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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - PB 3-15-17 - 3-15-2017 - PRISON BOARD131 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA [MR LIMITED E1316649LD Minute No. PB 3-15-17 Washington, Pennsylvania, March 15, 2017 The meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held in the Washington County Correctional Facility, 100 West Cherry Avenue, Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following members being present: Commissioners Larry Maggi; Diana Irey Vaughan; and Harlan G. Shober, Jr.; Controller Michael Namie; Sheriff Samuel Romano; District Attorney Eugene Vittone; and Judge John DiSalle. Also present were: Representative Brandon Neuman; Warden Ed Strawn; Deputy Warden Donald Waugh; Solicitor J. Lynn DeHaven; Director of Administration Scott Fergus; Finance Director Joshua J. Hatfield; Deputy Controller Cathy Sams; Human Resources Director Kathleen Bali; Chief Clerk Cindy Griffin; Administrative Assistant Joyce Thornburg; Crime Victims Director Judy Nemeth; Executive Secretaries Joy Orndoff, Marie Trossman and Randi Marodi; Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission Representative Erich Curnow; and WJPA representative Jim Jefferson. Mr. Maggi called the meeting to order at approximately 11:33 a.m. Mr. Maggi asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. PB 2-15-17, dated February 15, 2017, each member having received a copy. It was moved by Mrs. Vaughan and seconded by Mr. Namie that Minute No. PB 2-15-17, be approved. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating „Aye„ Mr. Maggi welcomed Representative Brandon Neuman. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. WARDEN'S REPORT Warden Strawn presented the following information to the Board: Income from other units for the maintenance of prisoners for February 2017 Administrative Fee $3,129.28 Social Security $1,400.00 Tylenol $300.00 Monthly sub -total $4,829.28 Year-to-date grand total $6,754.25 Proaram Fees and Room and Board Income for February 2017 Billed Collected Work release $5,655.00 $5,645.00 Weekenders $501.00 $501.00 Turned over to Clerk of Courts (minus) -0- -0- Adjustments made to billings (minus) -0- -0- Monthly sub -total $6,156.00 $6,146.00 Year-to-date grand total $14,089.00 $13,769.00 Status of prisoners confined at the end of February 2017 Males Females Total Full time 66 22 88 Work release 23 2 25 Weekend prisoners 2 1 3 Unsentenced prisoners awaiting sentencing and/or trial 266 48 314 Total prisoners 357 73 430 Males Females Total Examinations performed by the physician 43 33 76 New commitments 7 Repeat patients 69 Medical transports performed by the Sheriff 21 Contracted Housing Fee/Month $0.00 Year-to-date grand total $0.00 Warden Strawn recommended to the Board, on behalf of the Washington County Correctional Facility and Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc., to approve the advertising 132 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA IMR LIMITED E1316649LD for RFQs for the administration of a comprehensive, medically assisted opioid treatment program, Vivitrol program, for incarcerated inmates at the jail. This program will be 100% State funded. [This is contingent upon approval at the Board of Commissioners' meeting to be held on March 16, 2017, Minute No. 1034.] Warden Strawn recommended to the Board to extend the bid for law enforcement uniforms for the correctional facility to Trapuzzano's Uniforms, Washington Pa. This contract extension will be effective May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2018, and is in accordance with the original proposal documents. The total yearly cost is approximately $55,000. [This is contingent upon approval at the Board of Commissioners' meeting to be held on March 16, 2017, Minute No. 1034.] Warden Strawn recommended to the Board to approve to hire the following as part-time correctional officers and as a part-time licensed practical nurse: Part-time correctional officers Jeffrey Calcote Kenneth Bright David Reynolds Devin Davis Adolphus Tarley Gretchen Cummings Jon Tustin Anthony Patterson Tyler Sabatula Thomas Giles Part-time licenses practical nurse Terry Brogley Mr. Shober asked if the figure of $55,000 was for uniforms was for both the jail and emergency management. Warden Strawn stated this figure was just for the jail's uniforms. Mr. Hatfield stated that this figure is always an estimate because there is a set price per each piece of clothing. Mr. Vittone stated that Representative Brandon Neuman was instrumental in securing the grant from PCCD, where he serves on the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. Mr. Neuman sought approval in February from the committee and PCCD approved. Mr. Vittone and Representative Neuman both agreed that this was a very competitive process. Mr. Vittone stated that he appreciated the support of the Warden in getting this done. It was moved by Mrs. Vaughan and seconded by Mr. Vittone, approving the Wardens Report. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". BILLS Mr. Namie presented to the Board for their consideration and approval the bills dated March 15, 2017, in the amount of $162,831.32. It was moved by Mr. Namie and seconded by Mr. Shober, approving the bills dated March 15, 2017. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". (See list of bills attached hereto and made a part hereof.) OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. Mr. Maggie called an executive session at approximately 11:38 a.m. to discuss litigation. Judge DiSalle entered the meeting at 11:44 a.m. Mr. Maggi reconvened the meeting at approximately 11:45 a.m. following the executive session. Mr. Shober asked the Warden if he has checked with other counties regarding their Vivitrol programs. Warden Strawn stated he has checked with two counties in other states, Barnstable County, Massachusetts and Kenton County, Kentucky. These two counties have corresponded with Warden Strawn sharing their successes, their mistakes, etc. Everything is evidence based and will be directed towards the needs of the county. Warden Strawn noted this is not a cure-all but the only tool currently available. 1 Ll 1 133 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA [MR LIMITED E131664911) Mr. Romano asked the Warden to explain to the Board what Vivitrol is. Warden Strawn responded that Vivitrol is non -addictive, seldom has any reaction on patients, and it curbs the craving of the drug. Warden Strawn stated that he was unsure of this in the beginning stages until he ran into a former inmate and addict who told Warden Strawn that he is working, that he has his license back, and that the craving is not there all because of Vivitrol. He mentioned he stays away from certain people, however, he runs into them at funerals. Warden Strawn explained that when inmates with an addiction enter the facility, they are already at the bottom. The jail feeds them, gets them healthy again, releases them with that craving, and a few days later they end up dead. Warden Strawn stated that evidence now proves that starting Vivitrol treatment upon admission into the facility, along with providing education to an inmate may have an effective outcome. Mr. Vittone stated that he appreciates the Warden's work on this program. He further stated that the public needs to know that we are doing this and that the drug court was recently accredited. He also stated that he believes we will be the third in the country to combine treatment in the facility with Vivitrol upon release and re-entry which Mrs. Vaughan has been working on. judge DiSalle stated that there has been success with Vivitrol in drug court program. Director of Clinical and Case Management Services at Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission Erich Curnow explained in detail that Vivitrol is a block. The receptor for opiates, once stimulated, is constantly wanting to be fed. Vivitrol blocks that from happening and the cravings die down as a result. If someone ingests an opioid while the Vivitrol is in the system, this nullifies the effect of the drug, their money is wasted, and this will help with behavior modification which is a key component of recovery. Coupling this with treatment prior to and after release, this gives us the best chance of being successful. Since there are bed availability issues on the outside in the treatment world, cognitive behavioral therapy coupled with Vivitrol can be provided to inmates prior to release making a seamless transition for ongoing treatment and support once they're on the outside. Mr. Maggi inquired about the cost of each shot. Mrs. Vaughan responded that cost is just under $1,000. Mr. Curnow confirmed the government rate is just under $1,000. He further stated that the first shot is free while the inmate is incarcerated with the manufacturer absorbing the cost. The WDAC will continue to pay the costs once the inmate is released and no longer eligible for Medicaid until treatment is completed. Mr. Shober stated that he is seeking statistics because he believes the grant money will be expended quickly. If this program continues and is funded with county monies, he wants to ensure that the decision to continue the program is evidence -based with positive results. Mrs. Vaughan asked Mr. Curnow for confirmation that the program will administer a minimum of six monthly shots. Mr. Curnow confirmed that 18 months is generally recommended with the average being around 11 or 12, but that the minimum would be six months. After that, recidivism statistics will be reviewed, comparing the names of the participants versus the people coming back into the jail. Warden Strawn stated that based on available statistics, the success rate could possibly be around 82%. judge DiSalle asked how many people this would be offered to initially. Warden Strawn stated that this will be a learning process and that this is a topic to be discussed. Mr. Vittone stated that this will be something discussed at the next program meeting. Mr. Romano asked if there are any adverse effects on pregnant females. Warden Strawn responded that he is unable to answer at this time. Mr. Curnow stated that if they are coming in as opioid dependent, they have to be maintained on an opioid to prevent a miscarriage. He also stated that if a female becomes pregnant and is concerned about cravings, Vivitrol may not be the answer. Trexone, a stronger form of Naloxone (Narcan), should not have any effect on a fetus, but he cannot provide definite assurance. There being no further business, Chairman Maggi declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 11:58 a.m. THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL: 2017 ATTEST: t SECRETARY 134 PRISON BOARD IMR LIMITED E1316649LD MINUTE BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA This page is blank. 1