Erie County Community Corrections Advisory Board
Minutes Meeting 10 - October 4, 2011
Chair Cummings called meeting to order at 1:05 and led the Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call:
Present:
Dr. Lavonne Ansari (joined at 1:14)
William Burgin
Johnny Cabrera
Richard Carr
Anne Constantino
Barry Covert
Nan Haynes
Robert Koch
Michael Kubik
Rev. Eugene Pierce
Absent:
Karima Amin
Charles Culhane
Cheryl Green
Michael Lex
Motion by Robert Koch to approve the Minutes from Meeting 8 and Meeting 9, second by Rev. Pierce. Motion carried
Anne Constantino led a discussion of the informational discussion about the DOJ Settlement. Barry Covert added his remarks
Discussion about the way the DOJ settlement will change the delivery of services and what the barriers are to any changes at the HC.
Representatives from the HC and CF were present to talk about programs – Tim Martin from HC and Captain Tim H (??) presented on:
Conditional release for inmates
Service Action Corps (work in community – highways, parks, non profits ie: firehalls)
Sheriff Vehicle Maint facility – 4 inmates
40 inmates who work in kitchen facilities
Maintenance crews – 4 inmates
Frontrunners – move paperwork around facility, empty trash
Inmates who clean the lobby after business hours end
Inmate assigned 3 times/day to collect trash
Hazardous material crew – blood, body fluid spill or hazardous clean up
4 inmates work in library – help County Librarian
Law Clerks – no legal background or training but good at research, help other inmates
Office cleaner inmates
9 inmates work in commissary
Crew working in intake – processing (3)
Porters in each housing unit
Other inmates assigned to food service in housing units
Inmates that assist chaplains
Barber shop run by 2 inmates that are trained
Beauty shop on 2nd floor, again inmate staffed
Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous
4 churches provide bible study
Muslim studies on Sunday evenings – inmate assigned by imam to conduct
Hay program to provide to county parks and ems for fire training tower
GED for children, Alden Central School system – funding and teachers
GED for adults, also provided by Alden
Transition program run by Alden
Group ministries for transitional assistance and work, housing
Covenant house same as above
Sister Ruby Graves – “makin it seminar” to help transition
HC:
(noted higher security risk and special needs inmates)
Crew of inmates assigned to work in kitchen, early in the morning, afternoon and evening
Inmates assigned to library both BECPL and Law library
2 crews who assist with laundry services – one during day to take laundry out and exchanging, another group works at night to get laundry ready to send out to clean
3 small groups who are assigned to some janitorial duties – primarily floors
Educational opportunities provided by BPS adult learning center – designed around GED program
Testing, classes and individual attention where needed
Life skills classes – to assimilate into workforce and maintain employment
EPIC program – parenting workshops
Recreational programs
1 hour a day outdoor
Television
Library
Playing cards, board games
Religious services – catholic, protestant and muslim chaplains for services and individual counseling
Also other chaplains are available – ie: clergy
Kitchen staff can provide religious diets
Visitations – 4? Hrs week – all contact unless extenuating circumstance
Anne Constantino asked for more details about the educational evaluations and transition out of the HC.
Mr. Covert asked about the mental health screening process
Ms. Haynes asked if the forms had changed in the last 18 months. Requested a copy of the form. Mr. Koch indicated he would provide forms to Board
Mr. Cabrera asked about capacity of GED program at CF. Accommodate everyone. 16-19 year olds are required to go to school if they do not have a diploma or GED
Rev. Pierce asked if inmates are paid. Yes, small amounts. Money deposited in trust accounts to purchase telephone times or discretionary items – they can withdraw money to take home
Ms. Haynes asked who wants to work – are there more that want to work than there are positions? Yes if they are not chosen to work, are not getting education, aren’t religious or have an addiction what do they do. Answer – recreational activities, access most of the day.
Rev. Pierce asked about chaplains. Do they receive stipends? None are staff, some receive stipends
What programs are being paid for by County from budget or commissary accounts?
Mr. Koch answered that security for programs are paid for in budget
Mr. Koch mentioned military program
Discussion about re-entry and transition to community with regards to substance abuse problem or mental illness (diversion program)
Discussion of transition programs that help with housing, counseling, public assistance, etc…
Mr. Cabrera asked if there was funding available for classes do they have the space?
Mr. Koch answered that it would have to be the gymnasium
Mr. Burgin asked if there were grant writers on staff – Mr. Koch said no
Ms. Haynes asked for clarification on why the gym was not being used at the CF – same as holding center? Mr. Koch said yes, COC disallowed use
Rev. Pierce introduced report under Comptroller Naples regarding the Commissary Fund
Ms. Haynes asked if someone can come in and talk about current state of the Commissary Funds
Anne Constantino agreed and asked if the Comptroller or Sheriff office should come in to account for commissary funds
Discussion about what the role of the Board can be in both inquiring about Commissary funds and requesting action of the Legislature and information from the Comptroller and the Sheriff Dept.
Mr. Covert asked about counseling options
Mr. Kubik left the meeting
Mr. Cabrera asked if we should focus the group’s efforts on addressing one issue area at a time – educational, mental health issues, commissary funds – Dr. Ansari brought up that there is a 4th in medical area
Dr. Cummings asked if there should not be a smaller group to talk about programming/grant opportunities
Mr. Covert asked Sheriff Dept staff what was their wish list for programs that could be potentially paid for by commissary funds
Mr. Koch said he thought job training programs are a priority
Mr. Burgin talked about a state job training program that is located in Buffalo but that the County is not currently utilizing
Mr. Covert pointed out that this group could create a list of programs and prioritize for spending Commissary funds to implement
Dr. Cummings said he thought they could also look for grant funding as well
Dr. Ansari asked about programming possibilities in conjunction with colleges and universities
Dr. Cummings indicated as related issue that they would request of the Sheriff Dept and Comptroller an update on the commissary funds
Ms. Constantino asked if there could be more opportunities for inmates to take the lead on mentoring
Mr. Carr asked who would staff these programs – deputies are already over worked
Ms. Constantino also asked what kind of support is there for the corrections officers at the facilities?
Discussion of what the COC may require for minimum staffing levels at the facilities and if the Dept would be able to find and train the new deputies.
Rev. Pierce requested that we see if the next meeting could be held at the Alden facility after a tour
Clerk will send out an email to survey if members would be able to make the meeting at Alden on November 1st.
Mr. Cabrera asked if they could get a copy of the inmate orientation as well as the mental health form.
Motion to adjourn Ms. Constantino, second by Mr. Burgin
Meeting adjourned at 2:41