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Home My WebLink AboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - PB 12-16-20 - 12-16-2020 - PRISON BOARD267 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA IMR LIMITED E1316649I n Minute No. PB 12-16-20 December 16, 2020 The meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was with the following members being present: Commissioners Diana Irey Vaughan, Nick Sherman and Larry Maggi; Judge John DiSalle; Controller Mike Namie; Sheriff Sam Romano; and District Attorney Gene Vittone. Also present: Warden Fewell; Deputy Warden Waugh; Deputy Warden Cain; Solicitor Jana Grimm; Chief of Staff John Haynes; Finance Director Joshua Hatfield; Human Resources Director Shelli Arnold; Deputy Controller Cathy Sams; Chief Clerk Cindy Griffin; Administrative Assistant Joyce Thornburg; Chaplin Mike Pierson; and Observer Reporter representative Barbara Miller. Mrs. Vaughan called the meeting to order at approximately 11:31 a.m. Mrs. Vaughan asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. PB 11-18-20, dated November 18, 2020, each member having received a copy. It was moved by Mr. Sherman and seconded by Mr. Namie that Minute No. PB 11-18-20, 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 November 2020 Administrative Fee $12,933.31 Social Security -0- Tylenol $70.27 Monthly sub -total $13,003.58 Year-to-date grand total $130,899.67 Program Fees and Room and Board Income for November 2020 Billed Collected Work Release Inmates N/A N/A Weekend Inmates N/A N/A Monthly sub -total N/A N/A Year-to-date grand total $31,296.00 $29,193.00 Status of Inmates Confined at the End of November 2020 Male Female Total Full-time Inmates 22 5 27 Work Release Inmates 0 0 0 Weekend Inmates 0 0 0 Male Female Total Inmates Awaiting Trial and/or Sentencing 194 48 242 Total Inmates 216 53 269 Male Female Total Examinations Performed by the Physician 23 18 41 New Commitments 12 Repeat Patients 29 Dental Extractions 12 Medical Transports Performed by the Sheriff 22 Contracted Housing Fee/Month $0.00 Year-to-date grand total $0.00 Warden Fewell opened with statistical and data presentations as follows: • There were 256 inmates in custody, down 27% from 2019, and during this time of year in 2018, population was also down. The gender composition is approximately 70-75% male and approximately 25-30% female. • The Warden requested a pause for Chaplain Mike Pierson to give the invocation. MR] MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD IMR LIMITED E1316649LD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA • Warden Fewell stated that, in general, inmate population declines during the holidays but that the substantial decline in population was directly related to COVID-19. • Classification - general population reflects a minimum custody population which community corrections has reported 70-75% misdemeanants in custody versus 20-30% felons. • It was determined that 187 inmates reflect a population that can be reintegrated into the community using programs that are already in place using the specialty courts that are already operational. These programs are best practices with regard to inmate reentry. • Bookings - there was a decline in the months of October and November. The two most significant declines in bookings and in population were in April and November which has been attributed to the COVID upticks. • Mentally Ill - The County provides good services and data. It is reported that some patients over 55 years of age are actively psychotic, hospitalized, and suicidal are referred to as special management populations. The pregnant population is included in this group. • MHSR-A - patients that do not have a mental health history; MHSR-B - patients that have some mental health history; and MHSR-C and MHSR-D - patients that have an active history. The facility's population shows 30% fall into groups C and D which is typical and reflects the special management population that will use most of the resources (Warden Fewell recognized Danielle of Prime Care for doing a great job in preparing this data.). • 19% of the population is receiving psychotropic medications which is normal. Mrs. Vaughan called an executive session at 11:40 a.m. to discuss personnel. Mrs. Vaughan reconvened the meeting at approximately 12:58 p.m. It was moved by Mr. Vittone and seconded by Judge DiSalle to increase inmate worker pay from $1.50/day to $3.00/day; approve the Washington Physicians contract on a month -to -month basis; purchase the key watcher system; and purchase two new pieces of kitchen equipment. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye". Mrs. Vaughan stated that once the discussion of the transitioning from part time to full time with Warden Fewell, Mr. Haynes, Mr. Namie and Mr. Hatfield takes place, this information will be forwarded to the Prison Board and then presented to and discussed by the Board of Commissioners and Salary Board. BILLS Mr. Namie presented to the Board for their consideration and approval of the bills dated December 16, 2020, in the amount of $97,418.21. It was moved by Mr. Namie and seconded by Mr. Romano approving the bills dated December 16, 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 due to time constraints, the Department of Corrections report will be discussed at the next meeting. Mrs. Vaughan noted that there will a number of action items that need to be taken especially with regard to security, inventory and of food products. Mrs. Vaughan thanked Warden Fewell for contributing a plethora of information to the Board and providing further insight to the operations of the jail. 269 MINUTE BOOK 1 I PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYL.ANIA IMR LIMITED E1$16@491 n Discussion was held regarding whether the Prison Board wanted to issue a medical services RFP or accept Prime Care's presentation materials as a professional service. The preliminary research indicates that other PA counties using Prime Care have found that it is difficult for other companies to compete with Prime Care because the other companies do not have a physical presence in Pennsylvania. Mr. Namie asked for the opinions of Warden Fewell and Deputy Wardens Waugh and Cain as to whether they had a preference as to whether to issue an RFP or to contract with Prime Care as a sole provider. Washington Hospital has indicated that it would not provide beyond the extension of the month -to -month contract until there is a conclusion. Warden Fewell noted that the RFP can be a long and extensive process. He indicated that he had reviewed Prime Care's material and is comfortable with it. Mrs. Vaughan asked if anyone was opposed to moving in this direction. Mrs. Vaughan noted that she had a conversation with President and CEO Brook Ward of Washington Health System. Mr. Ward agreed to a month -to -month contract, in the county's best interest, but established that the hospital would not be able to offer all that Prime Care can offer. Mr. Namie stated that the County will still need to have in place a contract with the hospital to handle offsite services such as x-rays, etc. Mr. Namie stated that a decision will be finalized and presented at a future meeting for approval of Prime Care. Mrs. Vaughan noted for the next meeting that Warden Fewell will discuss the Department of Corrections report and that the board will hear recommendations on action items contained in the report. There being no further business, Mrs. Vaughan declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 11:44 a.m. THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL: 1 /9lv,�lq/' , f ATTEST: SECRETARY ,2021 270 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD IMR LIMITED E1316649LD This page is blank. WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA 1