HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 1-P-95 - 1-25-1995 - PRISON BOARD491
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Minute No. 1-P-95
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, Pa., January 25,1995
The Annual Reorganization and monthly meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held
in the 7th Floor Conference Room, Courthouse Square, Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following
members being present: Commissioners Petrosky and Ford; Controller Belcastro; District Attorney Pettit and
Sheriff Secreet. Absent being: Judge Gilmore and Commissioner Bassi. Also being present: Warden
Pelzer; Sam Marra, Director of Administration; Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II; Jim Jefferson, WJPA; Linda
Ritzer, Observer -Reporter and Chris Enzerra, Herald -Standard.
Presiding Chairman Petrosky called the meeting to order at approximately 11:40 a.m. and entertained
nominations for Chairman, Vice -Chairman and Secretary.
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Pettit, nominating Mr. Petrosky as Chairman of the Prison
Board for 1995. Motion carried by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye." Mr. Ford voted
"No".
Moved by Mr. Petrosky, seconded by Mr. Pettit, nominating Mr. Bassi as Vice -Chairman of the Prison
Board for 1995. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye".
Moved by Mr. Petrosky, seconded by Mr. Secreet, nominating Mr. Belcastro as Secretary of the Prison
Board for 1995. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye".
Meeting Dates and Times:
It was the consensus of the Board that the Prison Board meet on the dates listed below which coincide
with the same week of a bi-weekly meeting of the Board of Commissioners:
January 25
February 8
March 8 (at Jail)
April 19
May 17
June 14 (at jail)
Approval of Minutes:
July 12
August 9
September 20 (at Jail)
October 18
November 15
December 13 (at jail)
Chairman Petrosky asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute
No. 12-P-94, each member having received a copy. Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr.
Secreet, that Minute No. 12-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:
1
Income from other units for the maintenance of prisoners for December, 1994:
No monies
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA
Total Work Release and Weekenders:
Work Release were billed $2,400.00
Weekenders were billed $2,380.00
Amount received $3,360.00
$40.00 was turned over to the Clerk of Courts for collection.
Status of prisoners confined at the end of December. 1994:
MALES
FEMALES
TOTAL
Sentenced prisoners
49
2
51
Weekend prisoners
29
4
33
Work Release
16
1
17
Home Detention Program
12
4
16
Unsentenced prisoners
Awaiting sentencing
15
1
16
Awaiting trial
80
6
86
TOTAL PRISONERS
201
18
219
No. of inmates doctor saw
155
19
174
New commitments doctor saw
56
Repeat patients doctor saw
118
Bills:
Sheriff transported 13 inmates
Controller Belcastro presented to the Board for their consideration and approval the bills for the
month of December,1994, in the amount of $50,192.49.
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Ford, approving the bills for the month of December 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.)
Old Business:
Relative to the matter of the availability of Mr. Bowker of Bowker/Liebert Associates, Jail Transition
Consultants, to increase his role as far as consulting services in connection with the issue of double -bunking
in the future, Warden Pelzer noted that he contacted Mr. Bowker and his proposal is forthcoming.
Chairman Petrosky directed Warden Pelzer to distribute copies of this proposal to the Board members once
he receives it. Some discussion followed regarding the completion date of the new justice center. It was
noted that the construction completion date is targeted for late July and the transition completion date is
targeted for October/November.
Relative to the matter of investigation of incidents at the County Jail, it was noted that the
investigation of the incident that occurred on November 23,1994 (escape by inmate Jack McCartney) has
been settled.
Concerning the issue of adoption of a policy establishing what agency has the authority to investigate
incidents at the Jail, Sheriff Secreet stated that he has spoken to Warden Pelzer and the City Police in great
detail about this matter and he has no problem with the City Police continuing to investigate jail incidents
with the understanding that he is notified in the proper fashion and he also reserves the right to conduct
investigations when he deems it necessary. He stated that his intent is to professionalize and upgrade the
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
integrity of his office and he does not want to get into any jurisdictional battle as he feels he has a good
working relationship with both the City Police and State Police. Discussion followed.
(Kathy Thomas of the Valley Independent entered the meeting.)
Moved by Mr. Pettit, seconded by Sheriff Secreet, that the Washington County Prison Board, as
constituted here in January of 1995, adopt a policy in regard to the investigation of criminal incidents or
alleged criminal incidents at the jail be investigated by the City of Washington Police Department. In the
event the Sheriff's Department is requested to assist in a jail break and in the event a member of the
Sheriff's Department apprehends the escaped prisoner, a deputy sheriff as designated by Sheriff Secreet will
be named as the Arresting Officer. However, the City of Washington Police will continue as the primary
agency to investigate all other aspects of the escape. Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying
their approval by stating "Aye".
There being no further business, Chairman Petrosky declared the meeting adjourned at approximately
12:15 p.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
, 1995
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