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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 11-P-94 - 11-30-1994 - PRISON BOARDMINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Minute No. 11-P-94 Washington County Prison Board Washington, Pa., November 30, 1994 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 Petrosky and Ford; Controller Belcastro; District Attorney Pettit and Sheriff Secreet. Absent being: Commissioner Mascara and Judge Gilmore. Also being present: Warden Pelzer; Deputy Warden Brian Hammett; Kathy Emery, Personnel Director/Solicitor; Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II; Joe Smydo, Observer -Reporter; Jim Jefferson, WJPA; and Gary Bowker of Bowker/Liebert Associates, Jail Transition Consultant. Chairman Petrosky called the meeting to order at approximately 11:35 a.m. Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Petrosky asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. 10-P-94, each member having received a copy. Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Pettit, that Minute No. 10-P-94 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 October, 1994: No monies Total Work Release and Weekenders: Work Release were billed $4,530.00 Weekenders were billed $2,420.00 Amount received $5,417.00 $70.00 was turned over to the Clerk of Courts for collection. Status of prisoners confined at the end of October,1994: MALES FEMALES TOTAL Sentenced prisoners 56 4 60 Weekend prisoners 22 3 25 Work Release 29 2 31 Home Detention Program 16 2 18 Unsentenced prisoners Awaiting sentencing 25 2 27 Awaiting trial 71 4 75 TOTAL PRISONERS 219 17 236 No. of inmates doctor saw 178 24 202 New commitments doctor saw 82 Repeat patients doctor saw 120 Sheriff transported 23 inmates Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Secreet, to approve the Warden's Report as per above. 4$5 M I N U T E PRISON BOARD BOOK WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". (Commissioner Ford entered the meeting.) Bills: Controller Belcastro presented to the Board for their consideration and approval the bills for the month of October, 1994, in the amount of $76,427.34. Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded Mr. Pettit, approving the bills for the month of October, 1994, 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.) New Business: Warden Pelzer reported to the Board that there was an escape at the jail over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (November 23rd). He went on to explain that the Sheriff investigated the incident and noted that there is some disagreement between the Sheriff, himself and the Prison Board as to who investigates the incidents that occur at the prison. Warden Pelzer noted that he gave Sheriff Secreet a copy of the policy with regards to procedures to follow in case of any death, suicide or attempt, rape or serious assault or escape. Warden Pelzer stated that he spoke to Mr. Pettit and the Washington City Police regarding this matter and the City Police stated that they did not want to step on anyone's toes so they would like some directive from the Prison Board with regards to handling of investigations of jail incidents. Sheriff Secreet stated that the problem he has is that when the incident occurred, his staff were the ones to apprehend the inmate and the ones to file charges. The problem that exists now is the City Police does not want to come in and finish the investigation simply because the Sheriff filed the charges. Sheriff Secreet pointed out that his office is capable of finishing the investigation and he also pointed out that he has no objection with the City Police coming in. He stated that the City Police are saying that the Sheriff's office intervened and now should finish the investigation. Some discussion followed on this matter. Chairman Petrosky noted that the Board at one point discussed giving the investigating responsibility to the City Police, but after reviewing meeting minutes he was not able to find any mention of an actual vote adopting that policy. He stated that the matter was originally discussed in 1989 when the State Police notified the County that they no longer wanted to be responsible for investigating Jail incidents. At that time, the Board formally discussed adopting a policy. Mr. Petrosky asked the Board members to review the policy that has been revised as of 8/30/91 as provided by Warden Pelzer and at the next meeting the Board needs to clearly delineate who has responsibilities relative to investigations and incidents at the jail. Mr. Pettit suggested that the Board take action today as he was contacted by the City Police prior to the Prison Board meeting to see if there was going to be any discussion on who was responsible for investigations of incidents at the jail. The police explained to him that they would not come into an investigation that has already been started and where charges have been filed by another agency. Discussion followed. He stated that he feels the Board should take action today in case another incident would occur before the mext meeting. Chairman Petrosky stressed the point that whatever the Board decides to do, that it should be done si • MINUTE B❑OK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA consistently each and every time because it would not be fair to the people involved if sometimes it's going to be the Sheriff, and sometimes it's going to be the City Police. District Attorney Pettit stated that a compromise in this particular situation would be for the Warden or the Sheriff or the Chairman or himself as the District Attorney to tell the City Police that the Board understands that this a variation of what usually takes place, but the Board would like them to come in and complete this investigation and if anything else occurs, the Board will call them as the current policy dictates. He would also let them know that the current policy is going to be reviewed by the Prison Board to see if there is any reason for any change, but in the interim the Board does not want any gaps; and although the Board understands that maybe this isn't something the City Police particularly wants to do, but the Board is asking their cooperation in the interest of this incident being properly handled. More discussion followed. Mr. Pettit stated that he would contact the City Detective to request the City Police to intervene and complete the investigation and let them know that they will be the ones who will be called on in all cases until such time as they have been officially notified that there has been a change in policy and that the Prison Board has indicated that it wants to review the present policy. The Board members were in agreement for District Attorney Pettit to contact the City Detective as per above. Moved by Mr. Pettit, seconded by Mr. Petrosky, that the Prison Board will basically adhere to the existing policy with the understanding that the investigation for this particular incident and all other incidents that may occur to the end of the year will be done by the Washington City Police as stated in the existing policy; and that one of the priorities for 1995 will be to revisit this policy and to determine the best action as far as the Prison Board is concerned. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating 'Aye". Special Order of Business: At this time Gary Bowker, Bowker/Liebert Associates of Colorado, gave the Prison Board a detailed presentation of the staffing and manpower needs at the new Washington County Correctional Facility. Mr. Bowker recommmended that in the new correctional facility there should be an increase in staff from 36 security officers and 8 support personnel to 59 security officers and 20 support personnel considering the size of the new facility and the direct supervision philosophy. However, he urged the Board to re-evaluate staffing needs in 3-6 months after moving into the new facility. Discussion was held regarding the scheduling of staff and the supervision of inmates in comparison with the old jail facility and its operation. Discussion was held regarding the implications of double -bunking and what steps could be taken with the staff. It was noted that if the jail was double -bunked to the maximum, there could be the possibility of violations of the prisoners' civil rights along with space standard violations; therefore, it was not recommended by Mr. Bowker. Discussion followed. Chairman Petrosky stated that in light of the fact that the County will need more money to operate the new facility, he would like to generate more revenue and that at next month's meeting he would like to A87 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA present a proposed program whereby the County can increase the amount of subsidy it receives from work release and weekenders so that they pick up a greater share in terms of their maintenance within the prison facility. He noted that currently work release inmates pay $30 a week and the weekend inmates pay $10 a day. He stated that he would like to devise a percentage of their income so that the County can generate additional revenues to somehow offset jail maintenance expenses. Mr. Petrosky stressed that this is definitely an internal problem that has to be addressed; otherwise, this will be a burden for the taxpayers. Mr. Pettit stated that he would be interested in contracting with Mr. Bowker to advise the Board as to the maximum designated areas that could be double -bunked and the implications relative thereto. He explained that there have been situations when the present facility has been filled and he actually made a decision not to do a drug raid because the current facility could not accommodate any more prisoners. Discussion followed. Chairman Petrosky stated that this is certainly something the Board could consider along with other alternative sentencing methods. There being no further business, Chairman Petrosky declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 11:45 a.m. THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL: EU.MMr, Ft;"rid.►' 1994 1