Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 4-P - 4-21-1976 - PRISON BOARDL7 SALARY MINUTE B O O K 497 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Wff "KTW N R"WFVa5MSSIONBRS Minute No. 4-P Washington, Pa., April 21, 1976 The regular monthly meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held on Wednesday, April 21, 1976 at 11:35 a.m., in the Public Meeting Room with the following members being present: Judge Sweet, Judge Gladden, Judge Bell, Commissioner Morgan, Commissioner Paluso, Controller Mascara. (Judq,6 Simmons entered the meeting late.) Judge DiSalle, District Attorney Jess Costa and Sheriff Debreczeni were not present. Also being present: Warden Roupe, Peyton Schur from the Offender Aid and Restoration of the United States, Inc., and Bob Robertson of the Observer -Reporter. Chairman Mascara asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. 3-P, each member having received a copy. Moved by Commissioner Paluso; seconded by Commissioner Morgan that Minute 3-P be approved. Motion carried by unanimous vote by the Board signify- ing their approval verbally by stating "Aye". Warden's Report At the last meeting clothing for the inmates was mentioned. I have checked with the correctional industries and have the following figures. The cost of coveralls is $9.90 a pair; trousers $5-85 and shirts $4.90. The cleaners would charge $1.35 a set to furnish and launder. That means we would have 3 sets: one to wear, one in stock and one being laundered. Mr. Paluso: Could you reduce this in writing? Warden Roupe: I would be glad to. Then Mr. Brady, Mr. Mascara and the Commissioners could make the decision. Chairman: I will get together with the Commissioners, you and Mr. Brady and reduce this in writing and send copies to the Board then we will make a decision_ Warden Roupe: I met with Dr. Schmeeler in regard to medical care and treatment for the inmates in the jail. He came up with the suggestion of 3 male nurses. (There was some lengthy discussion on this.) It was decided that the Warden is to meet With the Doctor again and at that time he would like to have the Chief Clerk with him. Warden Roupe: As of the 5th of April, Westmoreland,County had removed all their inmates from our jail. If they do become overloaded, they would like to bring some back. Chairman: How many did we have? Warden Roupe: We had seven. The matron is leaving the first of the month and I have talked with Mr. Brady, Mr. Fantini and Mr. Morgan about this. I would . like to meet, as soon as possible, with Mr. Brady and Mr. Fantini to discuss the hiring of a new matron. Mr. Morgan: I have talked with Mr. Fantini and he has already interviewed 3 98 SALARY' MINUTE Bo Q K BOARD O.Ft COUNTY COMMISSIONERS jWA�SHI{N.GTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA �'aluSM'ISS[ONERS people for this position. I understand that this is a live -in -job. Warden: Yes, but whoever is hired will have to bring their own furniture becausE the furniture belongs to the matron. Judge Gladden: Rather than have a live -in -matron perhaps these quarters could be used for the record room. This way the recreation yard could be used full time. When interviews are being taken one of the requirements would be that the matron would not have to be live in. Judge Sweet: I have been trying since 1964 to get a Texas bunkroom for out - prisoners in the room that is being used as the record room. I bring it up at least once a year and everyone thinks it is a good idea but nobody is able to cope with the problem of what to do with those records. Retention of those records is obviously thwarting our recreation plan. It is responsible for the difficulty we have with contraband in the jail. Mr. Paluso: We are waiting for the courts to tell us where the space is avail- able. (There was further discussion on this.) Mr. Morgan: Do you need a live -in -matron? Warden: No sir, we are getting away from that. We do need a matron on duty around the clock. (Further discussion on this.) Mr. Morgan. If anyone has any applicants for a single, female with a background on that line let them know that interviews are being taken by Mr. Fantini. Judge Sweet: Mr. Chairman, will you ask if there is unanimous approval of the project of having a bunkroom for the outprisoners and week enders. Every year everybody is agreed to it, but I would like the record to show that that's our policy that we are working toward. Chairman: Certainly, but we have to come up with a place for the records. Warden: The record room would make an ideal place for the work release prisoners, Mr. Mascara: I will get in touch with Mr. Brady, and we will have an engineer stake a study on this. Mr. Paluso: It's not necessary to have Mr. Brady along. Chairman: Okay. Judge Sweet, Judge Gladden and myself will coordinate this. We will do a feasibility study and see whether the floors are strong enough to hold these records. Warden: There was a scuffle in the jail when the Washington Police brought in a prisoner and the paper reported that the jail guards were involved. Judge Sweet was concerned about this. I called the paper and had it corrected because the jail guards were not involved. The new washing machine had been delivered and it will be in operation before the week is over. Mr. Frank Pansino and Mr. Fred DeLong, members of the Board of Visitors, visited the jail on April 7th. 1 11 n n u SALARY MINUTE BOOK 41-P9 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA �Ctl�f�T3�d$XXX�47�E� TK COMMISSIONERS Judge Sweet is on the panel of the Warden's Association that is meeting in Wyomissing at the Reading Motor Inn this weekend. Chairman: We will break off the agenda now because Mr. Schur wants to say some- thing. Mr. Schur: On the subject of the record room, we world be willing to provide manpower through volunteers and staff to help carry out this idea so that the recreation area could be opened up. The OAR project got approval from this Board in November, but has not yet been approved by the Commissioners, for several reasons. Mr. Morgan and Mr. Paluso's main concern is that the County is not to be held responsible financially for the project. They asked us to prepare legal documents. Mr. Conte prepared these to make sure they were correct and would be approved by Mr. Diamond and resubmitted to the Commissioners. Judge Sweet's main objection to the OAR program is that an ex -convict might be appointed program director. I can assure Judge Sweet that an ex -offender will not be appointed and that the decision would be subject to final approval by the court. Chairman: Are there any more questions? Since there are none, in regard to the inspection report made by the Board of Visitors; I just got it the day before yesterday and you may read -it and reserve comments for the next meeting. Judge Gladden: I would like to raise a point of order. I am not suggesting that anyone is out of order, but these people were appointed by the court. These reports are advisory and informational as far as the prison board is concerned. These people are responsible for making a report to the courts. I don't see that this Board has any action to approve or reject. I think it is something that the Board should ultimately take steps to correct. I think the report should be made-- to the courts since they were appointed by us. Chairman: I'll tell Mr. Pansino to give the report to the courts. We are using the Board of Visitors in special instances and refer the matter to the courts. Matter of comments should be referred to the courts. Mr. Morgan: I have one comment. I think it is excellent. It is fine to have someone go through and review the problems in the jail. I also have one further question. Since these reports are to be presented to the courts, how often are these reports made and how often are inspections to be done? Judge Gladden: I understand from reading the statute that they are to make an annual report, but can inspect at any time. Judge Sweet: I had written and told them that in interim report would be nice. Chairman: Are there any other comments in that regard? There being no further comments, we will hear about the Citizens Library Report. Mr. Johns is not here, Does the Warden have anything to report on this? Warden: The grant that we received, with no cost to the County, was for $3,000. They have been mailing in books. 500 SALARY MINUTE -BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS • iWASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA d X� ronF�ssioNeRs a "y /e aC w Chairman: Under new business, I move for approval of prison bills for the month of March, 1976. Moved by Judge Gladden for approval; seconded by Judge Sweet. Motion carried by unanimous vote cast by the Board signifying their approval Verbally by stating" Aye There being no further business, Judge Bell moved that the meeting be adjourned; seconded by Judge Simmons. Motion carried by unanimous vote cast by the Board signifying their approval verbally by stating "Aye". THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED: April 21 ATTEST:'-�-,."- /' Secretary / , 1976 L 7 1