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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-18_Prison Board_PB 11-18-25_Minutes_APPROVED 513 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA IMR LIMITED E1316649LD Minute No. PB 11-18-25 November 18, 2025 The meeting of the Washington County Prison Board was held in Public Meeting Room G-16 in Crossroads Center, 95 W. Beau St., Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following members being present: Commissioners Nick Sherman, Electra S. Janis and Larry Maggi; President Judge Valarie Costanzo; Sheriff Anthony Andronas; District Attorney Jason Walsh; and Controller Heather Sheatler. Also present were County Administrator Daryl Price; Chief Clerk Cindy Griffin; Solicitor Gary Sweat; Human Resources Director Andrea Johnston; Warden Jeffrey Fewell, Deputy Warden Christopher Cain and Chaplain Michael Pierson; Court Administrator Daniel Buzard; Administrative Assistants Debbie Corson, Heather Wilhelm, Casey Grealish and Randi Marodi; Finance Director Adam Petris; Human Services Administrator Dr. John Tamiggi; and Public Affairs Director Nicole Ford. Mr. Sherman called the meeting to order at approximately 10:33 a.m. and Chaplain Michael Pierson led the meeting with an invocation. Mr. Sherman entertained a motion to approve Minute No. PB 10-14-25 dated October 14, 2025. Moved by Ms. Janis to accept the minutes as written. Mr. Maggi seconded the motion to approve Minute No. PB 10-14-25 dated October 14, 2025. The motion was carried with the Board signifying their approval by stating 'Aye." PUBLIC COMMENT None. BOARD'S RESPONSE None. WARDEN'S REPORT Warden Fewell requested an executive session for personnel reasons. Mr. Sherman asked if it would be okay to move executive session to the end of the meeting. Warden Fewell agreed. Warden Fewell reported there was a fire in the laundry area at 10 p.m. on November 17,2025. This fire reportedly started as a spark in one of the dryers, which smoldered and then caught fire spreading to another dryer. Warden Fewell said the fire happened when the laundry was closed, and no one was in there. Deputy Warden Cain noted that everything worked as planned with security checks, moving of inmates, and headcounts of all 355 inmates were taken twice. Additionally, he said emergency services were alerted,responded rapidly and everything is up and functioning as normal. Warden Fewell said they believe it could have been some sort of chemical reaction from the uniforms,which were in the dryer at the time of the fire. He continued, saying they would be reaching out to Allegheny County for help with their laundry needs until the laundry room could be back up and functional. Other options mentioned were City Mission, or a commercial laundromat. His final comment was that the entire event was turned over to the insurance company and everything is being documented and recorded. The entire incident was caught on video surveillance equipment, according to the Warden. 514 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA IMR LIMITED E1316649LD In other Corrections business, Warden Fewell reported that the inmate telephone rates will be significantly dropping, effective April, 2026, as per the FCC's (Federal Communication Commission's)mandate. • Effective April, 2026,rates will drop from 21 cents/minute to 11 cents/minute • The county will receive approximately $42,000 in revenue, versus the$336,000 the county is currently receiving • The county stands to lose approximately $294,000 in yearly revenues. Warden Fewell said the Board may need to offset these losses with a renegotiation of commissary items The Board discussed options on recouping lost funding,but nothing was resolved. Maintenance for Out of County, Prisoners for November 2025 Administration Fee $8,539.00 Social Security $0.00 Tylenol $0.00 Monthly Sub-total $8,539.00 Year-to-date GRAND TOTAL $115,083.69 Pro<_,ram Fees, R&B Income Billed Collected Work Release Inmates $0.00 $0.00 Weekend Inmates $0.00 $0.00 Monthly Sub-total $0.00 $0.00 Year-to-date GRAND TOTAL $0.00 $0.00 Facility Population for November 2025 Sentenced Male Female Total Full-time 45 7 52 Work Release Inmates 0 0 0 Weekend Inmates 0 0 0 Inmates Awaiting Trial and/or 216 52 268 Sentencing Grand Total 261 59 320 Examinations Performed By Phi sician for November 2025 Examinations 104 New Commitments 179 Dental Extractions 13 Medical Transports by Sheriff 13 Contracted Housing Fee/Month $0.00 Yearly Total $389,154.00 Mr. Sherman entertained a motion to accept the Warden's report as presented. Ms. Janis made the motion, and Mr. Maggi seconded it. The motion was unanimously carried with the Board signifying their approval by stating"Aye." 515 MINUTE BOOK PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA IMR LIMITED E1316649LD_ BOARD DISCUSSION None. BILLS Ms. Sheatler presented to the Board for their consideration and approval of the bills dated November 18, 2025 in the amount of$525,413.01. A motion was made by Ms. Sheatler and seconded by Ms. Janis, approving the bills dated November 18, 2025. The motion was carried unanimously with the Board signifying their approval by stating"Aye." OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Sherman asked for the Board and the Wardens to "sharpen their pencils"with regard to the budget, asking to discuss the contract with PrimeCare and Vivitrol use. Mr. Maggi said let's put this contract out to bid, since the contract expires December 2025. Discussion ensued among Board members with Mr. Sherman asking if PrimeCare can reduce their rates, or if the Board could see about getting a doctor to come in and perform medical services. Court Administrator Dan Buzard asked about bringing in a doctor and staff. Mr. Sherman entertained a motion to request that the Purchasing Department draft a request for proposal (RFP) as a cost saving measure and do a feasibility study for medical services at the Correctional Facility. Mr. Sherman continued, saying that once the PrimeCare contract is expired, it will revert to a month-to-month basis. Mr. Maggi made the motion, and Ms. Janis seconded it. The motion was unanimously carried with the Board signifying their approval by stating"Aye." The Board then went into executive session for personnel matters. Upon return from executive session, Mr. Sherman entertained a motion to terminate the employee recommended by the Warden. Ms. Janis made the motion, and Mr. Maggi seconded it. The motion was unanimously carried with the Board signifying their approval by stating"Aye." There being no further business, Mr. Sherman adjourned the meeting at approximately 11:05 a.m. THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL: �� a ova" ATTEST: SECRETARY