HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-15_Prison Board_Minute No PB 03-15-23_APPROVED 379
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR LIMITED !<131 9LD
Minute No. PB 3-15-23 March 15, 2023
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;
Sheriff Anthony Andronas; District Attorney Jason Walsh and Controller April Sloane
(entered meeting at 11:03 a.m.). Also present were: Chief of Staff Mike Namie; Solicitor
Jana Grimm; Human Resources Assistant Director Andrea Johnston; Finance Director
Josh Hatfield; Warden Jeffrey Fewell; Chief Clerk Cindy Griffin;Administrative Assistant
Joyce Thornburg; District Court Administrator Patrick Grimm; Deputy Warden Chris
Cain; Major David Coddington; Chaplain Mike Pierson; Human Services Director Kim
Rogers; Captain-Sift Commander Shane Cisko; Administrative Assistants Marie
Trossman, Randi Marodi and Patrick Geho; PrimeCare Medical representatives Derek
Hughes, Kasey O'Neal, Lori Fischer,Victoria Hallett and Sue Woznichak; and concerned
citizen Annie Shaner.
Mrs.Vaughan called the meeting to order at approximately 11:00 a.m., and
Chaplain Pierson led the meeting with an invocation.
Mrs.Vaughan asked if there were any corrections, additions, or omissions to
Minute
No. PB 2-15-23 dated February 15, 2023.
It was moved by Mr. Sherman and seconded by Mr. Maggi, Minute No. PB 2-15-
23 date February 15, 2023,be approved. The motion was carried unanimously with the
Board signifying their approval by stating"Aye".
PUBLIC COMML;NT
None.
WARDEN'S REPORT
Income from Other Units for the Maintenance of Inmates for February 2023
Administrative Fee $13,115.34
Social Security $1,000.00
Tylenol $0.00
Monthly sub-total $14,115.34
Year-to-date grand total $40,937.62
Program Fees and Room and Board Income for February 2023
Billed Collected
Work Release Inmates -0- -0-
Weekend Inmates -0- -0-
Monthly sub-total -0- -0-
Year-to-date grand total -0- -0-
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR LIMITED E1316649LD
Status of Inmates Confined at the End of February 2023
Mali Eemale Total
Full-time Inmates 54 11 65
Work Release Inmates 0 0 0
Weekend Inmates 0 0 0
Male Female Total
Inmates Awaiting Trial and/or Sentencing 207 47 254
Total Inmates 261 58 319
Examinations Performed by the Physician 129
New Commitments 150
Dental Extractions 21
Medical Transports Performed by the Sheriff 5
Contracted Housing Fee/Month $0.00
Yearly Total $0.00
Warden Fewell began by recognizing Officer Tim Dunkle as employee of the
month for the month of February. Warden Fewell publically congratulated him for his
25 years of service and noted that Officer Dunkle was not present as he was working.
Warden Fewell then recognized the medical staff from PrimeCare Medical for
their quick response and diligent efforts during an incident in the facility that occurred
on March 7, 2023. The Prison Board thanked the medical staff for their contributions
towards the positive outcome of the incident.
Warden Fewell introduced PrimeCare Medical Vice President of Business
Development Derek Hughes to discuss a potential medically assisted treatment
program at the correctional facility. Mr. Hughes discussed the basics of a medically
assisted treatment program and the reasons why these programs are becoming
increasingly common in correctional facilities. He further stated that many states have
mandated medically assisted treatment programs in correctional facilities and while
Pennsylvania has not,they believe it will be mandated in the future. Mr. Hughes
presented a proposal to the Prison Board for their review which would provide a
dedicated licensed practical nurse, drug and alcohol counselor and other variable costs,
totaling$306,255.65 per year. Mr. Hughes noted that this cost does not include the cost
of medications, laboratory testing or drug screenings. After a lengthy discussion
amongst the board members and PrimeCare Medical staff,it was determined that there
could be a potential,worst-case scenario cost of around $1 million for a medical
assisted treatment program at the facility. The Board and Warden Fewell thanked Mr.
Hughes and the PrimeCare Medical staff for the presentation.
Warden Fewell then notified the Board that Representative Tim O'Neal and the
Pennsylvania Prison Society will visit the correctional facility for a tour on March 24,
2023.
Warden Fewell updated the Board on the FITS program and stated that there are
eight male inmates working in the FITS program and that the program is working very
well. He also stated that there has been discussion of reconvening the work release
program but stated that there are numerous external concerns. Deputy Warden Cain
proposed a work release program for offenders placed on house arrest, as opposed to
work release from the facility. He continued that if the Court determines an individual
can be diverted to house arrest,they could take part in a work release program. After a
brief discussion, Mrs. Vaughan asked Judge DiSalle if the Court would consider this
proposal. Judge DiSalle responded that the Court has been doing this to a degree but
that it could be amplified,when appropriate,after discussing the proposed
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR LIMITED E1316649LD
arrangement with Adult Probation. Judge DiSalle stated that he would meet with Adult
Probation and report back to the Board.
Warden Fewell then updated the Board on the status of housed juveniles. He
discussed that the correctional facility currently has four juveniles,housed at three
different facilities, at varying daily costs. Warden Fewell stated that some are housed at
specific facilities by court order so,they are unable to control the housing cost in that
regard.
Warden Fewell respectfully requested the Prison Board authorize the
correctional facility's participation with the National PREA Resource Center for a mock
PREA audit for training purposes. There is no cost to participate in this training with
the exception of providing transportation of audit personnel to and from the airport.
Warden Fewell respectfully requested the Prison Board authorize the
correctional facility to host use of force training with TJA. There is no cost to the County
and the County will only need to provide a training room. Mr. Hatfield informed the
Warden that the County should receive a copy of their insurance certificate, naming the
County as an additional insured, and prior to the on-site training. Mr.Andronas offered
the Sheriffs Office's training room to the Warden for the training.
Warden Fewell respectfully requested the Prison Board approve an addendum
to the current contract with Jefferson County, Ohio for the provision of five additional
detention beds,as available, at a rate of$200 per day to house juveniles charged as
adults under Pennsylvania's Direct File Statute. This addendum is contingent upon
approval at the Board of Commissioners meeting to be held March 16, 2023, Minute No.
1167.
Mrs.Vaughan asked how the correctional facility was chosen to participate with
the National PREA Resource Center. Warden Fewell stated that he had been in contact
with the National PREA Resource Center and stated that the results of this mock audit
are only recommendations. After a brief explanation of the mock audit process from
Major Coddington,he did note that there may be issues with the physical plant as
opposed to PREA compliance processes in place. Mrs. Sloane inquired as to the
potential liability for the County if the mock audit finds something that is not
immediately addressed by the County. Warden Fewell responded that the facility will
always have exposure but that they are constantly working towards complete PREA
compliance and that have the ability to take part in the no-cost audit will be extremely
helpful moving forward.
It was moved by Mr. Sherman and seconded by Mr. Maggi to accept the Warden's
Report. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval
by stating"Aye" with the exception of Mr.Walsh's abstention from voting on the
addendum with Jefferson County, Ohio for the housing of juveniles.
BILLS
Ms. Sloane presented to the Board for their consideration and approval of the
bills dated
March 15, 2023, in the amount of$303,551.96.
It was moved by Ms. Sloane and seconded by Mr. Sherman,approving the bills
dated
March 15, 2023. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their
approval by stating"Aye". (See the list of bills attached hereto and made a part hereof.)
382
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR.,LIMITED E1316649LD
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs.Vaughan called an executive session at 11:49 a.m.to discuss personnel and
litigation. Mrs.Vaughan reconvened the meeting following the executive session at
approximately 12:19 p.m.
There being no further business, Mrs. Vaughan declared the meeting adjourned at
approximately 12:19 p.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
2023
ATTEST: Z/J
SEtRLtrARY