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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 6-P - 6-16-1976 - PRISON BOARDMINUTE B©OK `50� BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WAS'HINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSIONERS Minute No, 6-P Washington, Pa., June 16, 1976 The regular monthly meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held on Wednesday, June 16, 1976 at 11;30 a.m. in the Public Meeting Room with the following members being -present: Judge DiSalle, Judge Bell, Commissi- oner Morgan, Commissioner Gilmore, Controller Mascara, District Attorney Jess Costa and Sheriff Debreczeni (Judge Sweet entered the meeting later). Absent being: Judge Gladden, Judge Simmons and Commissioner Paluso. Also being present: Warden Roupe, Muriel D. Miller of the Pennsylvania Program for Women and Girl Offenders, Bob Robertson of the Observer -Reporter, and Earl Bugaile of WKEG. Chairman Mascara asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. 5-P, each member having received a copy. Moved by Commissioner Gilmore, seconded by Judge DiSalle that Minute No. 5-P be approved. Motion carried by unanimous vote by the Board signifying their approval verbally by stating "Aye". May, 1976. Chairman moved for the approval of prison bills for the month of Moved by Commissioner Gilmore, seconded by Judge DiSalle, that the prison bills be approved. Motion carried by unanimous vote by the Board signifying their approval verbally by stating "Aye". Warden's Report Warden Roupe: In reference to the coveralls we have contacted Harrisburg and they have been ordered on the recommendation of the Board. Florence Ritacco of Purchasing received a letter that they will be shipped. In regards to the suit against Mr. Johns, Captain Witzeling and myself, we won our case through Attorney Gilmore. Mr. Morgan : Is that final? Doesn't that have to be approved by the Judge. Mr. Gilmore: I feel there is little doubt that it will be approved: Warden Roupe: We had one extraordinary occurrence. A man came in from the Hospital running away from the Police from the jail. They placed him in the isolation cell and within ten minutes committed suicide by strangulation Mr. Mascara: This will be discussed under New Business. Committee Reports Chairman : In the absence of Judge Sweet I will make a report on the Warden Search Committee. We have seven applications as of this morning. Judge Sweet has not called a meeting as of yet on that, we are waiting to see how many applicants apply., Unfinished Business : Chairman: On the record room I have talked with Richard Brady and I have spoken to Dushan Nicksick, and apparently the facilities will hold these records and we do have an okay from the Engineer that there is enough stress Q R 15 o iv l®A - Y M 1, N U T E t B E) 11 K BOARD 0-F COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVA-NIA COMMISSIONERS EA factor to hold these records back. Apparently, Mr. paluso told Mr. Brady that we should make sure that the facilitates that we are talking about in the bunk room will be approved by the State in which we have correspondence to that regard. Does anyone want to comment on that? Mr. Debreczini : Is this going to be the entire third floor? Chairman : Yes, it is. We have spoken about the bunk room but we have also had problems with the recreation facilities down there, and we have got to move in that direction. The only problem was that Mr. Paluso thought that we should check to see how much money was involved in renovating the present record room into a bunk room. They need the installation of two commodes with a privacy screen, two shower heads, provisions for a day room and an indoor recreation area. Mr. Gilmore: Has anyone checked to see if there is any LEAA money? Chairman : Why don't we get Mr. Gillespie to check into that. Further discussion was held. Chairman; I think that we have procrastinated long enough. I think that we have done everything that we are requested to do. We have put a lot of time in. I am recommending that this Board go on record right now approving the transfer of those records subject to the approval of the County Commissioners. Moved by Judge DiSalle, seconded by Sheriff Debreczini that we approve the expenditure to fix up the recreation room and transfer of books from the bottom floor of the jail to the third floor above the Sheriff's Office. Chairman - Medical Service Aqreement I do not have the 7greement as they have not been prepared as of yet, but the Hospital is continuing to provide service to the County Jail. I would hope that between now and the next meeting that the Agreements will have been prepared and signed. Sheriff Debreczini: That Agreement is for $300 a month, is that right? Chairman : Yes.$200 is for the Hospital and $100 for the Paramedic. They gave us notice that they were terminating their Agreement on June 3rd, but they are continuing to provide service even though we have not signed the Agreement. Sheriff Debreczini: How often do they come down? Chairman: Every week. Sheriff Debreczini: The reason that I ask the question is if you look at the bills for last month. We are getting to the point that we are spending almost $1300 or $1400 taking prisoners up to the Hospital, plus this $300. We are coming closeto $2000. Also,.look at the income. We have now lost the Westmoreland(bunty at $596.40. This is starting to cost this county money. The reason that I bring this up is that I can say offhand that the last group 1 n 1 �Rlsonl �oA�� MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA xxifix�a£�3tXa� COMMISSIONERS 1 of prisoners that we took up to the Washington Hospital, 3 or 4 of them, just wanted to take that trip and one got away from us. Warden Roupe: We never send them unless authorized by the Doctor. We must comply. Chairman Sheriff, that $300 base payment is for certain payments that they are providing, which we must comply with Title 37 regarding correctional institutions and anything else is extraordinary. New Business: Chairman: You have a report from me regarding an extraordinary'-occur'rende of the suicide of William W. Johnson. Everybody agrees that if someone wants to commit suicide it is very difficult to prevent them from doing so. My t question is this, that when it i> obvious, as the man had already slashed his wrists. He had no business being incarcerated. But the question arises, is that nobody has the authority to have him temporarily committed to a mental institution and I checked with Allegheny County and they have blank court orders for temporary committment where a Judge is not available. Instead of being incarcerated in jail he is taken to a mental institution. Judge Bell: It seems to me when someone has indicated as this man has that he will atempt suicide we should have a man like this watched constantly until you can have him put in the hospital. Warden Roupe: He was in a holding cell. Judge DiSalle: The unfortunate thing there is that the man should never have been put in jail. He should have remained in the 3A unit as he had obvious suicidal tendencies. Judge Sweet: I would think that the Commissioners would be rather reluctant to extend the reach of the Extended Care Facility to become a mental hospital too. The general scheme of goverment in Pennsylvania makes mental health a state rather than a county responsibility. Mr. Morgan : The hesitancy that I have is that the Washington Hospital just built that new psychiatric department and it is available. Tell me Mr. Debreczini if Mental Health Department calls you and says that they have got a problem with a mental patient and for you to please go and pick them up. What is your procedure from then on. Sheriff Debreczini: We are talking about two different mental conditions. Once the Squire has the information that is considered a criminal-:2roceedi-ng-: The 405 and 406 will not suffice in that manner. They will not accept him down at Mayview. Now under the 405-406 we go to the local jurisdiction or the local police and then we are ordered with tke 405-406 to go where' ever it says and then we go through the process and it takes hours and hours of time. With the 405-406 under a normal citizen it wouldn't be the same for one broughtin for criminal prosecution. It is all together different. I think that the thing that we can do here is to have a strict guard on him. pa , s0rV POA P--D ! FZ Y � M I N U T E _.: El a-`0 K BOARD :OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYI VANIA 11�'Y'6IIb�6Lj>'x/X�Lf]��� COMMISSIONERS Judge Sweet I think that the responsibility has to remain with the jail we can not push it on to MH/MR. Chairman: I think that we have an immediate problem because we have had four suicides since January,1974. In regards to their station in life I think that it is incumbent upon us to do everything that we can and if it means around the clock surveillance, I think that should be the case until we can get him into a mental institution. I think that the hospital should be informed that they can contact MH/MR where there is a propensity to commit suicide to have that man put in some institution other then the jail. Chairman: I have correspondence from Richard Boardly which everyone has received a copy. Does anyone want to comment on this? No comment was made. Miscellaneous : Chairman: Ms. Miller would you like to make a comment. Ms. Muriel D. Miller: I sent a booklet to Mr. Gilmore as I was told that you were working on this program for Women and Girl Offenders. When you talk about paramedical, if your expenses are $2000 a month, why cant you just employ a paramedic at the jail and it would be a lot less? Do you have any particular ideas from your reading? Mr. Gilmore: Yes. It is too expensive. This was written primarily for women. 90% of what is in there is just across the board. There are some very good ideas in there, most of which require additional staffing. Our standard is $300 a month, with extraordinary expenses. Ms. Miller: Those are pretty low standards. Chairman The examination is for new people coming in and then we have what 0 we call twice a xeek and then if the paramedic cant handle it then he will call the physican at the hospital and tell him that the patient will be brought into the hospital. That $300 a month only covers examinations and sick call. Mr. Gilmore : What I was going to try and develop was standards on using the isolation cells and what to do with a prisoner who has created a problem. Further discussion was held. There being no further business, Commissioner Morgan moved that the meeting be adjourned; seconded by Judge Bell. Motion carried by unanimous vote case by the Board signifying their approval verbally by stating "Aye". THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED: June 16 ,1976 ATTEST: Malcolm L. Morgan,/ Secretary 1 Fi