Return to Meeting Archives
Logo Created By VSPW Graphic Arts Program
"Thank You Ladies"
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, October 3, 2008
Warden’s Conference Room
|
Christmas Goodie Bags
College Education Program Digital Television Mailing In Pictures |
Photos in Visiting Project
Senior Living -- Silver Bells Special Purchase Events Visiting Processing Center |
Logo Created By VSPW Graphic Arts Program
"Thank You Ladies"
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, October 3, 2008
Warden’s Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT
V. Doran, Chairperson
V. Abrunzo, Deputy Chairperson
J. Erb Acting Secretary
R. Thompson
E. Muniz
D. Fulton
Guests: Peggy Giesbriet / GOTL
STAFF PRESENT
Capt. J. Anderson
Community Partnership Manager, P. Untalon
Lt. J. Neeley
M. Connony
R. Armstrong
R. Carothers
S. Simmons
G.A. Colmenero
J. River
C Etcheschera
C. Pellizzain
The meeting was called to order by IFC Chairperson Victoria Doran at 13:18 PM. Prior meeting minutes were presented. A motion to approve and second carried.
Return to Top
1. Senior Living, Silver Bells: Clarification was given:
1. Senior Living-area where senior inmates are housed. This helps them to be separated from some of the issues created by younger inmates.
2. Silver Bells are older long term inmates -- they do not necessarily live in the Senior Living Area. Often they bring issues related to senior living forward.
-VSPW Staff are going to provide Operating Procedures(OPs) for Senior Living in the future.
-Senior Living Opreating Procedures (OPs) are up for revision; addendums to the OPs can always be added if important issues arise.
-VSPW will apply the CDCR Department Operational Manual (DOM) as a minimum. If they believe more clarifcation is required they will incorporate it into a local Operation Procedure (OP) or Department Operations Manual (DOM) Supplement as deemed appropriate.
-Laundry procedures are are being looked into.
2. College Education Program: -We are six weeks into the current semester and mid-terms coming up in a few weeks.
-There are approximately 460 inmates enrolled in Coastline Community College and 30 enrolled in other programs.
-The Education Department has started an evening program that involves rotating yards, to bring in inmates one evening a week to watch viedos related to classes and receive help with homework. Each yard will be invited every three weeks.
- A new staff person was introduced and will be helping with college program.
-The Education Department will provide a list of items they would like to have donated. They do not need computers at this time, as there is no space for more. Only certain software programs will be supported by the Information Technololy staff. IFC Chair, Ms. Doran, stated she had a number of computers to donate if needed.
3. Photos in Visiting Project: -VSPW bought a digital camera and is in the process of buying a photo printer. This will be offered at visitation instead of the polaroid prints.
-VSPW has no plans for changing the photo ducat price.
4. Visiting Processing Center: -Lt. Neeley will look at the proposed changes to the IFC brochures and hopefully approve the changes.
-VSPW staff would like to review changes before they are placed in the visiting waiting room.
-Ms Doran mentioned that she will occasionally be approached by visitors and their inmate while in the visiting room. She asked if this was ok since visiting between other visitors is not encouraged. Lt Neeley thought it would be best to refer any approaching visitors to the IFC brochure where contact information is available for the IFC Chair. They will try to keep some in the visitation room. Contact is bound to happen and should be kept reasonable.
-Documents and paperwork may be approved in visiting, but the approval must come prior to the visit. The approval should be worked out with the Visiting Lt. This issue was clarifired and additional verbage was put in the VSPW DOM Supplement by Lt. Neeley, to assit in how these types of issues should be handled. A copy of the Visiting Procedures, DOM Supplement, was provided to the IFC.
Return to Top
5. Digital Television: -Analog TV's will be out soon. VSPW is not supplying coverters. Inmates will have to get a new TV.
-Ms Doran asked if inmates replacing analog TV's could get a discount through one of the prison providers. The IFC was advised it would not be appropriate for VSPW staff to request discounts from the vendors. This would be up to the IFC or any individual requesting a discount to contact the vendor on their own.
6. Special Purchase Events: -No published schedule
-Sometimes these events are approved just 3 days before the event. Usually it's known that an event is being requested but has not been approved until about a month before the event is to take place. Based on the lack of the Warden's overall approval, it's not always possible for all events to be on the event calender when it's published at the begining of each month.
-The WAC or othe groups usually sponsor the event to raise money for a specific project. The approval process can be long. Recyling proceeds are returned to the General Fund, and not used for inmate projects. Visitation recycling is considered "Hot Trash" and is not recycled as there is the potential it could contain contraband.
7. Mailing In Pictures: -No change
-You can still send 20 pictures to an inmate.
8. Ducats: AREAS OF COMPLAINTS
-Inmates are complaining that some of the ducats (Church/Education) are not being honored by VSPW staff. In addition, if they are not honored and they do not show up, for school as an example, they will get a write up:
Two issues:
1. Ducats not honored
2. Write-ups (115's) being given for not attending when the ducat was not honored by VSPW staff.
VSPW staff does not believe this ia a widespread problem. Education staff claims they have issued a 115 once for an inmate not attending a test and the inmate failed to show up a few times before the 115 was issued.
The Ducat Process:
1. Ducats can either be high priority (White) or general (yellow).
2.Ducats are handed out the day before.
3.A list of the day's ducats are posted on each unit for all inmates to view.
4.General ducats are more likely to be denied. They are usually events the inmates want to attend where priority ducates are for thins like doctor visits.
5. Hundreds of ducats are issued daily to assist in tracking inmate movment and help with inmate security.
6. A "No Show" report is issued for inmates that do not keep their scheduled appointments.
7. If the Inmate has a valid excuse the "No Show" is dismissed. If not a 115 can be written and the inmate will have a disciplinary hearing with an opportunity to explain themselves.
9. Christmas Goody Bags: -Items given to Lt. Neeley for approval.
-Yellow ribbon to be included, Lt. Neeley requested dimensions of the ribbon.
-GOTL need an approval by email soon.
-Bags must be completed by December 5th and are to be delivered on December 8th.
-Zip-Lock bags are fine.
-GOTL requested that the bags are all passed out on the same day.
-WAC will assist in coordinating the distribution of the Christmas bags.
Return to Top
The next meeting will be held on December 5, 2008 at 1:00 pm. The IFC hs requested a tour of the senior housing center.
The meeting was adjourned at 15:15.
V. Doran, Chairperson
V. Abrunzo, Deputy Chairperson
J. Erb Acting Secretary
R. Thompson
E. Muniz
D. Fulton
Guests: Peggy Giesbriet / GOTL
STAFF PRESENT
Capt. J. Anderson
Community Partnership Manager, P. Untalon
Lt. J. Neeley
M. Connony
R. Armstrong
R. Carothers
S. Simmons
G.A. Colmenero
J. River
C Etcheschera
C. Pellizzain
The meeting was called to order by IFC Chairperson Victoria Doran at 13:18 PM. Prior meeting minutes were presented. A motion to approve and second carried.
Return to Top
1. Senior Living, Silver Bells: Clarification was given:
1. Senior Living-area where senior inmates are housed. This helps them to be separated from some of the issues created by younger inmates.
2. Silver Bells are older long term inmates -- they do not necessarily live in the Senior Living Area. Often they bring issues related to senior living forward.
-VSPW Staff are going to provide Operating Procedures(OPs) for Senior Living in the future.
-Senior Living Opreating Procedures (OPs) are up for revision; addendums to the OPs can always be added if important issues arise.
-VSPW will apply the CDCR Department Operational Manual (DOM) as a minimum. If they believe more clarifcation is required they will incorporate it into a local Operation Procedure (OP) or Department Operations Manual (DOM) Supplement as deemed appropriate.
-Laundry procedures are are being looked into.
2. College Education Program: -We are six weeks into the current semester and mid-terms coming up in a few weeks.
-There are approximately 460 inmates enrolled in Coastline Community College and 30 enrolled in other programs.
-The Education Department has started an evening program that involves rotating yards, to bring in inmates one evening a week to watch viedos related to classes and receive help with homework. Each yard will be invited every three weeks.
- A new staff person was introduced and will be helping with college program.
-The Education Department will provide a list of items they would like to have donated. They do not need computers at this time, as there is no space for more. Only certain software programs will be supported by the Information Technololy staff. IFC Chair, Ms. Doran, stated she had a number of computers to donate if needed.
3. Photos in Visiting Project: -VSPW bought a digital camera and is in the process of buying a photo printer. This will be offered at visitation instead of the polaroid prints.
-VSPW has no plans for changing the photo ducat price.
4. Visiting Processing Center: -Lt. Neeley will look at the proposed changes to the IFC brochures and hopefully approve the changes.
-VSPW staff would like to review changes before they are placed in the visiting waiting room.
-Ms Doran mentioned that she will occasionally be approached by visitors and their inmate while in the visiting room. She asked if this was ok since visiting between other visitors is not encouraged. Lt Neeley thought it would be best to refer any approaching visitors to the IFC brochure where contact information is available for the IFC Chair. They will try to keep some in the visitation room. Contact is bound to happen and should be kept reasonable.
-Documents and paperwork may be approved in visiting, but the approval must come prior to the visit. The approval should be worked out with the Visiting Lt. This issue was clarifired and additional verbage was put in the VSPW DOM Supplement by Lt. Neeley, to assit in how these types of issues should be handled. A copy of the Visiting Procedures, DOM Supplement, was provided to the IFC.
Return to Top
5. Digital Television: -Analog TV's will be out soon. VSPW is not supplying coverters. Inmates will have to get a new TV.
-Ms Doran asked if inmates replacing analog TV's could get a discount through one of the prison providers. The IFC was advised it would not be appropriate for VSPW staff to request discounts from the vendors. This would be up to the IFC or any individual requesting a discount to contact the vendor on their own.
6. Special Purchase Events: -No published schedule
-Sometimes these events are approved just 3 days before the event. Usually it's known that an event is being requested but has not been approved until about a month before the event is to take place. Based on the lack of the Warden's overall approval, it's not always possible for all events to be on the event calender when it's published at the begining of each month.
-The WAC or othe groups usually sponsor the event to raise money for a specific project. The approval process can be long. Recyling proceeds are returned to the General Fund, and not used for inmate projects. Visitation recycling is considered "Hot Trash" and is not recycled as there is the potential it could contain contraband.
7. Mailing In Pictures: -No change
-You can still send 20 pictures to an inmate.
8. Ducats: AREAS OF COMPLAINTS
-Inmates are complaining that some of the ducats (Church/Education) are not being honored by VSPW staff. In addition, if they are not honored and they do not show up, for school as an example, they will get a write up:
Two issues:
1. Ducats not honored
2. Write-ups (115's) being given for not attending when the ducat was not honored by VSPW staff.
VSPW staff does not believe this ia a widespread problem. Education staff claims they have issued a 115 once for an inmate not attending a test and the inmate failed to show up a few times before the 115 was issued.
The Ducat Process:
1. Ducats can either be high priority (White) or general (yellow).
2.Ducats are handed out the day before.
3.A list of the day's ducats are posted on each unit for all inmates to view.
4.General ducats are more likely to be denied. They are usually events the inmates want to attend where priority ducates are for thins like doctor visits.
5. Hundreds of ducats are issued daily to assist in tracking inmate movment and help with inmate security.
6. A "No Show" report is issued for inmates that do not keep their scheduled appointments.
7. If the Inmate has a valid excuse the "No Show" is dismissed. If not a 115 can be written and the inmate will have a disciplinary hearing with an opportunity to explain themselves.
9. Christmas Goody Bags: -Items given to Lt. Neeley for approval.
-Yellow ribbon to be included, Lt. Neeley requested dimensions of the ribbon.
-GOTL need an approval by email soon.
-Bags must be completed by December 5th and are to be delivered on December 8th.
-Zip-Lock bags are fine.
-GOTL requested that the bags are all passed out on the same day.
-WAC will assist in coordinating the distribution of the Christmas bags.
Return to Top
The next meeting will be held on December 5, 2008 at 1:00 pm. The IFC hs requested a tour of the senior housing center.
The meeting was adjourned at 15:15.
