HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - PB 6-15-22 - 6-15-2022 - PRISON BOARD351
MINUTE BO0K
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR LIMITED EV316X 491 n
Minute No. PB 6-15-22 June 15, 2022
The meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held in the conference room of The
Washington County Correctional Facility,100 West Cherry Avenue, Washington, Pennsylvania, with
the following members being present: Commissioners Diana Irey Vaughan, Nick Sherman, and Larry
Maggi; President Judge John DiSalle via teleconference; District Attorney Jason Walsh; Sheriff Tony
Andronas via teleconference; and Controller April Sloane via teleconference. Also present were
Warden Jeffrey Fewell; Chaplain Mike Pierson; Deputy Warden Chris Cain; Major David Coddington;
Correctional Officer Emilee McClain; Correctional Officer Denise Dupain; Captain Chane Cisko; Intern
Gianna Peterson; Administrative and Observer -Reporter representative Mike Jones. Also present via
teleconference were Chief of Staff Mike Namie; Solicitor Jana Phillis Grimm, Finance Director Josh
Hatfield; Human Resources Director Shelli Arnold; Human Resources Generalist April Jones; Human
Services Director Kim Rogers; Chief Clerk Cindy Griffin; Administrative Assistant Joyce Thornburg;
and Justice Planners representatives Alan Richardson and Patrick Jablonski.
Mrs. Vaughan called the meeting to order at approximately 11 a.m., and Chaplain Mike Pierson
led the meeting with the invocation.
Mrs. Vaughan stated that there were changes to be made to the minutes but that they were
not available for the meeting.
Mrs. Vaughan asked if there was a motion to hold Minute No. PB 03-16-22 dated March 16,
2022, Minute No. PB 04-20-22 dated April 20, 2022 and Minute No. PN 05-18-22 dated May 18, 2022
in abeyance.
It was moved by Mr. Sherman, seconded by Mr. Maggi. The motion was carried unanimously
with the Board signifying their approval by stating "Aye"
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
Mrs. Vaughan opened a time capsule to reveal several different artifacts from the new jail's
dedication in March of 1996. Some of the artifacts revealed were an orange jumpsuit, eating utensils,
staff patches and badges, handcuff keys, inmate handbooks, photos, a hymnal, and several programs
from the dedication of the new county jail on March 29, 1996.
WARDEN'S REPORT
Income from Other Units for the Maintenance of Inmates for Mav 2022
Administrative Fee $12,222.91
Social Security $2,400.00
Tylenol $0.00
Monthly sub -total $14,622.91
Year-to-date grand total $72,182.75
Program Fees and Room and Board Income for May 2022
Billed Collected
Work Release Inmates -0- -0-
Weekend Inmates -0- -0-
Monthly sub -total -0- -0-
Year-to-date grand total -0- -0-
Status of Inmates Confined at the End of Mav 2022
Male Female Total
353
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
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that they were asked to look at recidivism and stated that the Correctional Facility has a three-year
recidivism rate of 53%. The third stat is the level of seriousness of each inmate's crime. Mr. Jablonski
stated that they categorize each inmate's offense by the most egregious crime going back to 2017 and
found that the most frequent offenses are related to violence, parole violations, and drug charges.
Mr. Jablonski stated that most jails across the United States saw significant declines during the
first wave of COVID and that there were declines when more strains of the virus were discovered. He
further stated that at present, the population at the Correction Facility has plateaued.
Mr. Jablonski stated that the average length of stay is a great indicator of future populations
and that the average length of stay is significantly higher than it was in 2019. He stated that they
compare the data that has been analyzed through the needs assessment to forecast. He further stated
that they can predict the population will decrease by 1.8% in the year 2040. Mr. Jablonski stated
Correctional Facility's highest population of inmates are males ages 20-50 and that the population of
males in that age range is expected to grow by 3.2%.
Mr. Jablonski presented four separate forecasts to help predict the population in 2048 With
the absolute maximum capacity at the current 400.
- Forecast #1 looks at growth if all else remains the same. If this is the case, the population of
inmates in 2048 will be 565.
- Forecast #2 is a worst -case scenario. It observes our growth as if bookings were to increase
to rates seen before the pandemic, while average length of stay remains the same. If this
were to occur, the population of inmates in 2048 would be 718.
- Forecast #3 is a best -case scenario. It observes our growth as if average length of stay were
to increase to rates seen before the pandemic, while bookings remain the same. If this were
to occur, the population of inmates in 2048 would be 261.
- Forecast #4 observes our growth as if average length of stay were to increase to rates seen
before the pandemic, as well as bookings. If this were to occur, the population of inmates in
2048 would be 371.
In conclusion, Mr. Jablonski stated that forecast #3 and forecast #4 would be the most ideal for
the County. He further stated that if present practices of the criminal justice system remain as they
were in early spring 2022, the required number of beds to operate a safe and secure facility will
likely eclipse 700 in 25 years. He also stated that there is a possibility to divert individuals with
mental health or chemical dependency issues to a central receiving center facility that would get the
person into treatment more quickly as opposed to being housed in the Correctional Facility. He
stated that on an average daily basis, it is projected that there could be 23 people in that type of
facility.
Mrs. Vaughan thanked Mr. Richardson and Mr. Jablonski for their presentation.
There being no further business, Mrs. Vaughan declared the meeting adjourned at
approximately
11:50 a.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
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