HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 48-P - 9-14-1983 - PRISON BOARD158
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
'Minute No. 48-P
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, PA, September 14, 1983
The Washington County Prison Board met for their monthly meeting in the Commissioners'
Conference Room at approximately 11:45 a.m. with the following members being present: Conmissionoers
Mascara, Gilmore and Paluso, Controller Bebarry and Deputy ,Sheriff Littleton. Absent being:
Judge Sweet and District Attorney Bigi. Also being present Warden Poland; Linda Hands, Clerk -
Steno II; and Richard Glance, County Architect.
Chairman Mascara called the meeting to order and asked if there were any corrections,
additions or omissions to Minute No. 47-P, each member having received a copy. Moved by
Miss Beharry, seconded by Mr. Littleton, that Minute No. 47-P be approved as read. Motion carried
unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye".
Warden's Report:
Warden Poland reported to the Board the following breakdown in the Jail population for
the month of August, 1983:
Sentenced prisoners 71'
Unsentenced prisoners 58
Female prisoners 5
Work Release prisoners 12
Weekend prisoners 21
Fayette County Holdovers 1
U.S. Marshal Holdovers 2
AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION FOR AUGUST, 1983 96
Warden Poland also reported that the doctor saw 126 men and women.
Warden Poland informed the Board of an escape at the Jail which occurred on September 10th
by inmate Randy Harps. Warden Poland stated that the escape may have been due to his bad judgment
in placing the prisoner on the third floor. Discussion followed. Controller Beharry questioned
Warden Poland as to what precautions have been taken in terms of the window from which the prisond�r
escaped, Mr. Poland stated that they have moved all prisoners from this area until the windows
are either barred or screened. Warden Poland then went on to explain how the escape occurred.
Discussion followed concerning the matter of overpopulation and housing prisoners.
Warden Poland noted that we could send prisoners to Mercer and Armstrong counties but he prefers
to keep them here. He noted that all difficult prisoners are housed in the big jail.
Richard Glance, County Architect, reported to the Board on the installation of the
safety glass partition with security wire which has been installed around the existing stairs on
the second floor rotunda. Mr. Glance noted that this partition will prevent inmates from over-
taking the guards and escaping to the first floor via the existing stairs.
Mr. Glance brought up the matter of installing metal security screens on the windows on
the third floor rotunda. It was noted that this area had never been intended to house prisoners
but that the Warden had to use this area temporarily due to the fact that structural problems
had been discovered in the range area after the contractors began work which necessitated the
relocation of prisoners,
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MINUTE O O K
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
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Warden Poland suggested that the windows in the work release/weekender area also be
screened at the same time. Mr. Glance advised the Board of a proposal frm Gandy Interval of
Washington to install metal security screens on the windows for a total cost of approximately
$5,600 (approximately $2,500 for the rotunda area and approximately $3,100 for the
work release/weekender area). Discussion followed. It was recommended that the Board of
Commissioners declare an emergency situation at the Jail at their regular Board meeting tomorrow
and accept the proposal from Gandy Interval of Washington.
Warden Poland brought to the Board's attention a matter concerning the District Attorney's
Office and the Sheriff's Office. Mr. Poland stated that it has been his understanding that he
was to contact the D.A.'s Office when a fugitive is involved. Warden Poland went on to explain
that now there's a hassle between the two offices with reference to the prisoner that escaped.
Warden Poland then told the Board that from now on he will notify both offices when this occurs.
Discussion followed. Mr. Littleton noted he will try to get this matter resolved.
Bills
Controller Beharry presented to the Board for their consideration and approval the bills
for the month of August, 1983, in the amount of $15,138.54. Moved by Mr. Gilmore, seconded by
Mr. Littleton, approving the payment of the bills for the month of August, Motion carried by
the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye".
Reimbursable August Medical Payments
Reimbursable August Maintenance
Adjustment from July Maintenance
TOTAL
Outstanding Reimbursement Medical
Outstanding Reimbursement Maintenance
TOTAL
Total Medical Outstanding Reimbursements
Total Maintenance Outstanding Reimbursements
TOTAL OUTSTANDING REI BURSEI,IENTS
$ 146.00
2,113.75
(129.50)
$2,130.25
-0-
$1,714.50
1,714.50
146.00
$3,698.75
$3,844.75
Chairman Mascara and Deputy Sheriff Littleton commended Warden Poland for the fine
job that he is doing considering the overcrowdedness condition and construction going on at the
Jail.
It was noted that it is anticipated that the construction in the big Jail should be
complete by the end of October.
There being no further business, Chairman Mascara declared the meeting adjourned at
approximately 12:10 p.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED:
1983
ATTEST:
SECRETARY
%%Liss Beharry: Part of the problem I expressed to Bob (Warden Poland) six to seven months ago
about that was if you're going to secure a jail, then you have to secure a jail and that any
prisoner who has an access to a window that is not secure is a problem. I think that it was very
short-sighted not to secure all windows at the time we renovated the Jail than to create this
emergency situation because it was my recommendation six months ago, was it not, Mr. Poland?
Mr. Poland: I believe so.
Miss Beharry: Yes, it was.
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