HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 11-P-89 - 10-11-1989 - PRISON BOARDPRISON BOARD
MINUTE
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minute NO. tt-r-�sy
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, Pa., October 11, 1989
The Washington County Prison Board met for its monthly meeting in the
7th Floor Conference Room, Courthouse Square, Washington, Pennsylvania, with
the following members being present: Judge Gilmore; Commissioners Mascara and
Petrosky; Controller Beharry; District Attorney Pettit; and Chief Deputy
Sheriff Littleton. Absent being: Commissioner Paluso. Also being present:
Executive Assistant DuJordan; Warden Pelzer; Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II;
Terri Johnson, Observer -Reporter; and Jim Jefferson, WJPA.
Chairman Petrosky called the meeting to order at approximately
11:45 a.m. and noted that Minute No. 10-P-89 would be held in abeyance.
Warden's Report:
Bills:
Warden Pelzer presented to the Board the following information:
Income from other units for the maintenance of prisoners for
September:
No monies received.
Total Work Release and Weekenders:
Weekenders billed $ 850.00 Received $ 870.00
Work Release billed $1,005.00 $1,920.00
TOTAL $1,855.00 $1,790.00
Received no monies from Clerk of Courts.
Status of prisoners confined at the end of August 1989:
MALES
FEMALES
TOTAL
Sentenced prisoners
48
6
54
Work Release
23
0
23
Weekender prisoners
30
3
33
Unsentenced
Awaiting trial
43
5
48
Awaiting sentencing
3
2
5
TOTAL PRISONERS
147
16
163
No. of inmates doctor saw
99
16
115
New commitments doctor saw
48
Repeat patients doctor saw
67
Sheriff transported 15 inmates
Controller Beharry presented to the Board for their consideration and
approval the bills for the month of September in the amount of $34,760.40.
Moved by Mr. Littleton, seconded by Ms. Beharry, approving the bills for the
month of September as per above. Motion carried unanimously by the Board
signifying their approval by stating "Aye". (See list of bills attached hereto
and made a part hereof.) The Commissioners' "yes" votes were cast with the
caveat that the Controller is tracking the bills to make sure the items are not
exceeding the $4,000#00 bid requirement. (For further reference, see blanket
caveat on page 278.)
3'A ]_
PRISON BOARD
MINUTE BOOK
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Old Business:
OUTSTANDING REIMBURSEMENTS
Reimbursable September Medical
Reimbursable September Maintenance
TOTAL
Outstanding Reimbursable Medical
Outstanding Reimbursable Maintenance
TOTAL
Total Medical Outstanding Reimbursement
Total Maintenance Outstanding Reimbursement
TOTAL
-0-
-0-
-0-
$ 770.96
1,122.50
$1,893.46
$ 770.96
1,122.50
$1,893.46
Lawrence County Aug. 1985 $ 429.25
Prison Transfer (out of business) Oct. 1986 235.25
U.S. Navy Apr./May 1989 357.00
N. Hampton (Denies claim) May 1985 101.00
TOTAL OUTSTANDING $1,122.50
Chairman Petrosky brought up for discussion the proposal for an
In -House Incarceration Program for inmates as submitted by American Monitoring
Sales Corporation. Ms. Beharry commented that she has no opposition to the
program but feels that the cost savings may be overestimated. Some discussion
followed. Commissioner Mascara stated that cost is an incidental benefit to
the overall problem of overcrowding.
Ms. Beharry also noted that the proposal indicates an estimated one-
year cost of $16,000 which she feels would require public bidding. Some
discussion followed regarding the program and if it would require public
bidding. Chairman Petrosky suggested that the matter be referred to the County
Solicitor for a final determination.
Chairman Petrosky questioned Judge Gilmore on how the Courts felt
about this program. Judge Gilmore stated that the Courts would participate in
the program. Some discussion followed.
District Attorney Pettit stated he was not opposed to the program, but
feels it should be applied on a case -by -case basis.
Chairman Petrosky entertained a motion to recommend to the Board of
Commissioners implementation of the In-house Incarceration Program.
Ms. Beharry suggested that with the recommendation to the Board of
Commissioners, the Prison Board suggest a trial period with an evaluation of
the program after one year by the Prison Board to determine whether or not the
program is working with any degree of success. Discussion followed.
Moved by Ms. Beharry, seconded by Mr. Mascara, that the Prison Board
recommend to the Board of Commissioners implementation of an In -House
Incarceration Program on a contractual arrangement for a one-year period and
that the program be evaluated after the one-year period by the Prison Board to
determine whether or not the program is working with any degree of success.
Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating
"Aye".
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WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
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Chairman Petrosky also brought up for discussion the matter or Nelian
Engineer's proposal for renovation of the Jail entrance. He questioned whether
the Board should pursue this renovation in light of the County's plans to build
an annex across the street that will contain, as explained at the last Board
meeting, a facility to house non-violent prisoners. He questioned whether or
not that in the alternative, other less costly administrative measures could be
taken to make the area more safe and secure. Discussion followed. Warden
Pelaer explained that new lock boxes for weapons have been ordered and that
they will be installed in the hallway as opposed to the Receiving Office. Mr.
Littleton suggested that the window in the Receiving Office contain bullet-
proof glass. With the Board members in agreement, Chairman Petrosky directed
the Warden to obtain estimates for: (1) the installation of bullet-proof glass
for the window in the Receiving Office; and (2) measures to make the outside
door more secure.
Ms. Beharry brought up the matter of the bench warrant for Paul
Battaglini (See Minute No. 9-P-89, page 333, for further reference) and stated
that she had briefly talked to Judge Gilmore about this matter but would like
to hold the matter in abeyance until she has had an opportunity to research the
bench warrant procedure further.
Mr. Littleton reported to the Board on the invoice from North Hampton
County with reference to a bench warrant. Some discussion followed. Moved by
Ms. Beharry, seconded by Mr. Mascara, approving a reciprocal agreement policy
whereby Washington County would not charge other counties in the state to house
out -of -county inmates in the Jail who have been picked up on outstanding bench
warrants. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by
stating "Aye".
Mr. Mascara noted that the County has participated in a survey
conducted by the PSACC regarding state and federal funding in building and
maintaining of jails. He stated that the Association is pursuing the
possibility of promulgating some legislation to assist counties in maintaining
and refurbishing of old jails and building new jails.
There being no further business, Chairman Petrosky declared the
meeting adjourned at approximately 12:10 a.m.
ATTEST:
157iVIO