HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - PB 11-3-21 - 11-3-2021 - PRISON BOARD329
MINUTE BO0K
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
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Minute No. PB 11-3-21 November 3, 2021
The meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held in the 7th floor conference room
of Courthouse Square,100 West Beau Street, Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following members
being present: Commissioners Diana Irey Vaughan, Nick Sherman and Larry Maggi; President Judge
John DiSalle; Controller Mike Namie; and Sheriff Sam Romano. Absent from the meeting was District
Attorney Jason Walsh. Also present were First Assistant District Attorney Leslie Ridge; County
Solicitor Jana Grimm; Warden Jeffrey Fewell; Chief of Staff John Haynes; Human Resources Director
Shelli Arnold; Finance Director Josh Hatfield; Human Services Director Kim Rogers; Chief Clerk Cindy
Griffin; Administrative Assistant Joyce Thornburg; Officer Tom Bastian; Chaplain Mike Pierson;
Captain Jamie Restanio; and PREA Coordinator Kyrie Kenyon.
Mrs. Vaughan called the meeting to order at approximately 11:03 a.m., and Warden Fewell led
the meeting with the invocation.
Mrs. Vaughan asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute
No. PB 10-20-21, dated October 20, 2021, each member having received a copy.
It was moved by Mr. Sherman and seconded by Mr. Maggi that Minute No. PB 10-20-21 be
approved. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating
«
Aye »
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
WARDEN'S REPORT
Warden Fewell started off his report to the Board introducing the Employee of the Month for
October, Officer Tom Bastian. Warden Fewell stated that Officer Bastian has been with the County for
over twenty years and is a great employee
Warden Fewell stated that the population as of November 3, 2021, was down to 330 and that
the count had been fairly static over the past few months. Warden Fewell moved on to present the
COVID status stating that the inmate vaccination rate was at around 60% and that there were no other
items to report to the Board.
Warden Fewell respectfully requested the Prison Board to consider a purchase from EMCOR
(Scalise Industries) Services, of Lawrence, PA, our contract of record to replace an air compressor for
the rooftop air handling heating/ac unit at the Correctional Facility. The total cost is $17,842 and has
been recommended for Act 13 funding. This service for the Correctional Facility is contingent upon
approval at the Board of Commissioners meeting to be held November 4, 2021, Minute No. 1139.
Warden Fewell respectfully requested the Prison Board to consider the following candidates
to begin employment with the County as Corrections Officer I with a tentative start date of
November 22, 2021:
Meloney Dennis Ashley Kovalski
Jeremy Emph Ryan Ruffa
Shawn Evans Robert Thumm
LaShae Harris Dustin Van Divner
Warden Fewell updated the Board on the re-entry collaboration that is ongoing with four
agencies stating that the pilot program will be initiated identifying ten classified, screened, and
approved male minimum -to -medium custody inmates. The ten will be tested and accessed to
determine appropriate employment suitability. From assessment goes to GED and or specific career
classes to achieve appropriate career educational requirements (barber, CDL, culinary, welding)
Mrs. Vaughan called an executive session at approximately 11:09 a.m. to discuss legal and
personnel matters. Mrs. Vaughan reconvened the meeting following executive session at
approximately 11:16 a.m.
It was moved by Mr. Sherman and seconded by Mr. Maggi to approve the Warden's Report.
The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye".
330
PRISON BOARD
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OLD BUSINESS
None
MINUTE BO0K
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
NEW BUSINESS
During the previous Prison Board meeting there were discussions held with regard to a
wedding which would have been performed with no contact. Warden Fewell explained that it was his
understanding that an inmate has a constitutional right to marry, and President Judge DiSalle
concurred. President Judge DiSalle explained that marriages are performed quite often in the State
system. Mr. Maggi expressed that he was not in favor of the practice, and Warden Fewell stated that
unless there was a custody, care, control, safety or security issue that the inmate has the right to
marry while incarcerated. In response, President Judge DiSalle stated that the COVID situation would
be a valid reason for delaying a marriage request. It was noted that the marriage ceremony was
cancelled, but Solicitor Grimm stated that she would look into the matter further in response to the
Board's inquiries on how to appropriately manage potential future requests.
There being no further business, Mrs. Vaughan declared the meeting adjourned at
approximately 11:20 a.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
IV —4W.642 /0 , 2021
ATTEST:
SECRETARY
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