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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 26-P - 1-13-1982 - PRISON BOARD99 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA x _ R Minute No. 26-P Washington County Prison Board i Washington, PA, Janaury 13, 1982 The Annual Reorganization and monthly meeting of the Prison Board of Washington County met in the Commissioners' Conference Room at approximately 11:45 a.m. with the following members being present: Commissioners Paluso, Gilmore and Mascara, Sheriff Fazzoni, Controller Beharry, Judge Sweet and Dis- trict Attorney Bigi. Also being present: Administrative Assistant Davis; Linda Hands, Clerk -Typist and Warden Oleski. Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. 25-P, each member having received a copy. Moved by Mr. Gilmore, seconded by Mr. Bigi, that Minute No. 25-P be approved as read. Motion carried unanimously be vote cast by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye", ELECTION OF OFFICERS t Sheriff Fazzoni nominated Mr. Bigi for Chairman. Mr. Bigi declined the nomination. Moved by Mr. Bigi, seconded by Mr. Fazzoni, nominating Commissioner; Mascara as Chairman. Moved by Judge Sweet, seconded by Mr. Gilmore, that the nominations be closed. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their, approval by stating "Aye". Moved by Judge Sweet, seconded by Mr. Fazzoni, nominating Commissioner' f Paluso as Vice -Chairman. Moved by Mr. Bigi, seconded by Mr. Gilmore, that the nominations be closed. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". Moved by Mr. Fazzoni, seconded by Mr. Gilmore, nominating Controller Beharry as Secretary. Moved by Judge Sweet, seconded by Mr. Bigi, that the no- minations be closed. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". WARDEN'S REPORT: Warden Oleski reported that he is short on staff as a result of one guard breaking a leg while escorting an inmate and another guard is sick with pneumonia. Some discussion followed. Warden Oleski reported that the Jail population is 94 with the follow-' ing breakdown: Unsentenced prisoners. . . . . . . 43 Sentenced prisoners. . . . . . . . 51 Weekend prisoners. . . . . . 19 Work release prisoners . . . . . . 2 Female prisoners (Total) . . . . . 6 Washington County . . . . . . . 1 Fayette County. . . . . . . . 1 Montgomery County . . . . . . . 4 Holdover prisoners . . . . . . . . 3 Federal 100 J 1 MINUTE BOO PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA a Warden Oleski noted that when submitting his budget for this year, he underestimated the amount of funds to be received by the Jail and that this figure will probably be around $60,000 instead of $35,000. A lengthy discussion was then held on the incident that occurred at the Jail on January 8, 1982, whereby an inmate had been physically beaten and sexually assaulted by other inmates of the Jail. Judge Sweet stated that the District Attorney's Office has already set up a hearing and is hopeful that things will move very fast on this case. Warden Oleski reported that the victim' was taken to the hospital for examination and that a photographer took pictures of the victim's bruises. The Board discussed the matter of segregating the prisoners --less serious offenders to be separated from the more serious offenders. Warden Olesk� noted that it has been the practice to have the unsentenced prisoners in the big jail and that with 94 prisoners, it is hard at times to keep them separated Mr. Paluso suggested the possibility of stopping the policy of taking in other prisoners. More discussion followed. The Board was in agreement that the pri- soners should be segregated. Moved by Judge Sweet, seconded by Controller Beharry, that it is the opinion of the members of the Prison Board that, as a matter of policy, the Warden should try to have prisoners who are likely to be victimized in one or more ranges where they can be protected and prisoners whose background --previous criminal record --suggests a possibility of violence towards a person, particu- larly sexual violence, should be segregated. Remarks: Commissioners Mascara suggested that since the victim had talked of suicide, the County should call in a psychiatrist to counsel the victim. He so directed the Warden to contact a psychiatrist. Mr. Mascara also suggested that Judge Sweet talk to Judge Terputac since the victim was one of Judge Terputac's offenders. Judge Sweet noted that he has a meeting with Judge Terputac this afternoon. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approavl by stating "Aye". Judge Sweet suggested that maybe someone from the County's legal de - partment should prepare an anticipatory file on this case in order for the County to be in a defensive posture. He also suggested that testimony be taken at the magistrate's hearing. OTHER BUSINESS: Moved by Judge Sweet, seconded by Mr. Bigi, to retain the Warden for the year 1982. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". 101 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA t BILLS: Controller Beharry presented to the Board for their consideration and approval the bills for the month of December , 1981. She noted that the total ($10,,832.44) of these invoices is a low figure as it does not reflect certain purchases since some of the paperwork had not been processed since Mr. Phillips had been on vac- ation. She estimated the figure to be close to $13,000 - $14,000. Moved by Mr. Gilmore, seconded by Mr. Bigi, approving the payment of the bills for the month of December, 1981. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". A brief discussion was held on the locks and the laundry room door at the Jail. Judge Sweet and Sheriff Fazzoni both agreed that there is a threat to security in having to bring prisoners a double distance from the Jail to the courthouse. Moved by Judge Sweet, seconded by Commissioner Paluso, authorizing the Warden to contact the Property & Supplies Department to do what is necessary to repair/replace this back door. Remarks: Commissioner Paluso rioted that the Commissioners would authorize the advertisement of bids for this project at their meeting tommorrow. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". Warden Oleskibr-ught up the matter of the organizational chart for the Jail and noted that there is one less Correctional Officer. Commissioner Paluso explained that all vacancies were eliminated from the organizational charts but that the Salary Board has the prerogative of filling any vacancies. Warden Olesl<,i also asked about the Counselor and Secretary postions. Commissioner Mascara suggested utilizing Mary Grady from the Purchasing Department on a part-time basis at the Jail. He stated that he would contact the Purchasing Office for such arrangements. Meeting adjourned at approximately 12:30 p.m. THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED: January22 , 1982 /� ATTEST: u.1 C.l SECRETARY /✓ 1 1