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"Thank You Ladies"
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, August 8, 2008
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 8, 2008
Warden’s Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT
V. Doran, Chairperson
V. Abrunzo, Deputy Chairperson
J. Videen, Secretary
R. Thompson
E. Muniz
C. Eaton
J. Erb
Guests: P.Childress of Chapel of Grace, Dutch Fulton
STAFF PRESENT
T. Hornbeak Warden
Miller, AW
J. Anderson, Capt.
T. Scott, Capt.
P.Untalon, Community Partnership Manager
J. Neeley, Lt.
M. Wilson, Appeals/Legal
S. Simmons, O.T.
D. Jacobsen, Visiting Lt.
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Doran at 13:05 Return to Top
1. Family Visiting Vacancies: A question regarding Family Visiting Vacancies was addressed by Lt. Jacobsen, who stated all four units are open and fully scheduled but last minute cancellations cause the vacancies. The most common reason for the cancellation is failure to return the required paperwork or money in time for processing. Filling a vacancy only can be practically accomplished it there is a 14 day notice.
2. Lawn Watering at Visiting: Lawn watering durning visiting was found to be due to a power outage that reset the sprinkler system and has been corrected.
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3. Visiting Delays: Delays for inmate released for visiting was discussed as some inmates from certain yards seem to be affected. This was identified as non-policy and will be addressed by administration.
4. Religious Service Ducats: Ducats for religious services have been delayed or denied over the last few weeks, includng priority ducats. This may have been due to staffing level shortages and the over whelming number of inmates wishing to attend services when the chapel only seats 125 at a time. The date and time of the incidents was forwarded to Administration to be investigated.
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5. IFC Minutes: The IFC Minutes have still not been updated in the Visiting Center and the working policy to have Lt. Neeley forward the approved minutes to Lt. Jacobsen was reiterated.
6. Inmate Winter Clothing: Winter clothing for inmates at work is provided by the State and includes weather appropriate gear such as gloves and hats. Personal items such as scarves, caps and gloves are not allowed and should be left in rooms. Personal shoes and long underwear are acceptable.
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V. Doran, Chairperson
V. Abrunzo, Deputy Chairperson
J. Videen, Secretary
R. Thompson
E. Muniz
C. Eaton
J. Erb
Guests: P.Childress of Chapel of Grace, Dutch Fulton
STAFF PRESENT
T. Hornbeak Warden
Miller, AW
J. Anderson, Capt.
T. Scott, Capt.
P.Untalon, Community Partnership Manager
J. Neeley, Lt.
M. Wilson, Appeals/Legal
S. Simmons, O.T.
D. Jacobsen, Visiting Lt.
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Doran at 13:05 Return to Top
1. Family Visiting Vacancies: A question regarding Family Visiting Vacancies was addressed by Lt. Jacobsen, who stated all four units are open and fully scheduled but last minute cancellations cause the vacancies. The most common reason for the cancellation is failure to return the required paperwork or money in time for processing. Filling a vacancy only can be practically accomplished it there is a 14 day notice.
2. Lawn Watering at Visiting: Lawn watering durning visiting was found to be due to a power outage that reset the sprinkler system and has been corrected.
Return to Top
3. Visiting Delays: Delays for inmate released for visiting was discussed as some inmates from certain yards seem to be affected. This was identified as non-policy and will be addressed by administration.
4. Religious Service Ducats: Ducats for religious services have been delayed or denied over the last few weeks, includng priority ducats. This may have been due to staffing level shortages and the over whelming number of inmates wishing to attend services when the chapel only seats 125 at a time. The date and time of the incidents was forwarded to Administration to be investigated.
Return to Top
5. IFC Minutes: The IFC Minutes have still not been updated in the Visiting Center and the working policy to have Lt. Neeley forward the approved minutes to Lt. Jacobsen was reiterated.
6. Inmate Winter Clothing: Winter clothing for inmates at work is provided by the State and includes weather appropriate gear such as gloves and hats. Personal items such as scarves, caps and gloves are not allowed and should be left in rooms. Personal shoes and long underwear are acceptable.
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7.
Phone Release Times:
Release for phone time was discussed. It is policy that inmates are to be released for properly scheduled phone slots and deviations/denials have been attributed to training problems. Administration will address the issue.
8. Night Yard Cancellation: Cancellation of night yard times recently was blamed on medical transport activity.
9. Heat Mediation Issues: Heat mediation issues were discussed. It was clarified that ice water is provided in igloos, not ice per se. There are no plans for permanent window shading and temporary window shading will only be considered in extreme heat emergencies. No heat strokes have been seen in the Infirmary.
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10. Ignored or Misplaced 602's: Misplaced or ignored 602's were discussed and it was clarified that inmates have the misperception that all 602's are logged. If the appeal requires an informal level response the appeal is forwared to the appropriate area and it is not logged. If the inmate claims staff is not responding to this formal level, the inmate should list dates of previous 602's on a new 602 and this new 602 will be assigned to the Division Head as a formal appeal and then be logged Administration feels the communication between inmates and staff is adequate and well informed inmates have no trouble filing appeals. This year's formal appeal count of 1490 has exceeded the 1343 filed at this same time last year.
11. Books on CD: A delay in circulating books on CD was questioned and found to be due to the lack of clear plastic CD covers. This was temporarily solved by zip lock bags and proper covers are on order. Donations of clear plastic cases will be accepted and appreciated.
12. Medicine Line: Long waits in the medicine line of up to an hour was acknowledged and discussed. Inmates are provided shade, benches and misters while they wait.
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13. Property Exchange: Issues regarding property exchange were discussed. IFC had heard there were several problems with resolving disputes over missing property on inmate's property lists. Administration felt there was no problem here as WAC did not bring up this issue. A detailed example was provided and stated that it had ben resolved. Failure to issue colored hair ties and other personal items to inmates from quarterly packages was resolved by retraining through the 602 process. Inmates who feel property is improperly confiscated are to attach the confiscation receipt with a 602.
14. Hygiene Shortage: A shortage of hygiene products had been brought to the attention of the IFC, But the Warden and Staff believe there are always adequate supplies and that whe supplies are low the reason is due to inmate hoarding. Yard Captains are capable of requesting emergency supplies if needed, but no such request has been made. The Warden is following this issue closely as cost have increased.
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8. Night Yard Cancellation: Cancellation of night yard times recently was blamed on medical transport activity.
9. Heat Mediation Issues: Heat mediation issues were discussed. It was clarified that ice water is provided in igloos, not ice per se. There are no plans for permanent window shading and temporary window shading will only be considered in extreme heat emergencies. No heat strokes have been seen in the Infirmary.
Return to Top
10. Ignored or Misplaced 602's: Misplaced or ignored 602's were discussed and it was clarified that inmates have the misperception that all 602's are logged. If the appeal requires an informal level response the appeal is forwared to the appropriate area and it is not logged. If the inmate claims staff is not responding to this formal level, the inmate should list dates of previous 602's on a new 602 and this new 602 will be assigned to the Division Head as a formal appeal and then be logged Administration feels the communication between inmates and staff is adequate and well informed inmates have no trouble filing appeals. This year's formal appeal count of 1490 has exceeded the 1343 filed at this same time last year.
11. Books on CD: A delay in circulating books on CD was questioned and found to be due to the lack of clear plastic CD covers. This was temporarily solved by zip lock bags and proper covers are on order. Donations of clear plastic cases will be accepted and appreciated.
12. Medicine Line: Long waits in the medicine line of up to an hour was acknowledged and discussed. Inmates are provided shade, benches and misters while they wait.
Return to Top
13. Property Exchange: Issues regarding property exchange were discussed. IFC had heard there were several problems with resolving disputes over missing property on inmate's property lists. Administration felt there was no problem here as WAC did not bring up this issue. A detailed example was provided and stated that it had ben resolved. Failure to issue colored hair ties and other personal items to inmates from quarterly packages was resolved by retraining through the 602 process. Inmates who feel property is improperly confiscated are to attach the confiscation receipt with a 602.
14. Hygiene Shortage: A shortage of hygiene products had been brought to the attention of the IFC, But the Warden and Staff believe there are always adequate supplies and that whe supplies are low the reason is due to inmate hoarding. Yard Captains are capable of requesting emergency supplies if needed, but no such request has been made. The Warden is following this issue closely as cost have increased.
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15.
Healthier Food:
A request for healthier food on canteen was apparently rejected by WAC, according to Mr. Rock the canteen manager. The issue was brought to a vote as a limited number of items can be placed on the canteen list and adding a new item would mean termination of another.
16. Spoiled Canteen Food: Spoiled perishable food from canteen such as tortillas or pastries can be exchanged without a receipt. There is no limitation on perishable items. Exchanges of nonperishable items require a receipt.
17. Spoiled Juice: Spoiled Juice in the dining room has been recognized as a frequent problem and cartons are exchanged promptly. This ia a vendor issue and not something occurring at the facility level.
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18. Digital TV Converters: Digital TV converters have not been approved and it is now understood that they will not be approved. The CDC is lookig into a cable distribution system. Most TVs in use now are expected to work when broadcasters switch next year, but older sets may not.
19. Inmate Welfare Fund: Questions raised by the IFC regarding the Inmate Welfare Fund were submitted in writing and the answers received at the meeting. The responses will be analyzed and discussed at the next meeting.
20. New Chapel Plans: Plans to buils a new Chapel were presented to the IFC and a short DVD was shown. The 300 seat all-faith Chapel will be built by private funds with a tentativie compleation date in 2010. $500,000 of a budget of $3 million has already been collected. Contributions for the 503(c) Charity can be made online at www.chapelofgrace.com. Administration has provided assurance that the facility will never be used for housing of inmates except in case of disasters such as earthquake or fire.
Return to Top
16. Spoiled Canteen Food: Spoiled perishable food from canteen such as tortillas or pastries can be exchanged without a receipt. There is no limitation on perishable items. Exchanges of nonperishable items require a receipt.
17. Spoiled Juice: Spoiled Juice in the dining room has been recognized as a frequent problem and cartons are exchanged promptly. This ia a vendor issue and not something occurring at the facility level.
Return to Top
18. Digital TV Converters: Digital TV converters have not been approved and it is now understood that they will not be approved. The CDC is lookig into a cable distribution system. Most TVs in use now are expected to work when broadcasters switch next year, but older sets may not.
19. Inmate Welfare Fund: Questions raised by the IFC regarding the Inmate Welfare Fund were submitted in writing and the answers received at the meeting. The responses will be analyzed and discussed at the next meeting.
20. New Chapel Plans: Plans to buils a new Chapel were presented to the IFC and a short DVD was shown. The 300 seat all-faith Chapel will be built by private funds with a tentativie compleation date in 2010. $500,000 of a budget of $3 million has already been collected. Contributions for the 503(c) Charity can be made online at www.chapelofgrace.com. Administration has provided assurance that the facility will never be used for housing of inmates except in case of disasters such as earthquake or fire.
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21.
Christmas Goodie Bags:
Planning for Christmas Goodie Bags was discussed and a prototype will be available for the next meeting A target delivery date for 4200 bags to VSPW was set for December 5, 2008.
The meeting was adjourned at 15:15.
The next meeting was moved back to October 3, 2008.
The meeting was adjourned at 15:15.
The next meeting was moved back to October 3, 2008.
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