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Logo Created By VSPW Graphic Arts Program
"Thank You Ladies"
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, February 6, 2009
Warden’s Conference Room
Logo Created By VSPW Graphic Arts Program
"Thank You Ladies"
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, February 6, 2009
Warden’s Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT
V. Abrunzo, Chairperson
V. Doran, Deputy Chairperson
J. Erb, Secretary
E. Muniz
GUESTS
None
STAFF PRESENT
Chief Deputy Warden Davis
Administrative Assistant Lt. J. Neeley
Community Partnership Manager P. Untalon
Visiting Lt. K. Diaz
Assistant Warden (A) L. Peterson
Education Department B. Thatcher
education Department Z. Patrick
Business Services A. Nelson
Business Services M. Mokhtar
Canteen D. Rock
AWBS C. Callahan
AW Health W. Miller
Central Service Division Captain J. Rivera
H&CS R. Padilla
Mailroom J. Donner
Prior meeting minutes were NOT presented.
Chief Deputy Warden Davis (Note: Mr. Kent Eichenberger is currently the Acting Warden) informed us that our meeting is for one hour and our agenda appears long. Chief Deputy Warden Dobson-Davis stated that at 20 minutes to 14:00 she would ask us to prioritize the remaining issues.
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1. FOLLOW-UP ON DONATIONS: Letters of Thank You for the playing cards and crayons for Visiting and the Education supplies are to be sent and the IFC Chairperson will be cc’ed. VSPW staff intends to submit thank you letters 144 decks of playing cards for Visiting, the half case of crayons for the Children’s Visiting Areas, and the supplies for the Postsecondary Education Program; and may have on occasion without the IFC member’s knowledge. The IFC Chair reminded staff that Thank You letters will encourage more donations. All agreed.
2. SIGNING DOCUMENTS IN VISITING: Discussed policy for bringing in documents for inmates to sign such as Power of Attorney. Documents are allowed but must be reviewed and pre-approved by the Visitation Supervisor. No prior notice is required before the visitation day.
3. CHANGES IN RULES, OPERATION PROCEDURES (OPs) AND THE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS MANUAL (DOM): IFC Chair requested that we be notified of any changes in OP’s or DOM’s. This was discussed and Chief Deputy Warden Davis said we would be notified about changes that impact the IFC only. Other OP’s or DOM’s will not be shared, according to Chief Deputy Warden Davis.
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4. ISSUES IN EDUCATION
a. VSPW College Programs Discontinued: Per Principal Zachary Patrick, currently VSPW is not supplying any resources to college program nor do they intend to. Background was provided regarding a 20/20 story produce years ago highlighting the fact that the State is paying for inmates to go to college. Because of the publicity all college programs were discontinued.
b. Education & Recidivism: IFC Chair brought forth studies identifying the advantages to educating inmates and decreased levels of recidivism. Chief Deputy Warden Davis stated that she had access to the same studies and it basically did not matter, college courses would not be funded or supplied by VSPW.
c. College Funding at VSPW: IFC member asked about discretionary funds being used to buy paper and scantrons, probably a couple of thousand dollars a year. IFC was informed that there are no discretionary funds at VSPW.
d. State Spending Guidelines on College: Chief Deputy Warden Davis did state that VSPW is following the State guidelines and really does not have a choice in the matter. She implied VSPW is pleased with the volunteer effort and outside support for the college program.
e. College Supply Donations Needed: Mr. Thatcher admitted that they are short of supplies for the college program and has asked the IFC for any support they can provide, paper, scantrons, etc.
f. No Donations Accepted if Maintenance is Required: V. Doran offered a copier for the program. She was told it would be accepted but if it required maintenance it would not be done. VSPW evaluates donations to ensure they will not incur support cost to keep a donation in working order.
Return to Top
5. MAIL AND PACKAGES: The IFC had received complaints that mail and packages are not arriving timely. Chief Deputy Warden Davis said she personally visited the mailroom and they are not behind. Mail they were sorting was from that day, prior mail had already been distributed. Chief Deputy Warden Davis requested we provide her with examples of late mail and she will try to figure out the problem and address it.
6. IFC COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND INMATES
a. IFC Recruitment in Visiting: The Chair brought up the issue of IFC recruitment. He reviewed alternatives for contact with other visitors and asked what staff input was, having taken this issue under submission at the last meeting.
b. IFC Brochures in Visiting: Brochures are fine as modified and will be put in the visitation room.
c. IFC Receives Permission to Discuss Issues with Visitors: Chief Deputy Warden Davis stated that it is OK for IFC members to talk about IFC issues with other family members in the visitation room. She would let the staff monitoring the visitation rooms know about that decision.
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7. CHRISTMAS GOODIE BAGS: Charlie Eaton has indicated an intent to resign, subject to written confirmation, from the IFC. Ms. Eaton was heading up the Christmas Goodie Bag Project. The IFC Chair said he would find out the status of the Goodie Bags and contact Capt. Neeley about a time and process to distribute the bags. Distribution did not occur at Christmas, due to a serious illness by the coordinator of the effort.
8. INDIGENT KIT: discussion tabled for another meeting.
9. "TRACS" ACCOUNTING SYSTEM (Trust Restitution Accounting Canteen System)
TRACS is the new inmate funds tracking system. TRACS has been up and running since late summer of 2008.
a. Restitution & Trust Accounting Information: Restitution fines and amount withheld from inmate funds is governed through TRACS by Title 15 Section 3097 and Penal Code 2805.5. The Business Office provides account balances to inmates monthly. VSPW staff believes there is no inappropriate delay in monthly statements or funds posted to inmate accounts. Once again the IFC was asked to provide specific examples so VSPW staff can tract down the problem.
Return to Top
b. Complaints about Trust Accounting: Chief Deputy Warden Davis believes there are a small number of issues where Trust Accounting has not provided some information, and that this is not a big item. She requested that we keep track of any complaints. We agreed and will track the complaints.
10. LAVATORIES ON THE GENERAL YARD: IFC members had received complaints about the bathrooms on the general yard being closed.
Chief Deputy Warden Davis said she checked and the bathrooms are open.
11. CANTEEN
a. Raising Canteen Costs: IFC questioned the raising of canteen prices as gas and other costs fall. VSPW staff said they try to buy at the best price they can. Many of the items are under contract for the purchase and sales price. Other items are bought and marked up fairly. VSPW staff believes a comparison with outside costs will show that their items are competitively priced. IFC was referred to headquarters staff, Mr. Don Price.
b. Lockdown and Canteen Shopping: IFC received complaints that inmates were not allowed to shop in December. VSPW staff stated there was a unique situation where during a lock down some inmates were turned away. This is a rare event and will not happen frequently. The inmates that were turned away were allowed to shop another day.
Return to Top
12. NEW CDCR FORMS (MEDICAL, DNR): The IFC has copies of the new Medical Directive form, the Medical Disclosure form and the "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) form. The IFC has been been informed, however, that a memo has recently announced a delay in the implementation of the Medical Information Release form, until it can be determined how these procedures will apply to dental and mental health issues.
13. INMATES TURNED AWAY FROM MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS: Ms. Doran brought up that she had received some complaints about people being turned away from medical appointments on 2/2 and 2/3 of 2009. VSPW staff said that they did not have an RN on duty and those appointments had to be rescheduled. Chief Deputy Warden Davis said staff will make sure that any copay taken from inmate accounts will be returned or the appointment rescheduled.
14. PROPERTY FOR AD SEG AND SHU: Yes, different property matrixes exist for SHU and Ad Seg, separate and different from what is allowed the general population. SHU (Segregated Housing Unit) is the Prison inside the prison and Ad Seg (Administrative Segregation) is the jail as people are being evaluated for violations. They may either be released or sent to SHU. The Property Matrix for Ad Seg and SHU can be found on the DOM on the internet, or at our IFC website at WWW.VSPW-IFC.COM
Return to Top .
Meeting adjourned at 14:04
Next meeting to be held on April 3, 2009 at one o’clock PM. Lt. Neeley will let IFC Chair know if the meeting room will not be available for the informal meeting of the IFC in the hour prior to the next scheduled meeting with staff.
2009 Meeting Calendar - Remaining Dates:
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
V. Abrunzo, Chairperson
V. Doran, Deputy Chairperson
J. Erb, Secretary
E. Muniz
GUESTS
None
STAFF PRESENT
Chief Deputy Warden Davis
Administrative Assistant Lt. J. Neeley
Community Partnership Manager P. Untalon
Visiting Lt. K. Diaz
Assistant Warden (A) L. Peterson
Education Department B. Thatcher
education Department Z. Patrick
Business Services A. Nelson
Business Services M. Mokhtar
Canteen D. Rock
AWBS C. Callahan
AW Health W. Miller
Central Service Division Captain J. Rivera
H&CS R. Padilla
Mailroom J. Donner
Prior meeting minutes were NOT presented.
Chief Deputy Warden Davis (Note: Mr. Kent Eichenberger is currently the Acting Warden) informed us that our meeting is for one hour and our agenda appears long. Chief Deputy Warden Dobson-Davis stated that at 20 minutes to 14:00 she would ask us to prioritize the remaining issues.
Return to Top
1. FOLLOW-UP ON DONATIONS: Letters of Thank You for the playing cards and crayons for Visiting and the Education supplies are to be sent and the IFC Chairperson will be cc’ed. VSPW staff intends to submit thank you letters 144 decks of playing cards for Visiting, the half case of crayons for the Children’s Visiting Areas, and the supplies for the Postsecondary Education Program; and may have on occasion without the IFC member’s knowledge. The IFC Chair reminded staff that Thank You letters will encourage more donations. All agreed.
2. SIGNING DOCUMENTS IN VISITING: Discussed policy for bringing in documents for inmates to sign such as Power of Attorney. Documents are allowed but must be reviewed and pre-approved by the Visitation Supervisor. No prior notice is required before the visitation day.
3. CHANGES IN RULES, OPERATION PROCEDURES (OPs) AND THE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS MANUAL (DOM): IFC Chair requested that we be notified of any changes in OP’s or DOM’s. This was discussed and Chief Deputy Warden Davis said we would be notified about changes that impact the IFC only. Other OP’s or DOM’s will not be shared, according to Chief Deputy Warden Davis.
Return to Top
4. ISSUES IN EDUCATION
a. VSPW College Programs Discontinued: Per Principal Zachary Patrick, currently VSPW is not supplying any resources to college program nor do they intend to. Background was provided regarding a 20/20 story produce years ago highlighting the fact that the State is paying for inmates to go to college. Because of the publicity all college programs were discontinued.
b. Education & Recidivism: IFC Chair brought forth studies identifying the advantages to educating inmates and decreased levels of recidivism. Chief Deputy Warden Davis stated that she had access to the same studies and it basically did not matter, college courses would not be funded or supplied by VSPW.
c. College Funding at VSPW: IFC member asked about discretionary funds being used to buy paper and scantrons, probably a couple of thousand dollars a year. IFC was informed that there are no discretionary funds at VSPW.
d. State Spending Guidelines on College: Chief Deputy Warden Davis did state that VSPW is following the State guidelines and really does not have a choice in the matter. She implied VSPW is pleased with the volunteer effort and outside support for the college program.
e. College Supply Donations Needed: Mr. Thatcher admitted that they are short of supplies for the college program and has asked the IFC for any support they can provide, paper, scantrons, etc.
f. No Donations Accepted if Maintenance is Required: V. Doran offered a copier for the program. She was told it would be accepted but if it required maintenance it would not be done. VSPW evaluates donations to ensure they will not incur support cost to keep a donation in working order.
Return to Top
5. MAIL AND PACKAGES: The IFC had received complaints that mail and packages are not arriving timely. Chief Deputy Warden Davis said she personally visited the mailroom and they are not behind. Mail they were sorting was from that day, prior mail had already been distributed. Chief Deputy Warden Davis requested we provide her with examples of late mail and she will try to figure out the problem and address it.
6. IFC COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND INMATES
a. IFC Recruitment in Visiting: The Chair brought up the issue of IFC recruitment. He reviewed alternatives for contact with other visitors and asked what staff input was, having taken this issue under submission at the last meeting.
b. IFC Brochures in Visiting: Brochures are fine as modified and will be put in the visitation room.
c. IFC Receives Permission to Discuss Issues with Visitors: Chief Deputy Warden Davis stated that it is OK for IFC members to talk about IFC issues with other family members in the visitation room. She would let the staff monitoring the visitation rooms know about that decision.
Return to Top
7. CHRISTMAS GOODIE BAGS: Charlie Eaton has indicated an intent to resign, subject to written confirmation, from the IFC. Ms. Eaton was heading up the Christmas Goodie Bag Project. The IFC Chair said he would find out the status of the Goodie Bags and contact Capt. Neeley about a time and process to distribute the bags. Distribution did not occur at Christmas, due to a serious illness by the coordinator of the effort.
8. INDIGENT KIT: discussion tabled for another meeting.
9. "TRACS" ACCOUNTING SYSTEM (Trust Restitution Accounting Canteen System)
TRACS is the new inmate funds tracking system. TRACS has been up and running since late summer of 2008.
a. Restitution & Trust Accounting Information: Restitution fines and amount withheld from inmate funds is governed through TRACS by Title 15 Section 3097 and Penal Code 2805.5. The Business Office provides account balances to inmates monthly. VSPW staff believes there is no inappropriate delay in monthly statements or funds posted to inmate accounts. Once again the IFC was asked to provide specific examples so VSPW staff can tract down the problem.
Return to Top
b. Complaints about Trust Accounting: Chief Deputy Warden Davis believes there are a small number of issues where Trust Accounting has not provided some information, and that this is not a big item. She requested that we keep track of any complaints. We agreed and will track the complaints.
10. LAVATORIES ON THE GENERAL YARD: IFC members had received complaints about the bathrooms on the general yard being closed.
Chief Deputy Warden Davis said she checked and the bathrooms are open.
11. CANTEEN
a. Raising Canteen Costs: IFC questioned the raising of canteen prices as gas and other costs fall. VSPW staff said they try to buy at the best price they can. Many of the items are under contract for the purchase and sales price. Other items are bought and marked up fairly. VSPW staff believes a comparison with outside costs will show that their items are competitively priced. IFC was referred to headquarters staff, Mr. Don Price.
b. Lockdown and Canteen Shopping: IFC received complaints that inmates were not allowed to shop in December. VSPW staff stated there was a unique situation where during a lock down some inmates were turned away. This is a rare event and will not happen frequently. The inmates that were turned away were allowed to shop another day.
Return to Top
12. NEW CDCR FORMS (MEDICAL, DNR): The IFC has copies of the new Medical Directive form, the Medical Disclosure form and the "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) form. The IFC has been been informed, however, that a memo has recently announced a delay in the implementation of the Medical Information Release form, until it can be determined how these procedures will apply to dental and mental health issues.
13. INMATES TURNED AWAY FROM MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS: Ms. Doran brought up that she had received some complaints about people being turned away from medical appointments on 2/2 and 2/3 of 2009. VSPW staff said that they did not have an RN on duty and those appointments had to be rescheduled. Chief Deputy Warden Davis said staff will make sure that any copay taken from inmate accounts will be returned or the appointment rescheduled.
14. PROPERTY FOR AD SEG AND SHU: Yes, different property matrixes exist for SHU and Ad Seg, separate and different from what is allowed the general population. SHU (Segregated Housing Unit) is the Prison inside the prison and Ad Seg (Administrative Segregation) is the jail as people are being evaluated for violations. They may either be released or sent to SHU. The Property Matrix for Ad Seg and SHU can be found on the DOM on the internet, or at our IFC website at WWW.VSPW-IFC.COM
Return to Top .
Meeting adjourned at 14:04
Next meeting to be held on April 3, 2009 at one o’clock PM. Lt. Neeley will let IFC Chair know if the meeting room will not be available for the informal meeting of the IFC in the hour prior to the next scheduled meeting with staff.
2009 Meeting Calendar - Remaining Dates:
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
