HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 3-P-98 - 3-18-1998 - PRISON BOARDMINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
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Minute No. 3-P-98
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, Pa., March 18, 1998
The Washington County Prison Board was held in the Washington County Correctional Facility,
Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following members being present: Commissioners J. Bracken Burns, Sr. and
Joseph A. Ford, Sr.; Controller Belcastro; District Attorney Pettit and Sheriff Larry Maggi. Absent being:
Commissioner Diana L. Irey and Judge Gilmore. Also being present: Warden Pelzer; Bill McGowen, Director of
Administration; Linda Hands, Secretary; Joe Smydo, Observer -Reporter; Kathy Thomas, Valley Independent and
Jim Jefferson, WJPA.
Commissioner Burns called the meeting to order at approximately 11:35 a.m. asked if there were any
corrections to Minute No. 2-P-98 each member having received a copy.
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Ford, that Minute No. 2-P-98 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 m.aintePanse of prisoners for February. 1998:
Other Counties (Greene and Fayette) $ 4,120.00
U. S. Marshal $ 3,650.00
U. S. Immigration $ 4,650.00
Administrative Fee $ 1,359.73
Monthly Sub -Total $ 13,779.73
Year to date GRAND TOTAL $ 27,623.50
Program Fees and Room: and Board Income for the Month of February
E&d Collected
Work Release/Home Detention $ 7,532.00 $ 7,687.00
Weekenders $ 2,366.00 $ 2,472.00
Turned over to Clerk of Courts (Minus) $ 425.00
Adjustments made to billings (Minus) $ 490.00
Monthly Sub -Total $ 9,898.00 $10,159.00
Year to date GRAND TOTAL $ 21,613.00 $20,682.00
Status of prisoners confined at the end of February. 1998:
MALES
FEMALES
TOTAL
Full Time
77
8
85
Work Release
44
3
47
Weekend prisoners
54
10
64
Home Detention Program
1
1
2
•
Unsentenced prisoners
Awaiting sentencing and/or
trial
85
10
95
TOTAL PRISONERS
261
32
293
m
PRISON BOARD
MINUTE
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WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Examinations performed by the
physician
Initial Exams
Repeat Exams
MALES
183
Medical Transports performed by the Sheriff 4
FEMALES
38
TOTAL
221
82
139
Warden Pelzer stated that the Controller's Office conducted the annual audit of the Correctional Facility
and reported that there were no problems.
Warden Pelzer brought to the Board's attention correspondence he received from Chief Ed Cochran from the
City of Washington Police and to the members of the Prison Board regarding the refusal of the Correctional Facility
to accept a drunken prisoner. Warden Pelzer stated that he explained to the officers that brought the prisoner in
the Correctional Facility that the prisoner should be taken to Washington Hospital for medical treatment prior to
commitment in the Correctional Facility. (The prisoner was a known alcoholic). Warden Pelzer noted that Chief
Cochran did not agree with this procedure.
Commissioner Burns questioned Warden Pelzer as to whether he has been in contact with Chief Cochran
regarding this issue. Warden Pelzer stated that he was in contact with Chief Cochran and it is his understanding
that the City Police want some type of option from the County and/or Prison Board of what to do in a situation
such as this. Some discussion was held as to what criteria should be used to determine whether to refuse a prisoner.
Commissioner Burns suggested using the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) test to determine if a prisoner
should be incarcerated or taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
Sheriff Maggi stated that State Police require medical evaluations for all prisoners with a BAC of .3 or higher
before taking the prisoner to the county jail.
Warden Pelzer stated that he has looked into the matter of possibly purchasing a Breathalyzer or intoxilizer
for the county prison for the staff to use as a guideline. He further stated that a standard of a BAC of 2.5 or 3.0
could be used. The cost to run this test would be from $300.00 to $6,000.00 per intoxilizer. Warden Pelzer noted
that this type of situation does not happen often, but it is possible it could occur in the future. A discussion
followed.
Commissioner Ford questioned Warden Pelzer as to whether the county bills police departments for the use
of holding cells for prisoners who are drunk and need to sober up. Warden Pelzer replied that the county does not
charge a fee but pointed out that once a prisoner is admitted, it becomes the County's responsibility.
District Attorney Pettit stated that he was aware that the City of Washington Police has holding cells in the
police department where drunks can sober up. Mr. Pettit noted that this particular intoxicated prisoner should
have stayed in police department and not the Correctional Facility.
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Commissioner Burns noted that a severe level of intoxication could determine a "medical crisis" and
expressed concern about liability if the Warden were to accept an intoxicated prisoner who later died in his cell. He
pointed out that the Warden needs a policy the Prison Board on the subject of intoxicated prisoners.
Warden Pelzer explained to the Board members that this not the first time that an incident of this nature has
occured. The Warden told that in the past, intoxicated prisoners were not admitted to the jail until they had
medical treatment at the hospital. Warden Pelzer noted that he is required by Correctional Institute Title 37 to
have the jail physician exam a prisoner immediately. Warden Pelzer stated that he does not have a physician at the
jail 24 hours a day. Subsequently, based on the criteria in Title 37 he refused this prisoner.
It was the consensus of the Board that Warden Pelzer continue to use his discretion while the Board studies
the feasibility of purchasing a machine to determine blood alcohol levels.
Commissioner Burns noted for the record that he was in disagreement with the current policy stating that
the criteria is too subjective.
District Attorney Pettit suggested that the Board investigate the costs involved for devices and the training of
personnel and report any information back to the Prison Board.
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Ford, to accept the Warden's Report. 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, 1998 in the amount of $58,258.33.
Moved by Mr. Belcastro, seconded by Mr. Ford, approving the bills for the month of February, 1998.
Motion carried unanimously by the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". (See list of bills attached
hereto and made a part hereof.)
There being no further business, Vice -Chairman Burns declared the meeting adjourned at approximately
12:15 p.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR ROYAL:
M
1998
ATTEST:
SECRETARY