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"Thank You Ladies"
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, August 3, 2007
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, August 3, 2007
Warden’s Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT
V. Doran, Chairperson
V. Abrunzo, Deputy Chairperson
J. Videen, Secretary
E. Munoz
G. Olmos
R. Thompson
STAFF PRESENT
K. Eichenberger, Chief Deupty Warden
J. Anderson, Captain
J. Neeley, Administrative Assistant
C. Pellizzario, Family Services Coordinator
S. McGarland
K. Freed
J. Tucker, Director of Nurses
S. Malone, Ombudsman
M. Monterrosa, Captain
L. Herron, Visiting Lt.
C. Pierini, Health Services Administrator
J. Rhoan, R&R Officer
C.Lowery, R&R Officer
J.C. Anderson, Captain
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Doran at 13:05.
A motion was brought to approve the minutes for the April 6, 2007 meeting. The motion was seconded and the minutes approved.
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1. Get on the Bus: Congratulations were expressed to all officers involved with the "Get on the Bus" program this year, especially to Visiting Lt.'s McCraw and Herron. Plans to improve and expand next year's program were briefly discussed.
2. Medical Service Delays: Discussion of delays in medical services ensued. Ms. Pierini and Nurse Tucker mentioned there were issues of overcrowding to deal with and that up to two weeks of additional delay may be experienced for routine visits. The policy stands that all request for medical evaluation are to be triaged by a Registered Nurse. If need be the inmate will be see a physician immediately after the initial evaluation or scheduled for a follow up due to overcrowding and lack of doctors. The time to see a physician has expanded to 4 weeks with the exception of emergencies. A specific case of a delay in an MRI and surgery was discussed. Inmate families are reminded that a "Release of Information" must be signed by the inmate to allow staff to discuss specific matters with family who call requesting information.
3. Property Confiscation: A follow up on the property confiscation process was requested. Specifically it was pointed out that in order for an inmate to appeal a confiscation to a Sergeant, Lieutenant or Captain they would first need permission to do so by the same officer who confiscated the property. The staff present recognized this issue and suggested the inmate seek to contact the Sergeant, Lieutenant, or Captain durning major movements, such as meals or release to a yard when the supervisory officer may be more approachable. Futher the inmate may chose to use the 602 process. It was suggested that the situation may better be resolved if the inmate not approach the supervisory stakk immediately as this may allow for a cooling off period for both the inmate and officer involved.
4. Hobby Craft Purchases: A follow up on hobby craft purchases was requested. According to Mr. Freed, all purchases of hobby crafts must come from the inmates' account and cannot be contained in quarterly boxes or special purchase orders nor may be purchased by family. The regulations governing this matter are in the DOM and changes to this procedure must come from Sacramento.
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5. Digital TV: An update on the digital TV conversion (from the current analog signal), was provided by Ms. Doran and Sara Malone. The conversion from analog to digital may not be until 2009. At present, the permission to sell a digital to analog converter has been approved by Sacramento but as of yet is not available by vendors. Inmates may want to consider holding off on such purchases until more is known about the cost, need and availability of converters.
6. Visitor Form Approvals: The approval of visiting forms has been shortened to two to four weeks from the previous six weeks. The increase in processing time was due to the Get on the Bus program.
7. Inmate Bathroom Breaks: Delays in inmate bathroom breaks during visiting were discussed. Lt. Herron stated that breaks are to be provided every 45 to 60 minutes, but explained that delays somtimes do occur due to the number inmates being processed into visiting from the yards. Bathroom breaks for inmates should never exceed 1 hour 15 minutes. If this does occur the on-site officer should be made aware of the situation and/or Lt. Herron advised. Lt. Herron assured the IFC that special requests from an inmate to use the restroom durning non break times would not necessarily result in the termination of the inmate's visit. Each occurrence would be judged independently.
8. Visiting Terminations: Involuntary termination of visits due to the number of visitors is expected to take effect soon. Request for volunteers would be issued first. If there are insufficient volunteers willing to terminate their visits to make room for incoming visitors than involuntary termination based on a first come rule will be utilized. Visitors who travel greater than 250 miles and have not visited in the last 30 days will not be subject to termination.
9. Visiting -- Getting an Extra Day: An extra visiting day was approved at CIW. When it was brought up about VSPW gaining an additional day, it was pointed out that VSPW and CCWF used their pool of money to provide for the Chowchilla Express. It was not clear if an extra day would be considered for VSPW in the future, if visiting terminations became excessive.
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10. Non-Contact Visits: As overcrowing has affected the Ad Seg and Reception yard visitors also, it was mentioned that Non-Contact visits will be at least one hour and not more than two hours.
11. Visiting Room Exit Procedure: Lt. Herron also mentioned the exit procedure from the visiting room was that the inmate and visitor were to say their goodbyes at the guard podium, then the visitor checks his belongings with the guard after the inmate leaves. The visitor is to exit via a route by the windows and not have further contact with the inmate after belongings are verified.
12. Dayroom Bunks: The new dayroom bunks were discussed. In some housing units up to 36 bunks have been placed into the dayroom to provide beds for overcrowding. Two former inmate rooms have been emptied and converted to give the dayroom inmates bathing and bathroom facilities. It was asked if the bunks still remain unbolted and it was addressed that there are no plans to bolt the bunks down and staff believe they are safe. IT was discussed that some inmates prefer to be housed in the open area.
13. Honor Dorm Regs: Questions about the Honor Dorm were raised as an increased level of violence has been noticed. Criteria for entry into the Honor Dorm was not available at this time. Lt. Neeley will provide Ms. Doran with copies of regulations that govern this program.
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14. Phone Access: Inmate access to phones during approved times is the job of the housing officer. Inmates are asked to relay the names of officers who fail to open doors in a timely fashion for phone call slots to Lt. Neeley.
15. Stop The Violence Program: Ms. Malone announced a "Stop the Violence" program consisting of contacts with inmates to maintain a nonviolent lifestyle. Peace day was announced for August 26th, and will offer assistance for inmates as victims of violence.
16. Christmas Goodie Bags 2008: Plans for Christmas Goodie bags for 2008 were discussed and approval will be sought to give inmates a small gift consisting of blank holiday cards, candy and hygiene items. Similar programs have been successful at CIW and CCWF.
17. Visiting Room Mural Artwork & Donations: Donations for the artwork in the Visiting room were solicited as a jungle theme was announced for the second children's room.
18. Special Thanks: Both Lt. Neeley and Nurse Tucker were thanked in their efforts to expedite visitation to ill inmates this past month.
19. Heatwave Information: The Heatwave was discussed and so far it has been thankfully cooler than last year. The previous year's discussion of partial, temporary window coverings during the hottest part of the day was mentioned and will be researched by Lt. Neeley.
Minutes prepared by John Videen
The next meeting will be held on October 5, 2007 at 1:00 pm
The meeting was adjourned at 14:15.
V. Doran, Chairperson
V. Abrunzo, Deputy Chairperson
J. Videen, Secretary
E. Munoz
G. Olmos
R. Thompson
STAFF PRESENT
K. Eichenberger, Chief Deupty Warden
J. Anderson, Captain
J. Neeley, Administrative Assistant
C. Pellizzario, Family Services Coordinator
S. McGarland
K. Freed
J. Tucker, Director of Nurses
S. Malone, Ombudsman
M. Monterrosa, Captain
L. Herron, Visiting Lt.
C. Pierini, Health Services Administrator
J. Rhoan, R&R Officer
C.Lowery, R&R Officer
J.C. Anderson, Captain
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Doran at 13:05.
A motion was brought to approve the minutes for the April 6, 2007 meeting. The motion was seconded and the minutes approved.
Return to Top
1. Get on the Bus: Congratulations were expressed to all officers involved with the "Get on the Bus" program this year, especially to Visiting Lt.'s McCraw and Herron. Plans to improve and expand next year's program were briefly discussed.
2. Medical Service Delays: Discussion of delays in medical services ensued. Ms. Pierini and Nurse Tucker mentioned there were issues of overcrowding to deal with and that up to two weeks of additional delay may be experienced for routine visits. The policy stands that all request for medical evaluation are to be triaged by a Registered Nurse. If need be the inmate will be see a physician immediately after the initial evaluation or scheduled for a follow up due to overcrowding and lack of doctors. The time to see a physician has expanded to 4 weeks with the exception of emergencies. A specific case of a delay in an MRI and surgery was discussed. Inmate families are reminded that a "Release of Information" must be signed by the inmate to allow staff to discuss specific matters with family who call requesting information.
3. Property Confiscation: A follow up on the property confiscation process was requested. Specifically it was pointed out that in order for an inmate to appeal a confiscation to a Sergeant, Lieutenant or Captain they would first need permission to do so by the same officer who confiscated the property. The staff present recognized this issue and suggested the inmate seek to contact the Sergeant, Lieutenant, or Captain durning major movements, such as meals or release to a yard when the supervisory officer may be more approachable. Futher the inmate may chose to use the 602 process. It was suggested that the situation may better be resolved if the inmate not approach the supervisory stakk immediately as this may allow for a cooling off period for both the inmate and officer involved.
4. Hobby Craft Purchases: A follow up on hobby craft purchases was requested. According to Mr. Freed, all purchases of hobby crafts must come from the inmates' account and cannot be contained in quarterly boxes or special purchase orders nor may be purchased by family. The regulations governing this matter are in the DOM and changes to this procedure must come from Sacramento.
Return to Top
5. Digital TV: An update on the digital TV conversion (from the current analog signal), was provided by Ms. Doran and Sara Malone. The conversion from analog to digital may not be until 2009. At present, the permission to sell a digital to analog converter has been approved by Sacramento but as of yet is not available by vendors. Inmates may want to consider holding off on such purchases until more is known about the cost, need and availability of converters.
6. Visitor Form Approvals: The approval of visiting forms has been shortened to two to four weeks from the previous six weeks. The increase in processing time was due to the Get on the Bus program.
7. Inmate Bathroom Breaks: Delays in inmate bathroom breaks during visiting were discussed. Lt. Herron stated that breaks are to be provided every 45 to 60 minutes, but explained that delays somtimes do occur due to the number inmates being processed into visiting from the yards. Bathroom breaks for inmates should never exceed 1 hour 15 minutes. If this does occur the on-site officer should be made aware of the situation and/or Lt. Herron advised. Lt. Herron assured the IFC that special requests from an inmate to use the restroom durning non break times would not necessarily result in the termination of the inmate's visit. Each occurrence would be judged independently.
8. Visiting Terminations: Involuntary termination of visits due to the number of visitors is expected to take effect soon. Request for volunteers would be issued first. If there are insufficient volunteers willing to terminate their visits to make room for incoming visitors than involuntary termination based on a first come rule will be utilized. Visitors who travel greater than 250 miles and have not visited in the last 30 days will not be subject to termination.
9. Visiting -- Getting an Extra Day: An extra visiting day was approved at CIW. When it was brought up about VSPW gaining an additional day, it was pointed out that VSPW and CCWF used their pool of money to provide for the Chowchilla Express. It was not clear if an extra day would be considered for VSPW in the future, if visiting terminations became excessive.
Return to Top
10. Non-Contact Visits: As overcrowing has affected the Ad Seg and Reception yard visitors also, it was mentioned that Non-Contact visits will be at least one hour and not more than two hours.
11. Visiting Room Exit Procedure: Lt. Herron also mentioned the exit procedure from the visiting room was that the inmate and visitor were to say their goodbyes at the guard podium, then the visitor checks his belongings with the guard after the inmate leaves. The visitor is to exit via a route by the windows and not have further contact with the inmate after belongings are verified.
12. Dayroom Bunks: The new dayroom bunks were discussed. In some housing units up to 36 bunks have been placed into the dayroom to provide beds for overcrowding. Two former inmate rooms have been emptied and converted to give the dayroom inmates bathing and bathroom facilities. It was asked if the bunks still remain unbolted and it was addressed that there are no plans to bolt the bunks down and staff believe they are safe. IT was discussed that some inmates prefer to be housed in the open area.
13. Honor Dorm Regs: Questions about the Honor Dorm were raised as an increased level of violence has been noticed. Criteria for entry into the Honor Dorm was not available at this time. Lt. Neeley will provide Ms. Doran with copies of regulations that govern this program.
Return to Top
14. Phone Access: Inmate access to phones during approved times is the job of the housing officer. Inmates are asked to relay the names of officers who fail to open doors in a timely fashion for phone call slots to Lt. Neeley.
15. Stop The Violence Program: Ms. Malone announced a "Stop the Violence" program consisting of contacts with inmates to maintain a nonviolent lifestyle. Peace day was announced for August 26th, and will offer assistance for inmates as victims of violence.
16. Christmas Goodie Bags 2008: Plans for Christmas Goodie bags for 2008 were discussed and approval will be sought to give inmates a small gift consisting of blank holiday cards, candy and hygiene items. Similar programs have been successful at CIW and CCWF.
17. Visiting Room Mural Artwork & Donations: Donations for the artwork in the Visiting room were solicited as a jungle theme was announced for the second children's room.
18. Special Thanks: Both Lt. Neeley and Nurse Tucker were thanked in their efforts to expedite visitation to ill inmates this past month.
19. Heatwave Information: The Heatwave was discussed and so far it has been thankfully cooler than last year. The previous year's discussion of partial, temporary window coverings during the hottest part of the day was mentioned and will be researched by Lt. Neeley.
Minutes prepared by John Videen
The next meeting will be held on October 5, 2007 at 1:00 pm
The meeting was adjourned at 14:15.
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