HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-19_Prison Board_Minute No PB 04-19-23_APPROVED 383
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR LIMITED E1316649LD _
Minute No. PB 4-19-23 April 19, 2023
The meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held in Suite G-17 of Crossroads
Center, 95 West Beau Street,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. 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; Major David
Coddington; Human Services Director Kim Rogers; Chief Deputy Sheriff Anthony Mosco; PrimeCare
Medical representatives Victoria Hallett and Sue Woznichak; Observer-Reporter representative Mike
Jones; NAACP representative David Gatling; and concerned citizen Ann K. Shaner.
Mrs. Vaughan called the meeting to order at approximately 11:00 a.m.,and Warden Fewell led
the meeting with an invocation.
Mrs.Vaughan asked if there were any corrections,additions, or omissions to Minute
No. PB 3-15-23 dated March 15, 2023.
It was moved by Mr. Sherman and seconded by Mr. Maggi, Minute No. PB 3-15-23 dated March
15, 2023, be approved. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval
by stating"Aye".
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Shaner commented on the topic of medication-assisted treatment(MAT) programs,which
was discussed at the prior Prison Board meeting. Ms. Shaner stated that while this program is not
mandated in Pennsylvania, she believes that it should be considered if the facility is experiencing
overdose deaths while in custody. She questioned how drugs are entering the facility and questioned
if the facility conducts body cavity searches. Ms.Vaughan stated that the facility does not perform
invasive searches, rather the facility utilizes a body scanner. Ms. Shaner then commented on the topic
of juvenile placements by the facility and stated her support for the County to look into housing
juveniles within our facility as opposed to placement in outside facilities.
WARDEN'S REPORT
Income from Other Units for the Maintenance of Inmates for March 2023
Administrative Fee $12,907.16
Social Security $1,600.00
Tylenol $0.00
Monthly sub-total $14,507.16
Year-to-date grand total $55,444.78
Program Fees and Room and Board Income for March 2023
Bill 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 March 2023
Male Female Total
Full-time Inmates 50 12 62
Work Release Inmates 0 0 0
Weekend Inmates 0 0 0
Male Female Total
Inmates Awaiting Trial and/or Sentencing 194 44 238
Total Inmates 244 56 300
Examinations Performed by the Physician 75
New Commitments 128
Dental Extractions 18
Medical Transports Performed by the Sheriff 12
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PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
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Contracted Housing Fee/Month $10,917.40
Yearly Total $10,917.40
Warden Fewell began by recognizing Officer Shalyn Berggren as employee of the month for
the month of March. Warden Fewell publically congratulated her for her service and noted that
Officer Berggren was not present as she was working.
Warden Fewell then presented to the Board staffing and medical cost data from other fourth-
class counties who continually share data as members of the Pennsylvania Warden's Association and
the Pennsylvania County Corrections Association. He stated that at the low end of medical costs is
Beaver County at$1.1 million and at the high end is Erie County at$2.5 million. Washington is in line
with its fellow fourth-class counties at$2 million. Warden Fewell did comment that not all facilities
are the same,with each having its own unique challenges,which is the reason for the range of
medical costs.
Warden Fewell then presented to the Board medical billing statistics, provided by PrimeCare,
which show that since April of 2021,the County has been billed over$1.4 million for medical claims
but has only paid $253,000, a savings of 83%. He further stated that this is due to contractual billing
and Medicare rates and that the partnership with PrimeCare has contributed to this service.
Warden Fewell then notified the Board that Washington County Community Services and the
Washington Trolley Museum will recognize incarcerated members of the FITS program who assisted
with repairs. The recognition will occur on April 29, 2023,at 2:00 p.m.
Warden Fewell then requested the Board enter into an executive session to discuss security,
personnel,and legal matters. Mrs.Vaughan called for an executive session at 11:09 a.m.
Mrs.Vaughan reconvened the meeting following the executive session at approximately 11:46
a.m.
Warden Fewell respectfully requested the Prison Board promote PREA and Alternative
Sentencing Coordinator Kyrie Kenyon to Captain. He further stated that Officer Kenyon has been
with the facility since September 21, 2015 and has extensive experience in jail administration and
operations.
Warden Fewell respectfully requested the Prison Board to hire the following individuals as
part-time Correctional Officers I with a start date of May 8, 2023,
Kelly Baldwin Madison Cassidy Jasmin Harris
Ryan Messmer Timothy Schill Rodney Smith
It is noted that Rodney Smith was approved for hire at the previous Prison Board Meeting.
Warden Fewell respectfully requested the Prison Board approve a renewal agreement with
the County of Allegheny for the housing of inmates. The agreement is reciprocal between both
parties with a daily housing fee of$158.04 charged by Allegheny County Jail and daily housing fee of
$87.32 charged by Washington County Correctional Facility with each facility responsible for the cost
of medical care for their placed inmates. This agreement will be effective May 1, 2023,through April
30, 2024,and is contingent upon approval at the Board of Commissioners meeting to be held April
20, 2023, Minute No. 1168.
Mrs.Vaughan requested to add to the Warden's Agenda additional items for approval by the
Prison Board. The additional items were as follows,
1. Updated Visitation Policy for all incarcerated persons in the facility in accordance with
Nationwide best practices;
2. Purchase of a Risen Stun Dynamics Capture Shield as best-practice tool for deescalating
combative incarcerated persons using humane and approved tactics;
3. Change in policy for the delivery method of attorney-client correspondence whereby the
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR LIMITED El316649LD
facility will no longer accept dropped off correspondence, rather it must be sent via U.S.
Mail; and
4. Change in policy for the digitization of family and friend mail with TextBehind and this
service will be paid for with Inmate Welfare monies.
It is noted that items 2 and 4 above are contingent upon approval at the Board of
Commissioners meeting to be held April 20, 2023, Minute No. 1168.
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".
BILLS
Ms. Sloane presented to the Board for their consideration and approval of the bills dated
April 19, 2023, in the amount of$317,505.60.
It was moved by Ms. Sloane and seconded by Mr. Sherman, approving the bills dated
April 19, 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.)
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
There being no further business, Mrs.Vaughan declared the meeting adjourned at
approximately 11:52 a.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
7 2023
ATTEST:
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