and recommendations of the Special Committee; and in turn, recommend to the Boar of County Commissioners to implement said recommendations. Motion carried by unanimous vote cast by the Board signifying their approval verbally by stating "Aye. it Meeting adjourned. THE FOREGOING MINUTE READ AND APPROVED: ATTEST: December 19 , 1973 SECRETARY