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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 2-P-92 - 2-12-1992 - PRISON BOARD4G9 Washington County Prison Board Washington, Pa., February 12, 1992 The monthly meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held in the 7th Floor Conference Room, Courthouse Square Office Building, Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following members being present: Commissioners Mascara, Petrosky and Ford; Controller Belcastro; District Attorney Pettit; and Chief Deputy Sheriff Secreet. Absent being: Judge Gilmore. Also being present: Lou Lignelli, Director of Administration; Warden Pelzer; Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II; Jim Jefferson, WJPA; Kathy Warco, Observer -Reporter; and Colleen Gentlecore, Herald -Standard. Chairman Mascara called the meeting to order at approximately 11:35 a.m. and asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. 1-P-92, each member having received a copy. Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Petrosky, that Minute No. 1-P-92 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 January: None Total Work Release and Weekenders: Work Release were billed $3,750.00 Weekenders were billed $2,480.00 Amount received $4,442.00 $120.00 was turned over to the Clerk of Courts for collection. Status of prisoners confined at the end of January, 1992: MALES FEMALES TOTAL Sentenced prisoners 53 2 55 Weekend prisoners 30 4 34 Work Release 31 2 33 Home Detention Program 7 0 7 (NOTE: Warden Pelzer noted that the number of bracelets will increase from 7 to approximately 19 or 20 as a result of additional funding from a PCCD Grant. Unsentenced prisoners Awaiting sentencing 13 1 14 Awaiting trial 48 2 so TOTAL PRISONERS 182 11 193 No. of inmates doctor saw 127 14 141 New commitments doctor saw 75 Repeat patients doctor saw 66 Sheriff transported 25 inmates Moved by Mr. Pettit, seconded by Mr. Belcastro, to approve the Warden's Report as per above. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating Aye E I 41- and approval the bills for the month of January in the amount of $51,568-64. Moved by Mr. Pettit, seconded by Mr. Ford, approving the bills for the month of January 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 made reference to a memo he sent to all Board members regarding a trip taken by Lou Lignelli on January 28th to tour the Bucks County Jail. Lou Lignelli, Director of Administration, reported to the Board that the purpose of the trip was to tour a "direct supervision jail" in order to obtain ideas for construction of Washington County's new justice center and to see firsthand the management of a "direct supervision jail" as it pertains to a system of behavior modifications and positive rewards to prisoners for good behavior. Mr. Lignelli explained that direct supervision is whereby jail guards, directly within pods and in a very open environment, manage the supervision of the prisoners in their respective pod. Mr. Lignelli noted that Bucks County's "direct supervision jail" was built in 1985, originally for one-man cells having a cell space of 376 and that due to increased population, presently 72-W of their existing cells are now double -bunked. Mr. Lignelli stated that after discussing our jail's overcrowded situation with Warden Pelzer, he recommended that the Prison Board consider double -bunking for the jail. He explained that the Warden would have to classify prisoners into the proper ranges so as not to mix violent offenders with less violent offenders. It was noted that about a year ago, the Warden had approached the Board about double -bunking, but at that time he was instructed to look at housing more prisoners in the work release and cafeteria areas. Warden Pelzer stated that double -bunking would help alleviate the overcrowding in the two common areas (work release and cafeteria). He also noted that during a recent inspection of the jail by the State Department of Corrections, the Department gave the jail permission to house two inmates in each of the 72 cells inside the main jail. Chairman Mascara questioned Warden Pelzer as to what materials or equipment would need to be purchased in order to begin double -bunking. Warden Pelzer stated that approximately 30 beds would have to be purchased. Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Pettit, authorizing the Warden to make any Purchases or changes necessary in order to begin double -bunking in the jail. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". 411 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA With reference to the high cost of medical bills at the jail that was discussed at last months meeting, Warden Pelzer informed the Board that he contacted the Ambulance and Chair Service in order to obtain some kind of fee schedule. Chairman Mascara made reference to a letter from Ambulance and Chair Service dated January 22, 1992, which listed the rates and noted that there was a rate increase effective November 16, 1991. Commissioner Petrosky suggested that the Warden look into the feasibility of a yearly enrollment plan for each inmate as opposed to the current system. Mr. Lignelli noted that he has had discussions with Billie J. Morris, Executive Director of Ambulance and Chair Service, and is trying to work out some sort of contractual arrangement between the County and Ambulance and Chair Service that would include the Jail as well as the Coroner's Office because that office also uses the services. Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Petrosky, to approve the fee schedule from Ambulance and Chair Service as per above until such time that an alternate or contractual arrangement can be developed. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". District Attorney Pettit suggested that the Warden inform Ambulance and Chair Service that, in the future, we would like to be notified in advance of any rate increases. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 11:55 a.m. THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL: 1992 ATTEST : V16�-Iv SECRETARY I I