HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 28-P - 3-10-1982 - PRISON BOARD105
MINUTE B O❑ K
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Minute No. 28-P
Wasington County Prison Board
Washington, PA, March 10, 1982
The monthly meeting of the Prison Board of Washington County met
in the Commissioners' Conference Room at approximately 11:30 a.m. with the followa-
;ing members being present: Commissioner Paluso, Gilmore and Mascara, Judge Sweet,
Sheriff Fazzoni, Controller Beharry. Absent being: District Attorney Bigi.
p
Also being present: Chief Clerk Dallatore, Administrative Assistant Davis, Linda''
Hands, Clerk -Steno II; Warden Oleski and Byron Smialek of the Observer -Reporter.
Chairman Mascara called the meeting to order and asked if there
were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. 27-P, each member
having received a copy. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Gilmore, that
Minute No. 27-P be approved as read. Motion carried unanimously by the Board
signifying their approval by stating "Aye".
Warden's Report:
Warden Oleski reported to the Board that the Jail population is
124 with the following breakdown:
Sentenced prisoners 75
Unsentenced prisoners 49
Total 124
Breakdown: Allegheny County 1
Federal 2
Females - Wash. Co. 4
Females - Mont. Co. 4
Weekenders 21
Work release 5
Drug Rehab. (Eaglesville) 1
February Average Daily Population 99
Chairman Mascara questioned Warden Oleski on what� the impact o
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the population would be as a result of the Uniform I'iieai 4„is-Act that will go into,
effect in July, 1982. Discussion followed.
Warden Oleski reported that the back door at the Jail is being
fixed at the present time and that they are in the process of finding a more suit. -
able electrical locking system.
Warden Oleski notified the Board that Dr. McKinley tendered his
notice that he is leaving as
of Apri12, 1982,
as physician
at the County Jail.
Warden Oleski stated that Dr.
McKinley's Assistant,
Dennis
Davis, who filled in
at times for Dr. McKinley, is
interested in the
position.
Mr. Gilmore suggested
that the Prison Board send Dr.
Davis a letter
offering him
the position at the
same rate. Moved by Mr. Gilmore,
seconded by
Mr. Paluso,
that the Prison Board
send Dr. Davis a letter with
reference to his
employment as
physician at the
County Jail. Motion carried
uanimously by the
Board signifying
their approval
106
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
by stating "Aye. �....
Warden Oleski noted that he is getting some of his people back that
were on sick leave. Discussion followed. He also noted that Correctional
Officer Waltz has been granted a continuance on his Leave of Absence for medical
reasons.
Judge Sweet briefly updated the Board on the matter of the rape
incident and noted that the trial will start March 15, 1982.
Warden Oleski stated that he was in great need of a Counselor to
handle all the requests at the Jail. Mr. Gilmore recommended that the Warden
meet with the Personnel Director to draft an organizational chart for the Jail
and then send a letter to the Salary Board.
BILLS:
Controller Beharry presented to the Board for their consideration
the bills for the February, 1982. Miss Beharry stated
and approval month.of
that the figure of $21,499.34 was extremely high and that the figure incorporated
about $4,000 in uniforms and also $5,865.15 as the balance due to Washington
Hospital. Miss Beharry asked a fear questions concerning the hospital bills and
the way in which Washington County billed other Counties for prisoners being
taken to the hospital. Controller Beh..arry also brought up the matter of the
County, being billed for hospital services for inmates who may have their own
m,ed cal insurance coverage.. She stated that we need to set up a system whereby
we.can de.texmine initially whether or not these people have coverage to avoid
these: extra hospital bills. Discussion Followed.
Controller Beh.a,rry, also brought to the Board's attention an in-
voice. fram Dr,e Cohen_, the dentist, for his, 1982 retainer. She stated that a
$250 retainer hod been paid last year, but that Dr. Cohen had not performed any
services at the Jail, More. di,scusssion followed,
Commi.ss`oner Gilmore suggested to Miss Beharry that she send a
letter to Dr. Cohen stating that.he is no longer a dentist on retainer. Dis-
cus:son followed.
Judge Sweet discussed with the. Board the matter of prisoners and
medical expense bills. Judge Sweet stated that efforts, are being made to nol
pros, dismiss or otherwise avoid those who look like they might be an expense to
the. County. *He also stated that this is harder to do after a person is sentenced.
There is a certain amount of reluctance to turn loose on the public somebody who`
has been found to need confinement; but when they are at the stage of being
Arrested and are awaiting trial and they look as though they might have medical
problems, we would like to balance medical expenses to the County against the
safety, of the public. Judge Sweet discussed this matter further. Judge Sweet
*Chairman Mascara commended Judge Sweet for his cooperation in this regard.
107
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
stated that he would like to have a device by which the presence of such a sit-1
uation gets known either to him or to the Judge of the Term or to someone.
A discussion followed.
Commissioner Paluso suggested establishing a "pre -sentence phy-
sical exam" but Judge Sweet pointed out that this would cost more than it would;'
save for the County. A lengthy discussion was held.
Judge Sweet brought up the matter of a mental case (Daniel
Fitzpatrick) who by the recommendation of a Public Defender (_Kostolansky) was
admitted to Mayv.ew for evaluation which ended up costing the County between
$10,000 $11,000. Judge Sweet noted that Mr. Fumelli, Human Services Director,
and Mr. Barshick, MH/MR Administrator, discussed this matter with him in order
to get it resolved. Judge Sweet stated that he would like a flow of information
on prisoners to avoid these incidents of extra hospital costs. Discussion was
held.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 12:05 a.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED:
March 24 , 1982
ATTEST:
ECRETARY
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