HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 9-P-95 - 9-20-1995 - PRISON BOARD509
Minute No. 9-P-95
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, Pa., September 20, 1995
The monthly meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held in the Washingotn County
Jail, Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following members being present: Commissioners Petrosky, Bassi
and Ford; Controller Belcastro; and Sheriff Secreet. Absent being: Judge Gilmore and District Attorney
Pettit. Also being present: Warden Pelzer; Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II; Stacy Pokorny, Secretary; Jim
Jefferson, WJPA; and Jon Stevens, Observer -Reporter.
Chairman Petrosky called the meeting to order at approximately 11:40 a.m. and asked if there
were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. 8-P-95, each member having received a copy.
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Bassi, that Minute No. 8-P-95 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 Auitust,1995:
No monies
Total Work Release and Weekenders:
Work Release were billed
$4,050.00
Weekenders were billed
$1,560.00
Amount received for August
$7,474.50
Amount received year-to-date
$61,604.50
No monies were turned over to the Clerk of Courts for collection.
Status of prisoners confined at the end of August, 1995:
MALES FEMALES TOTAL
Sentenced prisoners 47 7 54
Weekend prisoners 17 0 17
Work Release 24 0 24
Home Detention Program 11 14 25
Unsentenced prisoners
Awaiting sentencing
24
4
28
Awaiting trial
57
7
64
TOTAL PRISONERS
180
32
212
No. of inmates doctor saw
155
28
183
New commitments doctor saw
63
Repeat patients doctor saw
120
Sheriff transported 19 inmates
Warden Pelzer presented to the Board a copy of the proposed Policies and Procedures Manual for the
new Correctional Facility. Warden Pelzer stated that he would like the Board to review the manual and
possibly adopt it at the next Prison Board meeting. He also stated that the Correctional Officers and staff
are currently participating in an intense four -week training program. He provided to the Board members a
copy of the training program's agenda.
510
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA
Warden Pelzer provided to the Board members a copy of a letter that he received from Gary Bowker
of Bowker/Liebert Associates, Jail Consultants, in which he commended Warden Pelzer and the transition
team members for the excellent "Instructor Guide" and "Officer Training Manual" which was prepared for
the intense training program in preparation for facility activation. The Jail Consultants had made an on -site
visit on September 7th and 8th and observed the transition team members conducting training with the new
recruits.
Commissioner Bassi questioned Warden Pelzer regarding the telephone policy in the
manual and asked if it differs from the current policy that is in effect. Warden Pelzer stated it is
entirely different from the current policy due to a totally new facility as well as preventing a similar
situation which occurred with inmate Balboa.
Commissioner Ford requested that Warden Pelzer provide to the Board of Commissioners as well as
the Prison Board a report showing staff training costs to date as well as projections for continued staff
training costs in order for future Boards to budget accordingly.
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Bassi, to accept 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 August, 1995, in the amount of $40,114.09.
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Bassi, approving the bills for the month of August 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:
Chairman Petrosky noted that he had recently distributed to the Board members a copy of the latest
jail inspection report submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections which noted the
Department's concerns relative to the following items in the new correctional facility: (1) cell doors and
locks; (2) porcelain toilets and sinks; (3) drop ceilings in the kitchen area; (4) supervision of the female area;
and (5) implementation of a "Gender Neutral" policy in the entire facility including the female housing area.
Warden Pelzer stated that he has contacted the Jail Consultants as well as the National Institute of
Corrections (NIC) and they are both addressing the Department's concerns. He stated that the architect's
(Apostolou Associates) security consultant is also addressing these concerns. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Bassi stated that he wanted to publicly congratulate Dr. Bernard A. Staskiewicz, a
retired W&J College chemistry professor, and Bob Sweeney, a retired Washington policeman, for
demonstrating a wonderful attitude toward public service. He stated that these individuals have conferred
with him about a proposal whereby they would be willing to volunteer their services to prisoners who
cannot read or write or are unable to communicate in written form with either family or loved ones. They
would also be willing to counsel the families of prisoners or anything else that the Warden might suggest.
He has discussed this with Warden Pelzer and these individuals are in the process of completing a volunteer
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MINUTE
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVAN'IA
program form wherein they will delineate the voluntary services that they intend to perform. It was noted
that there are other individuals who currently volunteer their services at the jail. Commissioner Bassi
suggested that some special commendation be made to these individuals by the Prison Board and/or the
Board of Commissioners.
There being no further business, Chairman Petrosky declared the meeting adjourned at approximately
11:38 a.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
J- , 1995
ATTEST: rt AD +.�^
SECRETARY
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