HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 35-P - 9-8-1982 - PRISON BOARD127
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Minute No. 35-P
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, PA, September 8, 1982
The monthly meeting of the Washington County Prison Board met in the Commissioners'
Conference Room at approximately 11:40 a.m. with the following members being present: Judge
Sweet, Commissioners Mascara, Gilmore and Paluso, Controller Beharry (District Attorney Bigi
later entered the meeting). Absent being: Sheriff Fazzoni. Also being present: Chief Clerk
Dallatore, Administrative Assistant Davis, Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II; Acting Warden Poland
and Byron Smialek, Observer -Reporter.
Chairman Mascara called the meeting to order and asked if there were any corrections,
additions or omissions to Minute No. 34-P, each member having received a copy. Moved by
Mr. Gilmore, seconded by Miss Beharry, approving Minute No. 34-P as read.
Roll call vote taken:
Judge Sweet - Yes; Miss Beharry - Yes;
Mr. Gilmore - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes;
Mr. Mascara - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Warden's Report:
Acting Warden Poland reported to the Board that they have a very dangerous criminal
in the Jail. The prisoner has an armed robbery offense here in the West Alexander area and a
second degree escape from Kentucky and they think he is involved in 2 murders. Poland stated
that he has applied to the Bureau of Corrections to have him transferred to the State Penitentiary
Acting Warden Poland brought to the Board's attention that the Greene County
(Waynesburg) Prison Board decided at a recent meeting to refuse to pay medical bills of the
prisoners on the basis that if they could not pay the bills or did not have insurance, it would
be added to their costs and restitution. Acting Warden Poland felt that this did have some
merit. Some discussion followed. Judge Sweet stated he would discuss this matter with the
other Judges.
Chairman. Mascara stated that at a meeting of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of
County Commissioners in Warrendale held a couple of weeks ago, discussion was held on the sub-
ject of Medicaid covering these medical bills. Further discussion was held an the matter of
medical bills being covered by Medicaid or the Department of Public Welfare. Mr. Paluso suggest
ed that Controller Behaxrn= chedl;.•:.Tith Allegheny County to see how they handle this matter.
Concerning the procedure of obtaining information on prisoners' insurance when they are admitted
to the Jail, Controller Beharry suggested that Acting Warden Poland obtain the name of the
insurance company along with the policy number and that information should be sent to the
hospital with the prisoner. Some discussion was held. Acting Warden Poland stated that the
medical information had been placed on the admittance card previously and is now being placed on`
the medical card and therefore will be sent to the hospital with the prisoner.
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Acting Warden Poland presented to the Board for their consideration the idea of
instituting a "good time" program at the Jail for the prisoners. He stated that there are other
counties using this program. He explained that this would give an inmate six (6) days of "good
time" (County time) per month, Mr. Poland noted that this might be a good measure to take in
light of the new sentencing guidelines, He also felt that it zaould lower the population of the
Jail and would be a good control tool for the Jail. Discussion followed. Judge Sweet coimlented
on his feelings concerning the effects of the new sentencing guidelines and stated that a study
done by the Adult Probation Office indicates only a 4% increase in the jail population.
Mr. Poland questioned the Board if he should proceed with the "good time" proposal. The Board
directed him to submit a written proposal to Judge Sweet so that he could review the proposal with
the other Judges.
(District Attorney Bigi entered the meeting)
District Attorney Bigi reported to the Board of a big drug bust in which there were 14
people arrested this morning and that more arrests are expected. He explained that these arrests
were made by the State Police in conjunction with the District Attorney's Office.
Judge Sweet reported to the Board that he testified at the unemployment compensation
hearing this morning regarding the suspended guards. Some discussion was held. Controller Beharry
commented briefly on the arbitration hearing at which she had testified.
Acting Warden Poland reported to the Board that the population of the Jail for the month
of August was 105 with the following breakdown:
Unsentenced Prisoners. . . . . . . . . .
. . 52
Sentenced Prisoners . . . . . . . . . .
. . 53
Females . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 2
Work Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 2
Weekenders - 21 Men - 2 Women. . .
. . 23
Federal Holdovers . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 2
Fayette County Holdovers . . . . . . . .
. . 2
Westmoreland County Holdovers. . . . . .
. . 1
Allegheny County Holdovers . . . . . . .
. . 3
Montgomery County Holdovers . . . . . .
. . 1
AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION FOR AUGUST
83
Acting Warden Poland noted that he has devised a new form (Commitment Check List) which'
would be used by the deskman at the Jail. Poland went on to explain this new form and also a
receiving/screening form. Commissioner Gilmore commended Mr. Poland on a job well done during the
past few months as Acting Warden at the Jail.
Bills.
Miss Beharry presented to the Board for their consideration and approval the bills for '
the month of August ($16,459.92). Miss Beharry questioned Acting Warden Poland concerning a
prisoner (R. Bennett) being taken to a specialist (Dr. Corwin) for an arm injury. A brief dis-
cussion followed. Poland stated that this prisoner is now a work release prisoner and that they
shouldn't have any more problems with this matter.
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Moved by Mr. Gilmore, seconded by Mr. Paluso, approving the payment of the bills for
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the month of August, 1982.
Roll call vote taken
Judge Sweet - Yes; Miss Beharry - Yes;
Mr. Bigi - Yes; Mr. Gilmore - Yes;
Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Mascara - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously,
Chairman Mascara brought up the matter of hiring a new Warden. Judge Sweet and
Cam Assioners Gilmore and Paluso agreed to set up a meeting to review the resumes of the possible
candidates.
There being no further business, Chairman Mascara declared the meeting adjourned at
approximately 12:40 p.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED:
% 1982
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ATTEST, t t` A .�_,,� ^LI-
SECRETARY
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