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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-19_Prison Board_PB 11-19-24_Minutes_APPROVED 459 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA IMB LIMITED E1316fi4 sLD Minute No. PB 11-19-24 November 19, 2024 The meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held in Suite G-17 of Crossroads Center at 95 West Beau Street, Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following members being present: Commissioners Nick Sherman, Electra Janis (via phone) and Larry Maggi; Judge John DiSalle; Sheriff Anthony Andronas; District Attorney Jason Walsh, and Controller Heather Sheatler. Also present were Chief of Staff Daryl Price; Solicitor Gary Sweat; Chief Clerk Cindy Griffin and Administrative Assistant Debbie Corson; Warden Jeffrey Fewell, Deputy Warden Chris Cain; Administrative Assistants Heather Wilhelm, Casey Grealish and Randi Marodi; Human Services Clinical Unit Director Rebecca Salsbury; and Correctional Facility Chaplin Mike Pierson and Deputy Controller Brittany Mosco. Mr. Sherman called the meeting to order at approximately 11 a.m. and Correctional Facility Chaplain Mike Pierson led the meeting with an invocation. Mr. Sherman entertained a motion to approve Minute No. PB 10-15-24 dated October 15, 2024. Moved by Ms. Janis to accept the minutes as written. Mr. Andronas seconded the motion to approve Minute No. PB 10-15-24 dated October 15, 2024. The motion was carried with the Board signifying their approval by stating 'Aye." PUBLIC COMMENT None. BOARD'S RESPONSE None. WARDEN'S REPORT In Correctional Facility news,Warden Fewell reported, as of this morning, December 2, 2024, the facility had a population of 327 inmates. Maintenance for Out of County Prisoners for November 2024 Administrative Fee $ 12,022.43 Social Security $0.00 Tylenol $0.00 Monthly sub-total $ 12,022.43 Year-to-date grand total $ 87,571.56 Program Fees and Room and Board Income for November 2024 Billed Collected Work Release Inmates -0- -0- Weekend Inmates -0- -0- Monthly sub-total -0- -0- Year-to-date grand total -0- -0- 460 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA IMR LIMITED E1316649LD Status of Inmates Confined at the End of November 2024 Male Female Total Full-time Inmates 54 3 57 Work Release Inmates 0 0 0 Weekend Inmates 0 0 0 Male Female Total Inmates Awaiting Trial and/or Sentencing 189 55 244 Total Inmates 243 58 301 Examinations Performed by the Physician 256 New Commitments 131 Dental Extractions 14 Medical Transports Performed by the Sheriff 30 Contracted Housing Fee/Month $6,116.67 Yearly Total $314,087.21 Warden Fewell respectfully requested the Prison Board purchase an incarceration transport van for an estimated cost of$95,000, to be paid for with Inmate Welfare Funds. When Mr. Sherman questioned such a large expenditure at a time when a significant revenue source from inmate phone calls is being eliminated, Sheriff Andronas explained the need for the second transportation van. He explained that the current van is out of service being repaired and there is no backup. He continued saying when the van is down or unavailable, the backup is to transport prisoners via SUV, which significantly decreases the number of prisoners which can be transported. Additionally, he stated currently, there is no option to transport juveniles or women with adult male prisoners. The proposed van offers a segregation solution which is not offered in the existing van. He concluded saying the new van is a safe and practical way to move prisoners. Warden Fewell explained the due to an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) order, commissions on inmate phone calls is being eliminated, which will impact the Inmate Welfare fund by a reduction of some $400,000 per year. He added that commissary monies also contribute to the Inmate Welfare Fund. Current balance in the Inmate Welfare Fund, according to the Warden, is $1.7 million. Judge DiSalle weighed in saying it makes sense to always have two vans as the county is now transporting more juveniles than in the past. He also questioned what other counties have. Sheriff Andronas answered, saying most counties have more vans than Washington does and the requested van is a staple in the industry. Mr. Walsh said, it's not taxpayer monies, it would be from inmate generated funds. He added that purchasing of this new van would absolutely affect(in a good way)how processing is done at the courts and the District Attorney's office. Deputy Warden Cain said with the only van they have out of commission, the SUVs, which can only transport two inmates at a time, does not align with the 6-12 daily inmate transports the state prefers. Sheriff Andronas the proposed van also has room for inmates to step in and out with leg irons on. Deputy Cain noted they would be able to make multiple transport pickups while on the road, due to the three-compartment design of the proposed van. Ms. Janis asked about the estimated time the current van would be out of commission. Deputy Cain said they are waiting on a fan unit which is expected to take about 15 more days. 461 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA IMR LIMi I`.=L Moving on, Warden Fewell respectfully requested the hiring of former Corrections Officer 1 Brian Dupain to Corrections Officer(part-time). He had resigned on May 27, 2024. Mr. Maggi asked if he had burned any bridges and Warden Fewell said not really. Deputy Warden Cain said he was on the fence,but Mr. Dupain is a better officer. Mr. Maggi made the motion to accept the Warden's report as presented, minus Item#2 (transportation van). Mr. Andronas seconded the motion. Chairman Sherman requested voting on the Warden's report, except for the van request. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating"Aye." Mr. Andronas made the motion to accept the Warden's request for a new inmate transportation van. Mr. Maggi seconded the motion. Chairman Sherman requested a roll call vote. Mr. Sherman and Ms. Janis both cast dissenting votes, while the remainder of the board voted for the purchase of the requested new transportation van. The motion was carried. BOARD DISCUSSION None. BILLS Ms. Sheatler presented to the Board for their consideration and approval of the bills dated November 19, 2024 in the amount of$349,634.17. A motion was made by Ms. Sheatler and seconded by Mr. Maggi, approving the bills dated November 19, 2024. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating"Aye." OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. There being no further business, Mr. Sherman adjourned the meeting at approximately 11:12 a.m. THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL: I 2024 ATTEST: r SECRETARY