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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, October 5, 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, October 5, 2007
Warden’s Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT
V. Doran, Chairperson
V. Abrunzo, Deputy Chairperson
G. Olmos
R. Thompson
IFC Guest: Charli Easton, Mary Ellen Ogden-Grandmothers of the Light
STAFF PRESENT
T. Hornbeak, Warden
K. Eichenberger, Chief Deputy Warden
J. Neeley, Administrative Assistant
C. Pellizzario, Family Services Coordinator
J. Tucker, Director of Nurses
L. Herron, Visiting Lt.
C. Pierini, Health Services Administrator
S. Dodd, Health Dept.
D. Bradford, Visiting Dept.
S. McFarland, Secretary to Warden Brewer
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Doran at 13:03.
Chair Doran advised Warden Hornbeak that Members Louisa Camorlinga, Irma Camorlinga and William Reedy were terminated as there were no appearances this year and no responses to inquires requesting updates. Doran advised the Warden that this opens up one position for regular membership. Leaflets explaning the function of the IFC have been placed in the visitor processing center.
The minutes were not approved for the August meeting as the IFC had received a request from WAC to clarify a certain item in the minutes. The Chair requested that she be allowed to amend the particular item and resubmit the minutes for approval. Lt. Neeley agreed.
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1. Photo Ducats: The issue of Photo Ducats being available was brought up and Lt. Herron explained that the State now has a budget and a purchase order was initiated. The film is backordered due to all facilities placinging orders at roughly the same time. Warden Horbeak allowed that in the future, pre-ordering of photo items would be placed to illuminate this issue if future budgets are late in being approved.
2. Digital Cameras: Digital Cameras, printers and paper and related accessories have been ordered to improve the photo quality and eliminate "bad" photos and wasting of film, This should be operational by spring 2008.
3. Visiting Processing: The Chair brought the issue of processing slowing considerably when the "Chowchilla Express" is on site. The Chair asked if additional staff could be available for those paticular Sundays so that a back-log is not created. Warden Horbeak requested that Lt. Herron obtain staff to assist on those particular days.
4. Friday Visiting: The issue of Friday visiting was brought and it was noted that a request for voluntary termination on over crowded days was being implemented. It was also noted that doing a voluntary termination does not produce the paperwork necessary for Sacramento to see that an additional day for visitation should be an option at VSPW.
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5. Visitors Bathroom Issues: The bathrooms at the Processing Center have been messy and without toilet paper and/or towels. Lt. Herron noted that a staff person has to be taken off processing to supervise a Trustee to clean-up and restock. Warden Hornbeak gave Lt. Herron permission to request staff from a yard or other area to assist in this matter. Through the publication of these minutes the IFC is requesting all visitors to VSPW be respectful of the facilities and to clean-up after themselves.
6. Mail Service: The processing of mail is now between five and six days business days. Lt. Herron advised that delays were to be expected with the upcoming holidays. Additionally, time may elaspe in getting mail to each yard and to the individual inmates due to staff shortage. Warden Hornbeak advised that she was aware of some delays and would be taking up the issue with staff. In addition, the overcrowding has complicated the mail delivery as well. Inmates are being asked to promptly notify friends and family of any change in housing.
7. December 2007 IFC Meeting: The Chair advised the administration that the December 7, 2007 meeting would be a luncheon and that an invitation was extended to all staff participating at that meeting.
8. 602 Reviews: Warden Hornbeak stated she directed a review of the 602's regarding pat searches of large women. Warden Hornbeak stated there were no 602's on file for this year regarding this matter. The IFC member who raised the issue was asked to go back to their source and gain additional information.
9. Phone Issues: Capt. Rivera stated that the change of phone providers has caused some additional difficulties with the system, therefore phone access was limited. Rivera indicated that the phones have built-in diagnostics which allows the phone company to be advised of the difficulties. Rivera stated that with the overcrowding getting on the list for evening and weekend phone calls was getting difficult.
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10. Valley Fever: A discussion on the issue of Valley Fever was presented by Public Health advisor Dodd. Mr. Dodd stated that Chowchilla/Madera was not a particularly endemic area as opposed to some of the southern central areas. Mr. Dodd assured the IFC that a plan was in place to negate any outbreak at VSPW. Mr. Abrunzo and Ms.Thompson spoke to the fact that it was their understanding that any on-site construction at the facility could increase the risk.
11. Digital TV Conversion: Confirmation of the conversion from analog to digital signals for the televisions would be complete by February 2009 and that begining 2008 the conversion boxes wouls be available. Ms. Doran advised the administration that the Federal Government had approved a $40.00 coupon credit for the purchase of this devise, thus making the purchase by inmates something within their budgets. The Administration would look into making these devises available either through the canteen or an approved vendor.
12. Honor Dorm Expansion: The expansion of the Honor Dorm program has been tabled and new rehabilitation programing was being directed to sources for the women who were not currently programmining in order to get them "involved". Warden Hornbeak assured the IFC that the curent Honor Dorm would remain a functioning Facility.
13. Christmas Goodie Bags: Warden Hornbeak assured the IFC that she would speak to the other Women's Facilitied regarding the Christmas Goodie bags and advise the IFC if she approvedof the project. Charli Easton was to drop off a "sample" so that the administration could review the bag's contents.
Return to Top
14. Grandmothers of the Light: A presentation by "Grandmothers of the Light" was given to the IFC and the Administration. Ms. Eaton and Ms. Ogden have been providing breakfast and travel bags to the children and family members who participate in this program. Samples of the bags and pictures of the breakfast meals were passed around.
The meeting was adjourned at 14:15
The next meeting will be held on December 7, 2007 at 1:00 pm
V. Doran, Chairperson
V. Abrunzo, Deputy Chairperson
G. Olmos
R. Thompson
IFC Guest: Charli Easton, Mary Ellen Ogden-Grandmothers of the Light
STAFF PRESENT
T. Hornbeak, Warden
K. Eichenberger, Chief Deputy Warden
J. Neeley, Administrative Assistant
C. Pellizzario, Family Services Coordinator
J. Tucker, Director of Nurses
L. Herron, Visiting Lt.
C. Pierini, Health Services Administrator
S. Dodd, Health Dept.
D. Bradford, Visiting Dept.
S. McFarland, Secretary to Warden Brewer
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Doran at 13:03.
Chair Doran advised Warden Hornbeak that Members Louisa Camorlinga, Irma Camorlinga and William Reedy were terminated as there were no appearances this year and no responses to inquires requesting updates. Doran advised the Warden that this opens up one position for regular membership. Leaflets explaning the function of the IFC have been placed in the visitor processing center.
The minutes were not approved for the August meeting as the IFC had received a request from WAC to clarify a certain item in the minutes. The Chair requested that she be allowed to amend the particular item and resubmit the minutes for approval. Lt. Neeley agreed.
Return to Top
1. Photo Ducats: The issue of Photo Ducats being available was brought up and Lt. Herron explained that the State now has a budget and a purchase order was initiated. The film is backordered due to all facilities placinging orders at roughly the same time. Warden Horbeak allowed that in the future, pre-ordering of photo items would be placed to illuminate this issue if future budgets are late in being approved.
2. Digital Cameras: Digital Cameras, printers and paper and related accessories have been ordered to improve the photo quality and eliminate "bad" photos and wasting of film, This should be operational by spring 2008.
3. Visiting Processing: The Chair brought the issue of processing slowing considerably when the "Chowchilla Express" is on site. The Chair asked if additional staff could be available for those paticular Sundays so that a back-log is not created. Warden Horbeak requested that Lt. Herron obtain staff to assist on those particular days.
4. Friday Visiting: The issue of Friday visiting was brought and it was noted that a request for voluntary termination on over crowded days was being implemented. It was also noted that doing a voluntary termination does not produce the paperwork necessary for Sacramento to see that an additional day for visitation should be an option at VSPW.
Return to Top
5. Visitors Bathroom Issues: The bathrooms at the Processing Center have been messy and without toilet paper and/or towels. Lt. Herron noted that a staff person has to be taken off processing to supervise a Trustee to clean-up and restock. Warden Hornbeak gave Lt. Herron permission to request staff from a yard or other area to assist in this matter. Through the publication of these minutes the IFC is requesting all visitors to VSPW be respectful of the facilities and to clean-up after themselves.
6. Mail Service: The processing of mail is now between five and six days business days. Lt. Herron advised that delays were to be expected with the upcoming holidays. Additionally, time may elaspe in getting mail to each yard and to the individual inmates due to staff shortage. Warden Hornbeak advised that she was aware of some delays and would be taking up the issue with staff. In addition, the overcrowding has complicated the mail delivery as well. Inmates are being asked to promptly notify friends and family of any change in housing.
7. December 2007 IFC Meeting: The Chair advised the administration that the December 7, 2007 meeting would be a luncheon and that an invitation was extended to all staff participating at that meeting.
8. 602 Reviews: Warden Hornbeak stated she directed a review of the 602's regarding pat searches of large women. Warden Hornbeak stated there were no 602's on file for this year regarding this matter. The IFC member who raised the issue was asked to go back to their source and gain additional information.
9. Phone Issues: Capt. Rivera stated that the change of phone providers has caused some additional difficulties with the system, therefore phone access was limited. Rivera indicated that the phones have built-in diagnostics which allows the phone company to be advised of the difficulties. Rivera stated that with the overcrowding getting on the list for evening and weekend phone calls was getting difficult.
Return to Top
10. Valley Fever: A discussion on the issue of Valley Fever was presented by Public Health advisor Dodd. Mr. Dodd stated that Chowchilla/Madera was not a particularly endemic area as opposed to some of the southern central areas. Mr. Dodd assured the IFC that a plan was in place to negate any outbreak at VSPW. Mr. Abrunzo and Ms.Thompson spoke to the fact that it was their understanding that any on-site construction at the facility could increase the risk.
11. Digital TV Conversion: Confirmation of the conversion from analog to digital signals for the televisions would be complete by February 2009 and that begining 2008 the conversion boxes wouls be available. Ms. Doran advised the administration that the Federal Government had approved a $40.00 coupon credit for the purchase of this devise, thus making the purchase by inmates something within their budgets. The Administration would look into making these devises available either through the canteen or an approved vendor.
12. Honor Dorm Expansion: The expansion of the Honor Dorm program has been tabled and new rehabilitation programing was being directed to sources for the women who were not currently programmining in order to get them "involved". Warden Hornbeak assured the IFC that the curent Honor Dorm would remain a functioning Facility.
13. Christmas Goodie Bags: Warden Hornbeak assured the IFC that she would speak to the other Women's Facilitied regarding the Christmas Goodie bags and advise the IFC if she approvedof the project. Charli Easton was to drop off a "sample" so that the administration could review the bag's contents.
Return to Top
14. Grandmothers of the Light: A presentation by "Grandmothers of the Light" was given to the IFC and the Administration. Ms. Eaton and Ms. Ogden have been providing breakfast and travel bags to the children and family members who participate in this program. Samples of the bags and pictures of the breakfast meals were passed around.
The meeting was adjourned at 14:15
The next meeting will be held on December 7, 2007 at 1:00 pm
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