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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, December 1, 2006
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, December 1, 2006
Warden's Conference Room
MEMBERS / ALTERNATES PRESENT
John Videen, Chairman
Mark Hanna
Regina Thompson
Sherrie Green
James Erb
Dwight and Carolyn Dorsey
Gilbert Olmos
Victoria Doran
William Reedy
MEMBERS / ALTERNATES ABSENT
Louisa C.
VISITORS
Vic Abrunzo, Elva Nunez
STAFF PRESENT
Tina Hornbeck, Warden (A)
Tim Scott, Administrative Assistant
Daun Martin
Jodie Pacini
Mohammed Mokter
Linda Kalb
David Rock
A. Pizzella
Zack Patrick
Darrell Hamilton
Cory Pierini
J. Rivera
The meeting was called to order at 1:05 PM by John Videen, IFC Chair. John Videen recorded minutes. Introductions were made around the room.
Items Discussed:
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1. New IFC ByLaws: John Videen announced that the IFC agreed unanimously to adopt new bylaws which be submitted to the Warden for approval.
2. Educational Opportunities: Principal Patrick reviewed the educational opportunities at VSPW. Approximately 80 staff members coordinate both academic and vocational programs which have received the highest accreditation scores by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Levels of academic programs extend from Adult Basic Education and English Language Development through University courses. Both GED and High School Diplomas can be earned. Ohio State University and Coastline Community College offer credits in a variety of self-study courses enrolling approximately 400 inmates. Sixty five scholarships are offered. Books and supplies are shared when possible to help defray costs. College courses do not excuse the inmate from work. Inmate tutoring is available with approximately 40 participating. A variety of vocational programs exist such as welding, refrigeration/air conditioning maintenance, electronics, office technology, landscaping, graphic arts, cabinetry, auto mechanics, eyeware and janitorial training. Cosmetology has reopened and proudly announced that they now offer a valid California licensing opportunity. Bridging education between the Reception Yard and general population is offered, as well as programs in the SHU and AD/SEG areas. A new educational TV program were announced. The IFC will tour the educational facility in February. Contributions for supplies were submitted.
3. SAP - Substance Abuse Program: Darrell Hamilton provided a review of the Substance Abuse Program (SAP). Approximately 250 women participate in the program anywhere detween 4 months and 3 years. Efforts are stressed to place the inmate in residential treatment programs near their home have shown to dramatically decrease recidivism rates to approximately 30%. Voluntary enrollment in the program is a priority, but involuntary enrollment in the program is used to fill vacancies. Inmates must have a documented problem with substance abuse to be involuntarily enrolled.
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4. Dental Services: Dr. Daun Martin provided an update on dental services. The Acting Chief Medical Officer indicated that while the service was not short staffed, there was also no surplus in the schedule, i.e. if there are no absentees there will be seven pairs of dentists and assistants working ten hour days, five days per week. There is an opening filled by the Chief Dental Officer at present. Dr. Martin acknowledged the service is not capable of providing comprehensive dental care, but rather the most serious cases are handled with higher priority. There is simply not enough space or money to provide more. Legislation has recently mandated that all pregnant women have a dental cleaning hence a dental hygienist will be hired at half time. Presently, dentists are tasked with hygienic care as a last priority. Further, the Perez suit has ordered expansion of the dental service with purchase of a new Panorex Imaging Device and building of new dental facilities. Once built there will be recruitment of more dentists, assistants and hygienists.
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John Videen, Chairman
Mark Hanna
Regina Thompson
Sherrie Green
James Erb
Dwight and Carolyn Dorsey
Gilbert Olmos
Victoria Doran
William Reedy
MEMBERS / ALTERNATES ABSENT
Louisa C.
VISITORS
Vic Abrunzo, Elva Nunez
STAFF PRESENT
Tina Hornbeck, Warden (A)
Tim Scott, Administrative Assistant
Daun Martin
Jodie Pacini
Mohammed Mokter
Linda Kalb
David Rock
A. Pizzella
Zack Patrick
Darrell Hamilton
Cory Pierini
J. Rivera
The meeting was called to order at 1:05 PM by John Videen, IFC Chair. John Videen recorded minutes. Introductions were made around the room.
Items Discussed:
Return to Top
1. New IFC ByLaws: John Videen announced that the IFC agreed unanimously to adopt new bylaws which be submitted to the Warden for approval.
2. Educational Opportunities: Principal Patrick reviewed the educational opportunities at VSPW. Approximately 80 staff members coordinate both academic and vocational programs which have received the highest accreditation scores by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Levels of academic programs extend from Adult Basic Education and English Language Development through University courses. Both GED and High School Diplomas can be earned. Ohio State University and Coastline Community College offer credits in a variety of self-study courses enrolling approximately 400 inmates. Sixty five scholarships are offered. Books and supplies are shared when possible to help defray costs. College courses do not excuse the inmate from work. Inmate tutoring is available with approximately 40 participating. A variety of vocational programs exist such as welding, refrigeration/air conditioning maintenance, electronics, office technology, landscaping, graphic arts, cabinetry, auto mechanics, eyeware and janitorial training. Cosmetology has reopened and proudly announced that they now offer a valid California licensing opportunity. Bridging education between the Reception Yard and general population is offered, as well as programs in the SHU and AD/SEG areas. A new educational TV program were announced. The IFC will tour the educational facility in February. Contributions for supplies were submitted.
3. SAP - Substance Abuse Program: Darrell Hamilton provided a review of the Substance Abuse Program (SAP). Approximately 250 women participate in the program anywhere detween 4 months and 3 years. Efforts are stressed to place the inmate in residential treatment programs near their home have shown to dramatically decrease recidivism rates to approximately 30%. Voluntary enrollment in the program is a priority, but involuntary enrollment in the program is used to fill vacancies. Inmates must have a documented problem with substance abuse to be involuntarily enrolled.
Return to Top
4. Dental Services: Dr. Daun Martin provided an update on dental services. The Acting Chief Medical Officer indicated that while the service was not short staffed, there was also no surplus in the schedule, i.e. if there are no absentees there will be seven pairs of dentists and assistants working ten hour days, five days per week. There is an opening filled by the Chief Dental Officer at present. Dr. Martin acknowledged the service is not capable of providing comprehensive dental care, but rather the most serious cases are handled with higher priority. There is simply not enough space or money to provide more. Legislation has recently mandated that all pregnant women have a dental cleaning hence a dental hygienist will be hired at half time. Presently, dentists are tasked with hygienic care as a last priority. Further, the Perez suit has ordered expansion of the dental service with purchase of a new Panorex Imaging Device and building of new dental facilities. Once built there will be recruitment of more dentists, assistants and hygienists.
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Visiting Issues
5.
Holiday Visiting Hours:
4. General Visiting: General visiting issues were discussed with Capt. Rivera as the Visiting Lieutenant was on vacation. Discussion of the foreshortened Thanksgiving Day visit was brought up as there were complaints by visitors who has traveled long distances for the occasion with little inmate contact. It was explained that visiting ended early to allow for a count that would not interfere with a longer than expected evening meal. Warden Hornbeck indicated that an out-count could have been performed instead to have solve the problem. A similar situation will occur over the Christmas holiday and the Warden will look into the problem and notify inmates ahead of time if visiting hours will be modified.
6. Visiting Money: Currently, adults are allowed to bring in $30 in one dollar bills, and $10 for each child accompanying them. IFC members pointed out that this amount of money for food purchases goes a lot less further than it used to. The IFC made a request to allow visitors to bring in more money. The Warden stated this was a state issue and she would bring it up at her next opportunity.
7. Excused Time Off (ETO): The Excused Time OFF (or ETO) policy was mentioned, but the staff present were unable to explain details and this will be discussed at the next meeting.
8. Baby Strollers: Use of strollers in visiting was a topic from the last meeting which will be tabled to be addressed by Lt. McCraw.
9. Family Visits: Family Visiting issues were similarly tabled until Lt. McCraw returns at the next meeting.
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10. Inmate Welfare Fund: An explanation of the activities of the Inmate Welfare Fund was provided by Ms. Kalb and Mr. Rock. A profit and loss statement was produced for our review and is apparently posted outside the canteen routinely. It is not clear where it can be found outside the prison. Income generated by quarterly packages, special purchases, and the canteen is spent on movies, visiting photos, awards, and community projects. The nature of the community projects was not known. Salaries are included in the expenses for the canteen workers.
11. Stingers Denied: Mr. Rock stated that stingers were presently not available and would not be part of the upcoming matrix. It was mentioned that this was contradictory to information provided at the last meeting, but no one was present at that time to clarify the issue. Mr. Rock said he could not provide testing of the stingers at the time of sale.
12. Restitution Payments: Ms. Kalb notified us that restitution payments would be increased to 50% and that an additional 5% administrative charge would increase the net deduction to 55%.
13. Temporary Community Leave: Temporary Community Leave was explained by the Warden as an option for inmates to leave the prison to attend special events such as funerals. Longtimers, Lifers and those with heightened flight risk would typically be denied. However, requests are handled individually. The inmate and their family would bear the burden of the cost of outside security and transport.
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14. Spoiled Food: An incident of spoiled food was brought up on the agenda regarding a sour smelling vegetable soup. Since no formal complaint was lodged, the kitchen supervisor, M. Moctar, could not provide details of this particular incident. He did explain that samples plates from each meal are held in refrigeration for 72 hours in case episodes of food poisoning occur to allow for laboratory testing post event. Kitchen inmates and supervisors are also tasked with taste testing of the food prior to serving. The responses of the taste taste are logged. Food is returned to vendors if unsuitable to use. A report of which vendors that may be more problematic was requested and will be provided at the kitchen tour in February.
15. Donations Wish List Requested from Warden: Members asked the Warden to develop a "Wish List" of items that the IFC could focus efforts for fundraising.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:40.
Next Meeting: Friday February 2, 2007 at 1:00 PM
Agenda Items due by January 15, 2007
6. Visiting Money: Currently, adults are allowed to bring in $30 in one dollar bills, and $10 for each child accompanying them. IFC members pointed out that this amount of money for food purchases goes a lot less further than it used to. The IFC made a request to allow visitors to bring in more money. The Warden stated this was a state issue and she would bring it up at her next opportunity.
7. Excused Time Off (ETO): The Excused Time OFF (or ETO) policy was mentioned, but the staff present were unable to explain details and this will be discussed at the next meeting.
8. Baby Strollers: Use of strollers in visiting was a topic from the last meeting which will be tabled to be addressed by Lt. McCraw.
9. Family Visits: Family Visiting issues were similarly tabled until Lt. McCraw returns at the next meeting.
Return to Top
10. Inmate Welfare Fund: An explanation of the activities of the Inmate Welfare Fund was provided by Ms. Kalb and Mr. Rock. A profit and loss statement was produced for our review and is apparently posted outside the canteen routinely. It is not clear where it can be found outside the prison. Income generated by quarterly packages, special purchases, and the canteen is spent on movies, visiting photos, awards, and community projects. The nature of the community projects was not known. Salaries are included in the expenses for the canteen workers.
11. Stingers Denied: Mr. Rock stated that stingers were presently not available and would not be part of the upcoming matrix. It was mentioned that this was contradictory to information provided at the last meeting, but no one was present at that time to clarify the issue. Mr. Rock said he could not provide testing of the stingers at the time of sale.
12. Restitution Payments: Ms. Kalb notified us that restitution payments would be increased to 50% and that an additional 5% administrative charge would increase the net deduction to 55%.
13. Temporary Community Leave: Temporary Community Leave was explained by the Warden as an option for inmates to leave the prison to attend special events such as funerals. Longtimers, Lifers and those with heightened flight risk would typically be denied. However, requests are handled individually. The inmate and their family would bear the burden of the cost of outside security and transport.
Return to Top
14. Spoiled Food: An incident of spoiled food was brought up on the agenda regarding a sour smelling vegetable soup. Since no formal complaint was lodged, the kitchen supervisor, M. Moctar, could not provide details of this particular incident. He did explain that samples plates from each meal are held in refrigeration for 72 hours in case episodes of food poisoning occur to allow for laboratory testing post event. Kitchen inmates and supervisors are also tasked with taste testing of the food prior to serving. The responses of the taste taste are logged. Food is returned to vendors if unsuitable to use. A report of which vendors that may be more problematic was requested and will be provided at the kitchen tour in February.
15. Donations Wish List Requested from Warden: Members asked the Warden to develop a "Wish List" of items that the IFC could focus efforts for fundraising.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:40.
Next Meeting: Friday February 2, 2007 at 1:00 PM
Agenda Items due by January 15, 2007
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