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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR LIMITED F13166491 n
Minute No. PB 3-18-20 March 18, 2020
The 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 Diana Irey Vaughan, Nick Sherman and Larry Maggi; Controller Mike Namie; Judge John
DiSalle; and District Attorney Gene Vittone. Absent from the meeting: Sheriff Sam Romano. Also
present: Solicitor Jana Grimm; Warden Ed Strawn; Chief of Staff John Haynes; Finance Director Joshua
Hatfield; Human Resources Director Shelli Arnold; Chief Clerk Cindy Griffin; Administrative Assistant
Joyce Thornburg; and Observer Reporter representative Barbara Miller.
Mrs. Vaughan called the meeting to order at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Mrs. Vaughan asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute
No. PB 3-4-20, dated March 4, 2020, each member having received a copy.
It was moved by Mr. Sherman and seconded by Mr. Namie that Minute No. PB 3-4-20, be
approved. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating
„Aye„
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
WARDEN'S REPORT
Income from Other Units for the Maintenance of Inmates for February
Administrative Fee $10,686.72
Social Security $800.00
Tylenol/Medical Reimbursement $181.17
Monthly sub -total $11,667.89
Year-to-date grand total $24,231.25
Program Fees and Room and Board Income for February
Work Release Inmates
Weekend Inmates
Monthly sub -total
Year-to-date grand total
Status of Inmates Confined at the End of February
Full-time Inmates
Work Release Inmates
Weekend Inmates
Unsentenced Inmates Awaiting Sentencing and/or Trial
Total Inmates
Examinations Performed by the Physician
New Commitments
Repeat Patients
Medical Transports Performed by the Sheriff
Contracted Housing Fee/Month
Year-to-date grand total
Billed
Collected
$10,109.00
$9,702.00
$650.00
$600.00
$10,759.00
$10,302.00
$20,606.00
$20,608.00
Male
Female
Total
28
8
36
25
4
29
2
1
3
226
57
283
281
70
351
Male Female Total
54
21
75
2
73
23
$0.00
$0.00
Warden Strawn recommended to the Board to approve the hiring of Kristi Blake as a part-time LPN.
In response to Mr. Maggi's question regarding population, Warden Strawn replied that the population is
at 351 as of this report, three of which were admitted within the last 24 hours with one being a self -committed
weekend inmate.
It was moved by Mr. Sherman and seconded by Mr. Maggi, approving the Warden's Report. The
motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye".
234
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR LIMITED E1316649LD
BILLS
Mr. Namie presented to the Board for their consideration and approval of the bills dated
March 18, 2020, in the amount of $165,441.44.
It was moved by Mr. Namie and seconded by Mr. Sherman approving the bills dated
March 18, 2020. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by
stating "Aye". (See list of bills attached hereto and made a part hereof.)
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Vaughan noted that there needs to be a plan in the case of employees not being able to
perform their duties due to COVID-19. John Haynes had suggested possibly bringing in the National
Guard. Warden Strawn stated that they have emergency plans in place to help in the facility. The
Department of Corrections would make an adjustment to increase hours as a first step. Additionally,
Warden Strawn is working with the courts and adult probation to reduce the population. The Warden
believes that the National Guard would be a last resort. Mrs. Vaughan wants procedures in place and a
protocol to follow from the best case scenario to the worst case scenario. Any changes are to be reported
to the entire Prison Board, along with Human Resources Director Shelli Arnold and Chief of Staff John
Haynes.
Mrs. Vaughan stated the County is also working with the local hospitals. She added that the
correctional facility and public safety offices are areas of the County that cannot be shut down and must
be appropriately staffed. Warden Strawn brought to the Board's attention that the cells are built with
negative pressure, meaning that the air is vented up and out of the building. He also noted that the
correctional facility has more negative pressure rooms than the hospital. Mrs. Vaughan inquired with
regard to the female population and stated 70 female inmates seems to be a high number when
considering the area of confinement. Mrs. Vaughan directed Warden Strawn to be in daily
communication with the Human Resources Director and the Chief of Staff from a call off standpoint and a
change in work hours standpoint as well as the daily number of inmates so that there is constant
communication between the WCCF and County Administration.
Mr. Sherman commented that he had a conversation with President Judge Emery regarding
moving the time of headcount to 3 p.m. to alleviate pressure on the courts. He noted that thisn is not an
immediate issue.
Warden Strawn called an executive session at 11:36 a.m. to discuss a personnel -related issue.
Judge DiSalle exited the executive session at 11:50 a.m. and Mr. Vittone exited the executive session at
11:53 a.m. Mrs. Vaughan reconvened the meeting following the executive session at approximately
12:01 p.m.
There being no further business, Mrs. Vaughan declared the meeting adjourned at approximately
12:03 p.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
2020
ATTEST:
SECRETARY