HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 7-P-90 - 7-11-1990 - PRISON BOARD36F
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
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Minute No. 7-P-90
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, Pa., July 11, 1990
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: Commissioners Mascara, Petrosky and
Paluso; Controller Belcastro; and Chief Deputy Sheriff Littleton. Absent
being: Judge Gilmore and District Attorney Pettit. Also being present:
Warden Pelzer; Executive Assistant Pettit; Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II; Linda
Ritzer, Observer -Reporter; and Scott Herrington, WJPA.
Chairman Mascara called the meeting to order at approximately
11:40 a.m.
Warden's Report:
Warden Pelzer presented to the Board the following information:
Income from other units for the maintenance of prisoners for
June:
No monies received.
Total Work Release and Weekenders:
Weekenders billed $ 780.00 Received $ 720.00
Work Release billed $3,270.00 $3,861.00
TOTAL $4,050.00 $4,581.00
$60 was turned over to the Clerk of Courts for collection.
Status of prisoners confined at the end of June 1990:
MALES
FEMALES
TOTAL
Sentenced prisoners
50
4
54
Weekend prisoners
36
3
39
Work Release
30
0
30
Home Detention Program
2
0
2
Unsentenced prisoners
Awaiting trial
46
0
46
Awaiting sentencing
13
2
15
TOTAL PRISONERS
177
9
186
No. of inmates doctor saw
124
12
136
New commitments doctor saw
63
Repeat patients doctor saw
73
Sheriff transported 29 inmates
Warden Pelzer provided to the Board members a copy of a letter from
the Department of Corrections which stated that the State would assist the
County with temporary housing of inmates by utilizing the Greensburg State
Correctional Institute for the containment of Washington County prison inmates
in the event of an emergency.
Commissioner Paluso questioned Warden Pelzer regarding the Home
Detention Program where there are only two inmates presently using the
bracelets, but the County is being billed for five. Warden Pelzer explained
that under the contract with American Monitoring System, the County must pay
the daily rate for each of the five slots even if all five slots are not being
used. Mr. Pelzer further explained that at one time there were four inmates
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MINUTE
PRISON BOARD
B❑0K
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
using the bracelets but one was allowed to begin serving her sentence on
weekends and the other was removed from the program for various reasons.
Chairman Mascara questioned Mr. Pelaer if there was a waiting list for these
bracelets. Mr. Pelxer noted they are currently working with the Courts and
District Attorney's Office for inmates who meet the stringent criteria for
participation in this program, Commissioner Paluso suggested that the program
be evaluated at the end of the first year of the contract to determine if in
fact this is a cost-effective program. More discussion followed.
Chairman Mascara informed the Prison Board that also relative to the
Home Detention Program, the Commissioners received notification of approval of
a grant in the amount of $19,996 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency to fund this program. More discussion was held on the matter of
compiling the waiting list for potential candidates for the home detention
program.
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Petrosky, to accept the
Warden's Report. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their
approval by stating "Aye".
Bills:
Controller Belcastro presented to the Board for their consideration
and approval the bills for the month of June in the amount of $41,071.88.
Moved by Mr. Littleton, seconded by Mr. Petrosky, approving the bills for the
month of June 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.)
Other Business:
Chairman Mascara brought up the matter of House Bill 2116 (signed by
Governor Casey on July 1 as Act 71 of 1990) relative to the $200 million grant
program, to be funded by a bond issue, subject to voter approval in the
November general election, for county governments to build or expand existing
prisons. He noted that the Commissioners talked this morning about pursuing
the building of a 100-bed minimum security prison across the street from the
existing jail. Discussion followed.
Chairman Mascara also noted that House Bill 2221 regarding the
responsibility for payment of prerelease drug testing costs has been passed and
is ready to be signed by the Governor wherein the Commonwealth, and not the
counties, would be responsible for these costs.
A brief discussion was held relative to S.B. 295 which Governor Casey
signed into law as Act 75 of 1990 which allows the establishment of rates and
the collection of a reasonable amount from prisoners incarcerated only on
weekends or other short periods each week.
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Chief Deputy Sheriff Littleton suggested that the Board explore the
feasibility of having an infirmary on site in the proposed new facility which
would save on medical costs. Discussion followed concerning the costs of
building a new facility. Moved by Mr. Littleton, seconded by Mr. Petrosky,
that the County pursue any grants or low-cost financing by the State to enhance
or to facilitate the construction of some kind of a prison across from the
existing site. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their
approval by stating "Aye".
Approval of Minutes:
Chairman Mascara asked if there were any corrections, additions or
omissions to Minute No. 6-P-90, each member having received a copy. Moved by
Mr. Littleton, seconded by Mr. Belcastro, that Minute No. 6-P-90 be approved as
written. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by
stating "Aye".
There being no further business, Chairman Mascara declared the meeting
adjourned at approximately 12:00 Noon.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
August 10 , 1990
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