HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 3-P-91 - 3-13-1991 - PRISON BOARD383 MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Minute No. 3-P-91
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, Pa., March 13, 1991
The Washington County Prison Board met for its monthly meeting in the
Washington County Jail, 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; Linda Hands,
Clerk -Steno II; Lou Lignelli, Director of Administration; Deputy Warden Temas;
Kathy Warco, Observer -Reporter; Jim Jefferson, WJPA; and Colleen Gentilcore,
Herald -Standard.
Approval of Minutes:
Chairman Paluso called the meeting to order at approximately 11:40
a.m. and asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute
No. 2-P-91, each member having received a copy. Moved by Mr. Littleton,
seconded by Mr. Belcastro, that Minute No. 2-P-91 be approved as written.
Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating
"Aye".
Warden's Report:
Warden Pelzer presented to the Board the following information:
Income from other units for the maintenance of prisoners for
February:
$59.50 was billed to the United States Navy
Total Work Release and Weekenders:
Work Release and Weekenders were billed $5,040.00
Work Release and Weekenders money received $4,340.00
$200.00 was turned over to the Clerk of Courts for
collection.
Status of prisoners confined at the end of February, 1991:
MALES
FEMALES
TOTAL
Sentenced prisoners
52
4
56
Weekend prisoners
35
3
38
Work Release
29
2
31
Home Detention Program
3
0
3
Unsentenced prisoners
Awaiting trial
50
1
51
Awaiting sentencing
10
0
10
TOTAL PRISONERS
179
10
189
No. of inmates doctor saw
78
7
85
New commitments doctor saw
31
Repeat patients doctor saw
54
Sheriff transported 34 inmates
Warden Pelzer noted that this report was prepared as of the end of
February and that as of today the maximum number of five prisoners have been
placed in the Home Detention Program.
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Commissioner Petrosky commented on Act 201 of 1990 which deals with
the matter of permitting DUI prisoners to be placed in the In -House
Incarceration Program, effective July 1, 1991. He noted that this will have a
significant impact on the number of individuals that can be placed in the In -
House Incarceration Program. Some discussion followed.
Moved by Mr. Petrosky, seconded by Mr. Belcastro, to approve 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 February in the amount of $33,662.76.
Moved by Mr. Littleton, seconded by Mr. Petrosky, approving the bills for the
month of February 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 Paluso brought to the Board's attention a newspaper article
regarding a request by a State senator to have the Corrections Department halt
a program that provides free envelopes and postage for inmates. The article
states that the program has been in existence for twenty years and costs
taxpayers more than $750,000.00 a year. He questioned whether or not
Washington County does this and, if so, how is it paid for. Warden Pelzer
stated that Washington County does do it and it is paid for through the Jail's
operating budget. Some discusson was held. Chairman Paluso suggested to
Warden Pelzer that the Prison Welfare Fund would be a more appropriate place to
be charging these items and that there should be some type of audit to make
sure only prisoners are using that perk. He directed Warden Pelzer to look
into a new method of providing this program and some sort of system to keep
track that the program is available to prisoners only and to report back to the
Prison Board at its April meeting.
Special Report:
Lou Lignelli, Director of Administration, and Warden Pelzer reported
to the Board concerning a PSACC sponsored workshop that they attended in
Clarion, Pennsylvania, on March S, 1991, relative to (1) implementing the $200
million prison bond program and the preliminary eligibility requirements for
the bond issue; (2) provisions of Acts 71, 193 and 201; and (3) requirements
for submission of an intermediate punishment program.
Commissioner Petrosky advised the Board that a proposal is being
prepared for the Commissioners to submit a second -year funding request to the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for the Electronic
Monitoring/Home Detention Program which will request funding for an increase in
the number of DUI prisoners from 5 to 20.
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
A lengthy discussion followed.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at
approximately 12:00 Noon.
THE FORREEQGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
1991
ATTEST: '
SECRETARY
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