HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 3-P-93 - 3-10-1993 - PRISON BOARD43Y
Minute No. 3-P-93
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, Pa., March 10, 1993
The monthly meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held at
the Washington County Prison, Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following
members being present: Judge Gilmore; Commissioner Mascara; Controller
Belcastro; District Attorney Pettit; and Sheriff Fazzoni. Absent being:
Commissioners Petrosky and Ford. Also being present: Warden Pelzer; Linda
Hands, Clerk -Typist II; Jim Jefferson, WJPA; and Kathy Warco, Observer -
Reporter.
Chairman Pettit 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
February:
-0- was billed
Total Work Release and Weekenders:
Work Release were billed
Weekenders were billed
Amount received
$3,240.00
$1,920.00
$4,348.00
$120.00 was turned over to the Clerk of Courts for
collection.
Status of prisoners confined at the end of Feburary, 1993:
MALES
FEMALES
TOTAL
Sentenced prisoners
57
2
59
Weekend prisoners
37
4
41
Work Release
20
3
23
Home Detention Program
13
0
13
Unsentenced prisoners
Awaiting sentencing
$
1
9
Awaiting trial
74
2
76
TOTAL PRISONERS
209
12
221
No. of inmates doctor saw
124
11
135
New commitments doctor saw
30
Repeat patients doctor saw
105
Sheriff transported 16 inmates
Moved by Mr. Fazzoni, 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".
Bills:
Controller Belcastro presented to the Board for their consideration
and approval the bills for the month of February in the amount of $47,334.21.
PRISON BOARD
MINUTE BOOK
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Fazzoni, 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.)
Approval of Minutes:
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Fazzoni, that Minute No.
2-P-93 be approved as written, each member having received a copy. Motion
carried unanimously the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye".
Old Business:
Sheriff Fazzoni reported to the Board that inmate Robert Castner will
be coming to the jail late Monday evening for a hearing on Wednesday (March
17th) and will be sent back to Tennessee on Thursday.
(Commissioner Mascara entered the meeting.)
Discussion was held on the matter concerning the medical expenses for
a State prisoner, George Balboa, who was called to testify in the Dino Rucci
murder trial in Washington County and who needed surgery for a blocked bowel
condition while he was housed at the Fayette County Prison. The Fayette County
Prison incurred a total cost of $29,013.59 for medical and security costs for
this inmate. Commissioner Mascara suggested that since Fayette County paid the
medical bills for the inmate, Washington County should reimburse Fayette County
for inmate Balboa's medical expenses and in turn ask the State Department of
Corrections to reimburse Washington County for that amount. It was noted that
Warden Pelzer submitted a request to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
under date of February 22, 1993, requesting reimbursement of these costs.
However, under date of March 4, 1993, the Pennsylvania Department of
Corrections responded that it would not reimburse Washington County or Fayette
County for these costs; however, the Department did not cite any statute or
regulation prohibiting reimbursement. More discussion followed. Moved by
Mr. Fazzoni, seconded by Mr. Belcastro, authorizing Washington County to
reimburse Fayette County for the costs incurred as per above and for the Board
of Commissioners to pursue whatever avenues necessary to collect the costs
($29,013.59), including a lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating
It
Commissioner Mascara reported to the Board that he has been talking
with Blue Cross/Blue Shield regarding a blanket insurance policy for inmates at
the jail and that he has a verbal commitment from BC/BS to develop a program.
He also noted that at the PSACC Spring Conference on March 30th, the issue of
health care coverage for prisoners in county jails throughout the state will be
discussed.
4 4 ..
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
New Business:
Chairman Pettit brought to the Board's attention a situation to be
discussed regarding an inmate (Robert Lewis) who had been arrested on drug
charges of crack/cocaine dealing. Mr. Pettit pointed out that this inmate has
cirrhosis of the liver and cannot eliminate fluids from his body. He is a
patient at Washington Hospital with medical bills totaling approximately
$15,000, not including the cost for the Sheriff's deputies to guard him
(approximately $8,000). Chairman Pettit stated that he would monitor this
situation and keep the Board apprised of any new developments.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at
approximately 12:05 p.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
(P , 1993
ATTEST:
SECRETARY
77