HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 12-P-88 - 10-18-1988 - PRISON BOARD30A
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA
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Minute INMo. 12-P-88
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, Pa.., October 18, 1988
lihe Washington County Prison Board held an emergency meeting in the 7th
Floor Conference Room, Courthouse Square, Washington, Pennsylvania, at 3:00
" p.m. with the following members being present: Judges Gladden and Gilmore;
Commissioners Mascara and Petrosky; DI strict. Attorney Pettit; Sheriff Fazzoni
and Chief Deputy Sheriff Littleton; and Controller Beharry. Absent being:
Cormnti2_-inner Paluso. Also being present: Executive Assistant DuJordan; Warden
Pelzer; Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno !I; Linda Ritzer, O-R; Jim Jefferson, WJPA;
and Pete Skirchak, Herald -Standard.
Warden Pelzer gave a brief account of the incident that occurred on
Monday evening, October 17, 1988, involving inmate Jose Fields who sexually
assaulted a nightshift maintenance employee (Lois Tilerman) in Judge Gladden's
charmhers. He noted that inmate Fields was apprehended earlier this morning and
Statet at and City police are jointly investigating the incident. He
o,bm.,'9tted to the Board memberss a written report prepared by Captain Brian
Pamfllett who interviewed various staff members of the Jail and other trusties
concerning their knowledge of the details of the incident. A copy of the
re-oort I's- attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Chairman Pettit pointed out that the meeting was called for the purpose
of Board members to obtain first-hand information regarding this incident and
to ask any questions that they might have. A 'Lengthy discussion followed
concerning this particular incident and issues of trusties selection and
2upervi_,2' ,on.
Sheriff Fazzoni expressed his concern that his office was not contacted
immediately following this incident. He was upset that his office was the last
to know again. Tt was noted that the Board was in the process of having a
policy developed outlining procedures as to what law enforcement officers
should be contacted in various situations.
Mr. Liqnel1i, Director of Administration, gave a detailed report
regarding the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault/rape incident as
conveyed to him during his interviews with various staff employees and Jail
rustie2. More discusslon followed.
Commissioner P,:-,tro--ky 2:tated that he was convinced that the County
cannot provide the 2upervision necessary for the trusties. He, therefore,
recommen;`ed to the Board that the trusty proL Traro. be abandoned immediately and
to do away with trustie2 working outside the p r,4 son environment/structure. He
felt t.h'at they should be confined to working in the prison
environment/structure only. More discussion was held.
(Judge Glilniore entered the meeting)
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PRISON BOARD
MINUTE BOOK
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Commissioner Fetrosky explained that a survey of the 5 other fourth-
class counties in the State showed that none used trusties outside the prison
environment.
(Commissioner Mascara left the meeting)
More discussion followed.
Moved by Ms. Beharry, seconded by Mr. Petrosky, that the Board act to
suspend the trusty activities outside the prison until the Board researches the
supervision issue further and decides what kind of liability the Board has for
the action of the trusties. Motion carried by the Board members signifying
their approval by cl.-itIng "Aye". Chairman Pettit voted "Nay".
(Sheriff , Fazzon..J and Chief Deputy Sheriff Littleton left the meeting.)
I I Judge Gilmore questioned the reasons why meetings were being held in
the Cou-rthc-F'usp as opposed to the public meeting room in the Courthouse Square
Bu,ilding. 0-iscuEsion followed.
There being no further business, Chairman Pettit declared the meeting
ad-i,ourned at approximately 3:55 P-111.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL::
r 988
ATTEST
SECRETARY
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