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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 37-P - 10-13-1982 - COMMISSIONER132 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 'Minute No. 37-P Washington County Commissioners Washington, PA, October 13, 1982 The monthly meeting of the Washington County Prison Board met in the Commissioners' Conference Room at approximately 11:45 a.m. with the following members being present: Judge Sweet, Commissioner Gih-nore, Controller Beharry and Sheriff Fazzoni. Absent being: Commissioner Mascara and Commissioner Paluso, who was out of town and District Attorney Bigi. Also being present: Chief Clerk Dallatore, Administrative Assistant Davis; Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II; Captain Dale Phillips and Byron Smialek, Observer -Reporter. Secretary Beharry called the meeting to order (due to the fact that the Chairman and Vice -Chairman were not present) and asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to' Minute No. 36-P, each member having received a copy. Moved by Mr. Gilmore, seconded by Judge Sweet, that Minute No. 36-P be approved as read. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". Due to the absence of the Warden (who was attending a conference), Captain Dale Phillips reported to the Board the population at the Jail: Unsentenced Prisoners 66 Sentenced Prisoners 61 Females 0 Work Release Prisoners 9 Weekenders 24 Federal Prisoners Holdovers 7 Allegheny County Holdovers 4 Westmoreland County Holdovers 2 Fayette County Holdovers 1 AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION FOR SEPTEMBER 102 Captain Phillips brought up the matter of Richard Sturgill who has been committed to Mayview by an Order from Judge Bell for a period not to exceed 90 days. Captain Phillips reported that he had to take Sturgill to the hospital because he had allegedly swallowed some razor blades, but the hospital x-rays showed that he had swallowed 2 metal parts of a Bic lighter. A brief discussion was held. Controller Beharry brought up the matter of the water problem at the Jail and an invoice in the amount of $1,859.00. Miss Beharry stated that Lou Lignelli and the Warden have been advised of this problem and that they had plumbers over at the Jail to check_ he problem; however they have not found any leaks. Miss Beharry stated that we have not concluded negotiations with the water company on this situation. Discussion was held. Miss Beharry noted that the water bills have been paid because she feels that the utilities are the one place where they will issue, credit when there is a settlement made regarding the utility payment as opposed to having them shut the water off and getting into a hassle with the company. Further discussion followed. Controller Beharry presented to the Board for their consideration and approval the bills for the month of September, 1982. Moved by Mr. Gilmore, seconded by Mr. Fazzoni, approving the payment of the bills for the month of September. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". 133 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Controller Beharry reported to the Board that she has checked with the Administrator { of the Allegheny County Prison concerning the matter of Medicaid payments. She then went on to explain the Medicaid procedure in Allegheny County and the agreement Allegheny County has with Mercy Hospital in which the Hospital executes the paper work for Allegheny County. Discussion { followed. Miss Beharry stated that she would call the Department of Public Welfare and Washington Hospital about implementing coverage beyond the 30th of the month. i Controller Beharry reported to the Board the decisions of the Arbitration Hearing and the Unemployment Compensation Hearing concerning the 45-day suspension of the four jail guards. The decisions are as follows: Arbitration Hearing AWARD: The grievance is denied. (Copy of Arbitration Award attached hereto) Unemployment Compensation Hearing ORDER: The determination of the Bureau is affirmed and benefits 3 are denied for the suspension period. Controller Beharry brought up the matter of the Deputy Warden position. Captain Phillips stated that Warden Poland prefers to hold off on filling that position until the beginning of the year. Discussion followed. (The Board excused Captain Phillips from the meeting in order to discuss the matter of the Deputy Warden position) Sheriff Fazzoni stated that he doesn't think the Board should wait until the first of the year to hire a Deputy Warden .? Judge Sweet stated that he is interested in having someone on the premises with some academic qualifications in the field of crilinal justice and that someone outside of the Jail be brought in as Deputy Warden. Mr. Gilmore noted that we do have a couple of guards with degrees. It was the consensus of the Board members present at this meeting to direct Warden Poland to begin interviewing applicants for the Deputy Warden position through the Personnel Office and to come back to the Board with recommendations at the next meeting; and that at the time he makes a recommendation to the Board, he inform the Board as to the individual's academic; qualifications. Some discussion followed. Moved by Mr. Fazzoni, seconded by Mr. Gilmore, that the meeting adjourn. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED: 111�?iv�I 1982 ? a ATTEST: SECRETARY *Judge Sweet brought up the matter of a memo he sent to each Prison Board member concern ing Warden Poland's cooperation with the State Police in producing a defendant in the case of Commonwealth of Pa., ex rel Michael Washington vs. Robert Poland, Acting Warden of the Washington; County Jail. Judge Sweet stated that subsequently he conducted an informal hearing with Attorney, Chunko, Trooper Bernard Stanek and Warden Poland and believes that while the Warden's conduct was: not exemplary, the results of that informal hearing did not come through as clean cut and crisp as the meim which was distributed. Discussion followed between Judge Sweet and Controller Beharry. Judge Sweet noted that the Warden did prove unable to produce the defendant and did not prove unwilling to produce the defendant. More discussion followed. Controller Beharry suggested that' the record show that Warden Poland did nothing to obstruct justice.