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Home My WebLink AboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 3-P - 3-14-1984 - PRISON BOARD172 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Minute No. 3-P Washington County Prison Board Washington, PA, March14, 1984 The Washington County Prison Board met for their monthly meeting in the; Washington County Jail at approximately 11:45 a.m. with the following members be- ing present: Commissioners Petrosky and Paluso, Judge Gladden, Controller Beharry and Deputy Sheriff Littleton. Absent being: Commissioner Mascara and District Attorney Pettit. Also being present: Warden Poland; Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II; Barbara Miller, Observer -Reporter and Jim Provance, Herald -Standard. Vice -Chairman Paluso called the meeting to order and asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. 2-P, each member having re- ceived a copy. Moved by Miss Beharry, seconded by Mr. Petrosky, that Minute No. 2-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 February, 1984: Sentenced prisoners 50 Unsentenced prisoners 63 Female prisoners 11 Work Release prisoners 9 Weekender prisoners 27 U. S. Marshal Holdovers 5 AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION FOR FEBRUARY 131 Mr. Poland noted that the population at the Jail today is 145. Warden Poland reported to the Board that the federal prisoners will be shipped out tomorrow. Mr. Poland noted that this would make a few more cells .available. Warden Poland also reported to the Board that he is going to shut the weight room down and put more beds in there. A brief discussion followed. Mr. Poland noted that the shutdown of the weight room would make space available for 18 prisoners. Commissioner Paluso suggested to Judge Gladden that the Courts expedite the pre -sentence investigations and have these people sentenced, Discussion followed. Judge Gladden stated that he would check on this matter with the Adult Probation Office. Warden Poland suggested to Judge Gladden that the Courts consider minimun sentences for prisoners who are low risk and behaved. Judge Gladden pointed out that each Judge would look at these situations on a case -by -case basis, Commissioner Paluso suggested that the Warden give recommendations to the Judges concerning these prisoners and how much time they have remaining, Disc cussion followed on this matter. 173 MINUTE B ®® K PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Warden Poland brought up the matter of giving indigent inmates tooth- paste, brushes and tobacco of which the money comes from the Commissary fund' A �4(This money pnus.t be used foz lengthy discussion followed. Mr. Littleton noted that at one time the Department?t.he welfare of ,all prisoners. of Revenue,from its seizure of illegal cigarettes, used to give the cigarettes to Funds cannot bE Fdiverte.d to in - Jails and prisons. Commissioner Paluso suggestedt-hatMr, Littleton look into this; digentpr.soner matter. More discussion followed. Mr. Poland noted that he put some money in his budget for indigent prisoners hoping to use the money for this purpose. i Judge Gladden suggested that Mr. Poland contact the Dental Society to see if they; could help in any way with supplying toothbrushes and paste.. Discussion was held. Commissioner Paluso stated that a letter should be sent from the Commissioners to the Society to see if the Society would be willing to help on this matter. Mr. Paluso suggested that the Warden order these supplies through Purchasing in the meantime. Warden Poland reported to the Board that the income for the month of February for prisoner maintenance was in the amount of $3,281.50 and the room and: board income was $729.00. Mr. Poland also noted that the doctor saw 78 men and 5 women, Warden Poland brought to the Board's attention a memo he received from Controller Beharry with reference to setting up a fund for work release prisoners: Commissioner Paluso went on to explain to the Board members what was done years ago when prisoners would work as road crews and park crews, etc, and that it had nothing to do with the new programs that we presently have with weekenders and the like. Judge Gladden explained the serious problems he foresees with this set-up. Discussion followed. Mr. Poland noted that he will have the County Solicitor check into this situation. A lengthy discussion followed, Mr. Paluso requested that Controller Beharry check with the other counties as to their procedures. Mr. Poland commented that he didn't want to see the pre-release program jeopardized to the point where they are sentenced out of jail. More discussion followed. Miss Beharry questioned Warden Poland on the matter of uniforms for the inmates. Warden Poland stated that he has been trying to see if he can get some type of uniform for inmates and cited the reasons why this would be a good idea. Warden Poland explained that he would prefer a cover -all type of uniform. Mr. Poland stated that uniforms would eliminate a lot of problems and probably a lot of cost to the County. A discussion followed. Mr. Littleton pointed out that with the uniforms if there would ever be a situation (i,e „ fire at the Jail) where prisoners escaped, it would be easier to spot them on the street as opposed to civilian clothes. More discussion followed. Warden Poland noted that he would need about 250 pairs so that the prisoners could change once a week. Commissioner Paluso directed the Warden to obtain prices from the Bureau of Cor- rections as well as outside vendors and report back to the Board. 1 *As required by 61 P.S. § 2141-2145 I1 1 174 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA `BILLS: Controller Beharry presented to the Board for their consideration and approval the bills for the month of February, 1984, in the amount of $43,942.41. Controller Beharry stated that the bills appear high again this month due to the fact that the gas bills have been incorporated directly into the prison costs this year. She noted that the gas bill was in the amount of $10,257.25. Miss Beharry also pointed out that the medical bills for that month from Washington Hospital ($8,130.00) and Greater Washington Radiologists ($114.00) were due to the smoke inhalation from the fire at the Jail.. Commissioner Paluso questioned Mr. Poland on the item of detergent and asked if it was a bid item or not. Dis- cussion followed. Commissioner Paluso recommended that they also get some speci-' fications on the film used at the Jail, He stated that if the County is going to;, be spending that kind of money on the film maybe we should look around for some cheaper film. A brief discussion followed. Regarding the Ambulance and Chair Service bill, Mr. Littleton questioned the Board on whether the Jail was being charged on a subscription rate or charged' everytime the services are needed. The Board directed the Warden to look into costs for a subscription rate with the Ambulance and Chair. Service along with other ambulance services. Moved by Judge Gladden, seconded by Miss Beharry, approving the payment' of the bills for the month of February, 1984. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". Reimbursable February Medical Payments -0- Reimbursable February Maintenance $3,281.50 Adjustment from Janaury (148.00) TOTAL $3,133.00 Outstanding Reimbursable Medical 240.55 Outstanding Reimbursable Maintenance $3,475.70 TOTAL $3,716.25 Total Medical Outstanding Reimbursements 240.55 Total Maintenance Outstanding Reimbursements $6,608.70 TOTAL OUTSTANDING REIMBURSEMENTS $6,849.25 BILLED PAID BALANCE Weekenders $430.00 $287.00 $143.00 Work Release 370.00 442.00 +72.00 Controller Beharry brought to the Board's attention a matter regarding eye glass care for inmates at the Jail. Warden Poland explained that the Jail has always handled the eye examinations but that they don't supply the glasses. Dis- cussion was held on this matter. Commissionerpetroskysuggested that the Warden contact the Lions Club to see if they would be interested in donating glasses. More discussion followed. There being no further business, Vice -Chairman Paluso declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 12:20 a.m. 175 PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED: t y✓� / �¢ 1984 f ATTEST: SECRETAR' El [I