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Logo Created By VSPW Graphic Arts Program
"Thank You Ladies"
VSPW INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, April 2, 2004
EXECUTIVE OUTLINE
|
Inmate Food
Catalogues IFC Posters & Fliers International Reply Coupons |
Medical
Pillows Retaliation Quarterly Packages & Vendors Visiting |
Logo Created By VSPW Graphic Arts Program
"Thank You Ladies"
VSPW INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, April 2, 2004
EXECUTIVE OUTLINE
A. Old Business
1. IFC Fliers and Membership Drive
2. Update on Mail
a) Mail Room currently 7 days behind
b) Time Stamping
c) Delivery by Post Office
d) Damaged mail
e) International Reply Coupons (IRCs)
3. Vendor Packages Update/Quarterly Package Problems
a) Vendor Package Problems
b) New Vendors
4. Update on Medical
a) Psych Diagnosed % of Population
b) Dental update on Infirmary and B Yard Dental
5. Visiting
a) Problems due to shortened visiting days
b) Non-contact visiting for restricted minors
c) Receiving Center and Ad/Seg visiting
d) Regular visiting routine
6. JC Penneys and Walenhorst Catalogue availability
7. Pillow Update
B. New Business
1. New Parole Programs
2. Concerns about 602 retaliation
3. Food preparation questions
1. IFC Fliers and Membership Drive
2. Update on Mail
a) Mail Room currently 7 days behind
b) Time Stamping
c) Delivery by Post Office
d) Damaged mail
e) International Reply Coupons (IRCs)
3. Vendor Packages Update/Quarterly Package Problems
a) Vendor Package Problems
b) New Vendors
4. Update on Medical
a) Psych Diagnosed % of Population
b) Dental update on Infirmary and B Yard Dental
5. Visiting
a) Problems due to shortened visiting days
b) Non-contact visiting for restricted minors
c) Receiving Center and Ad/Seg visiting
d) Regular visiting routine
6. JC Penneys and Walenhorst Catalogue availability
7. Pillow Update
B. New Business
1. New Parole Programs
2. Concerns about 602 retaliation
3. Food preparation questions
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, April 2, 2004
Warden’s Conference Room
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, April 2, 2004
Warden’s Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Marvin Coolbaugh
Nancy Rubinstein
Elizabeth Muniz
Louisa Camorlinga
MEMBERS/ALTERNATES ABSENT:
Wanda Patton
Dr. John Videen
Tammy Rust
Ruby Lockett
Jim Gilmore
John Errante
VISITORS:
Tina Rubinstein
STAFF PRESENT:
Gloria A. Henry, Warden
Javier Cavazos, Administrative Assistant
Laura Hernandez, Chief Psychologist
Pat Callahan, Correctional Captain
Joie Austin, Secretary, Warden's Office
The meeting was called to order at 1:03 p.m.
A. OLD BUSINESS
1. IFC Fliers and Membership Drive: We’ve got two new 8½” x 11” color fliers that have been approved. The IFC application form has been stapled to them, and we’re leaving a stack of them by the Suggestion Box in the back of the Visitor Processing Center. These new fliers are also being sent to people who inquire through our website, or to persons referred to us by families and inmates, or otherwise make contact with our group. We would also like to be able to get a copy of our fliers to the WAC. We have already had several new inquiries and contacts lately through the website, and several persons have requested IFC applications. Should we be able to fill all 15 our board positions, we plan on using a system similar to the CCWF IFC, where the extra persons form an ‘Advisory Board’ as a backup to the regular IFC Board. It would be able to meet on a different day, and would interact with the current board in a backup and advisory position.
We also have 6 new 11” x 17” color fliers to post in the Visiting areas. Captain Callahan will take them this weekend, and post them in the following places:
· On the inside of the Men and Women bathroom doors in the Visitor Processing Center.
· On the inside of the Men and Women bathroom doors in the Visiting Rooms.
· On the guard podiums inside each of the Visiting Rooms, to replace the old torn up fliers that are currently there.
A new half-sheet “Suggestion Box” card has also been printed, and will be taped to the Suggestion Box to replace the old card.
2. Mail
a) Mailroom Currently 7 Days Behind: Captain Callahan reported that the Mail Room is currently 7 days behind. Warden Henry explained that the institution is allowed a 7-day grace period from the time mail is received at the prison until it is to be delivered to the prisoner.
Nancy Rubinstein explained that the most common question received by the IFC is about why the mail is late. It’s recently been reported by family members that mail appears to take as long as 2½ to 3 weeks from the time it is mailed until the inmate receives the mail. It has also been recently reported by inmates that mail is taking from 10 to 14 days past the postage cancellation date before it is received. This is confusing information, given that the mailroom is apparently always within the 7-day limit. This would indicate that the Post Office is delivering mail at between 3 to 7 days from various points around California. Marvin Coolbaugh explained that he had talked to the Postmaster at Chowchilla, and that the Postmaster stated that mail was not coming in that slowly, and that 3 to 4 days maximum delivery time would be unusual, and that 7 days would be exceptionally uncommon.
b) Time Stamping Mail: The IFC offered some suggestions to staff about how it might be possible to satisfy the problem with perceived late receipt of mail.
The first suggestion was that electronic time stamping could be done on the envelopes when they were received at VSPW. That way, it would be proof positive to everyone involved how long it takes mail to get from Receiving to the inmates.
Staff stated that this would take excessive staff time. The mail comes in trays, and it doesn’t get handled until the mailroom is ready to sort and circulate it. Time stamping the incoming mail would require an extra handling point. Warden Henry explained that the mailroom tends to run short-handed because 1) they get more mail than they can keep up with, and 2) they get a lot of staff out because of illness, and sick leave means setbacks.
c) Direct Delivery from Post Office to Save Time: The IFC also suggested that perhaps the regular inmate correspondence (not money orders or legal mail) could be delivered directly to the prison to cut down on delivery time from the Post Office, in case that’s where the problem occurs in mail slowness. Warden Henry stated that the institution cannot get direct mail. She wanted to know what other prison in the state got direct mail. Nancy Rubinstein said she would find out and report back. Warden Henry went on to explain that an officer goes to the Post Office every day except Sunday to pick up the day’s mail, so there is no lag in delivery time at that point.
d) Direct Delivery Mail and Damaged Mail: Warden Henry stated that VSPW would not want to accept mail straight from the Post Office in any case. She offered an example to explain why this is so. VSPW used to be accused of stealing items from Quarterly Packages once. When the institution stopped allowing the delivery of damaged boxes from the Post Office or from UPS, the stolen items claims practically vanished. It appears that most of the missing items were from damaged boxes. In order to reduce VSPW’s liability, they now return any boxes with damages. This means that VSPW has the right to reject, at the Post Office, any mail that is damaged. They would not have this opportunity if the mail was delivered straight to the institution.
ACTION ITEM: Nancy Rubinstein will find out what other prisons in California have had direct mail service, and let the Warden know.
e) International Reply Coupons (IRCs): Nancy Rubinstein reported that the mailroom has not been allowing IRCs in to inmates from foreign correspondents. Captain Callahan was not aware of what an International Reply Coupon was, but when it was explained to him, he said that this would be considered the same as postage, and that he would look into this and do some staff training.
ACTION ITEM: Captain Callahan will make sure the staff understands that International Reply Coupons are allowed as postage delivered to inmates.
3. Vendor Packages Update/Quarterly Packages:
a) Vendor Package Problems
There have been some problems with Walkenhorst orders, including men’s clothing being sent in, other non-list items being sent in (like blue hair clips), and short orders.
Captain Callahan told us that the staff have been in regular contact with Walkenhorst, trying to handle these problems as they become aware of them. He said that recent training was given to staff to make sure that men’s clothing that was not obvious (like buttons on one side or the other, and other minor differences) was not being turned away, although items with obvious men’s labeling, etc., would still not be allowed.
Captain Callahan also explained that the staff is now allowing only properly sized items in. For instance, when a petite inmate orders XXL, or if a large inmate orders a petite item, it will be returned. This is because inmates are not supposed to order items for other inmates.
D&D was having some problems with lateness and errors. Captain Callahan said that this was a problem at first, but a lot of these problems are currently being handled. He has only had two 602s on D&D, and both of those were not the inmates’ fault, and were handled. There may have been other mistakes, but the staff was not notified. D&D did have a problem sending in the wrong box size at first, but as soon as VSPW discovered this, they allowed the wrong-sized packages until the problem could get straightened out.
Captain Callahan said that he was in constant touch with both vendors, and that he sent faxes and talked with them almost every day to straighten out problems with the program. He reminded us to let him know when problems came up, so they could be taken care of.
Marvin Coolbaugh brought up a problem that arose on March 31st, Cesar Chavez Day. It turns out that Walkenhorst had held several box orders and tried to deliver them on March 31st, which was not a Postal Service holiday. Unfortunately, the mail room at VSPW was closed for the State holiday, so the boxes were not received until April 1st, which made them all second quarter packages. Marvin had been in touch with a Walkenhorst representative on March 31st, who said she had contacted someone at the prison who asked her to fax a list of names, so the packages could possibly be allowed as 1st Quarter packages. Captain Callahan was unaware of this information, and said he would get in touch with Walkenhorst and verify that the list had been faxed, and see what he could do about it. However, he stated that it probably wouldn’t be possible to change the Quarter status on those boxes.
ACTION ITEM: Captain Callahan will contact Walkenhorst to see if a list of names of people who should have received boxes in the attempted delivery on March 31st was actually faxed to the prison. He would also check to see who gave permission for this on staff. If everything checked out, he would see about changing the status on those boxes from 2nd Quarter to 1st Quarter.
b) New Vendors
There are 3 or 4 new vendor groups that have contacted the administration and requested review to come on-board as approved providers of quarterly packages. The staff has not had time to review them. Also, Captain Callahan says that they are holding back a little bit in order to have time to straighten out problems with the existing vendors, and to wait for CDC to finalize the statewide regulations on Vendor packages. This has not happened yet, and is still up in the air.
4. Update on Medical
Ms. Laura Hernandez was introduced, and is the new Chief Psychologist for VSPW. She interviews each inmate that is brought to the Receiving Center at VSPW. She was able to tell us that the percentage of persons with mental health problems in the SHU (Security Housing Unit) is approximately the same as percentage of persons with mental health problems in general population. This is approximately 20% of the total inmate population.
Ms. Hernandez was also able to give us an update from Dr. Baker about the dental staffing situation. The institution has hired a new dental person for B yard, and that person will be starting on Monday, April 5th. The Infirmary Dental Lab has closed, due to loss of staff, and remains closed. We did not find out if there were plans to reopen the Infirmary Dental Lab.
5. Visiting
a) Problems Due to Shortened Visiting Days
VSPW has not experienced any terminations since the shorter Visiting days have been started. Captain Callahan reports statistics to the State CDC offices every Tuesday morning for the previous weekend, as the State is monitoring the situation at all the different prisons carefully. Some prisons will be getting Fridays back. VSPW is NOT one of these prisons.
We have not been having terminations at VSPW because our rooms are larger than at other prisons, and we have less visitors. Staff is also opening up the second Visiting Room after the rush is over and they are done with AD/SEG visiting. Some institutions have visitors waiting 3 to 4 hours to get processed, and people are being terminated after as little as 40 minutes.
b) Non-contact Visiting for Restricted Minors
Non-contact visiting may be allowed with restricted minors. When the visit is to a general population inmate, visitors will have the same visiting hours as regular visitors. The non-contact booths are the glassed cubicles in the back of the Visiting Rooms.
c) Receiving Center and Ad/Seg Visiting
Receiving Center (RC) and Ad/Seg visiting is scheduled visiting, and occurs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
d) Regular Visiting Routine
The new Visiting Sergeant is Sgt. King. He is temporary until the Visiting Officer position is worked into a steady “relief job” for Saturday and Sunday. This position will have a regularly assigned officer, which may or may not be Sgt. King. Nancy Rubinstein requested that we have a chance to meet the officer that is finally selected for the position.
It is important to let family members know what the visiting routine is for VSPW. Sgt. King was not available to discuss this with us, so the following summary was substituted for an actual discussion during our meeting:
Visitors are not allowed on the grounds of the institution until 8:30 a.m. Prior to 8:30 a.m., they may line up along Road 24, just outside the prison. People start lining up in their cars as early as 6:30 a.m.; at 7:30 on a recent Saturday, there were about 20 cars in line, and at 8:30, there were about 50 cars in line.
At 8:30, an employee comes to the entry booth, and hands out numbers to each car, as cars drive into the parking lot area. Visitors park near the Visitor Processing Center, which is at the end of the front parking lot, and can enter the Processing Center at this time. There are several bench seats in Processing to allow people to sit while they are waiting. Visitors are processed as their number is called. Extra numbers for persons coming after 8:30 a.m. are located on the front counter inside the Processing Center.
After 8:30, visitors may simply drive into the front parking lot, come into Visitor Processing and get a number.
Nancy Rubinstein was on Road 24 at 7:30 a.m. and was number 17 when she entered. She was called to the counter for processing in less than 15 minutes, and would have been completely processed and allowed onto the grounds by 9:15 except for some minor problems. As it was, she was processed, in, and was visiting her inmate sister by 9:30 a.m. The room was not overcrowded. When she left at 11:30 a.m., she noted that the second Visiting Room was open, and was not overcrowded either. Even though she had some problems being processed, the staff was accessible and helpful.
6. JC Penneys and Walkenhorst Catalogues
At our last meeting, we asked if our inmates could receive the JC Penney’s catalog as a book order. Since then, several of the inmates have asked for a Walkenhorst catalog, since the catalog is the only place where audio cassettes and CDs are listed. Captain Callahan said that Walkenhorst has only sent one (1) complete catalog to VSPW. The inmates have only received the smaller, approved articles list, which does not include the audio/CD lists. Inmates who have wanted to get cassettes or CDs have had to guess what is available.
Captain Callahan told us that mail room procedures do not allow inmates to receive catalogs, as mail, or as a special purchase. Catalogs are not allowed as personal property by the inmates.
Nancy Rubinstein asked for a copy of the mail room procedures. Captain Callahan will check and see if that can be made available.
ACTION ITEM: Captain Callahan will see about getting a copy of the mail room procedures for the IFC.
7. Pillows
Pillows are to be provided to all inmates as of this afternoon!
From now on, all pillows will be included on the inmates’ trust cards, and each inmate will be personally accountable and responsible for her pillow.
Nancy Rubinstein
Elizabeth Muniz
Louisa Camorlinga
MEMBERS/ALTERNATES ABSENT:
Wanda Patton
Dr. John Videen
Tammy Rust
Ruby Lockett
Jim Gilmore
John Errante
VISITORS:
Tina Rubinstein
STAFF PRESENT:
Gloria A. Henry, Warden
Javier Cavazos, Administrative Assistant
Laura Hernandez, Chief Psychologist
Pat Callahan, Correctional Captain
Joie Austin, Secretary, Warden's Office
The meeting was called to order at 1:03 p.m.
A. OLD BUSINESS
1. IFC Fliers and Membership Drive: We’ve got two new 8½” x 11” color fliers that have been approved. The IFC application form has been stapled to them, and we’re leaving a stack of them by the Suggestion Box in the back of the Visitor Processing Center. These new fliers are also being sent to people who inquire through our website, or to persons referred to us by families and inmates, or otherwise make contact with our group. We would also like to be able to get a copy of our fliers to the WAC. We have already had several new inquiries and contacts lately through the website, and several persons have requested IFC applications. Should we be able to fill all 15 our board positions, we plan on using a system similar to the CCWF IFC, where the extra persons form an ‘Advisory Board’ as a backup to the regular IFC Board. It would be able to meet on a different day, and would interact with the current board in a backup and advisory position.
We also have 6 new 11” x 17” color fliers to post in the Visiting areas. Captain Callahan will take them this weekend, and post them in the following places:
· On the inside of the Men and Women bathroom doors in the Visitor Processing Center.
· On the inside of the Men and Women bathroom doors in the Visiting Rooms.
· On the guard podiums inside each of the Visiting Rooms, to replace the old torn up fliers that are currently there.
A new half-sheet “Suggestion Box” card has also been printed, and will be taped to the Suggestion Box to replace the old card.
2. Mail
a) Mailroom Currently 7 Days Behind: Captain Callahan reported that the Mail Room is currently 7 days behind. Warden Henry explained that the institution is allowed a 7-day grace period from the time mail is received at the prison until it is to be delivered to the prisoner.
Nancy Rubinstein explained that the most common question received by the IFC is about why the mail is late. It’s recently been reported by family members that mail appears to take as long as 2½ to 3 weeks from the time it is mailed until the inmate receives the mail. It has also been recently reported by inmates that mail is taking from 10 to 14 days past the postage cancellation date before it is received. This is confusing information, given that the mailroom is apparently always within the 7-day limit. This would indicate that the Post Office is delivering mail at between 3 to 7 days from various points around California. Marvin Coolbaugh explained that he had talked to the Postmaster at Chowchilla, and that the Postmaster stated that mail was not coming in that slowly, and that 3 to 4 days maximum delivery time would be unusual, and that 7 days would be exceptionally uncommon.
b) Time Stamping Mail: The IFC offered some suggestions to staff about how it might be possible to satisfy the problem with perceived late receipt of mail.
The first suggestion was that electronic time stamping could be done on the envelopes when they were received at VSPW. That way, it would be proof positive to everyone involved how long it takes mail to get from Receiving to the inmates.
Staff stated that this would take excessive staff time. The mail comes in trays, and it doesn’t get handled until the mailroom is ready to sort and circulate it. Time stamping the incoming mail would require an extra handling point. Warden Henry explained that the mailroom tends to run short-handed because 1) they get more mail than they can keep up with, and 2) they get a lot of staff out because of illness, and sick leave means setbacks.
c) Direct Delivery from Post Office to Save Time: The IFC also suggested that perhaps the regular inmate correspondence (not money orders or legal mail) could be delivered directly to the prison to cut down on delivery time from the Post Office, in case that’s where the problem occurs in mail slowness. Warden Henry stated that the institution cannot get direct mail. She wanted to know what other prison in the state got direct mail. Nancy Rubinstein said she would find out and report back. Warden Henry went on to explain that an officer goes to the Post Office every day except Sunday to pick up the day’s mail, so there is no lag in delivery time at that point.
d) Direct Delivery Mail and Damaged Mail: Warden Henry stated that VSPW would not want to accept mail straight from the Post Office in any case. She offered an example to explain why this is so. VSPW used to be accused of stealing items from Quarterly Packages once. When the institution stopped allowing the delivery of damaged boxes from the Post Office or from UPS, the stolen items claims practically vanished. It appears that most of the missing items were from damaged boxes. In order to reduce VSPW’s liability, they now return any boxes with damages. This means that VSPW has the right to reject, at the Post Office, any mail that is damaged. They would not have this opportunity if the mail was delivered straight to the institution.
ACTION ITEM: Nancy Rubinstein will find out what other prisons in California have had direct mail service, and let the Warden know.
e) International Reply Coupons (IRCs): Nancy Rubinstein reported that the mailroom has not been allowing IRCs in to inmates from foreign correspondents. Captain Callahan was not aware of what an International Reply Coupon was, but when it was explained to him, he said that this would be considered the same as postage, and that he would look into this and do some staff training.
ACTION ITEM: Captain Callahan will make sure the staff understands that International Reply Coupons are allowed as postage delivered to inmates.
3. Vendor Packages Update/Quarterly Packages:
a) Vendor Package Problems
There have been some problems with Walkenhorst orders, including men’s clothing being sent in, other non-list items being sent in (like blue hair clips), and short orders.
Captain Callahan told us that the staff have been in regular contact with Walkenhorst, trying to handle these problems as they become aware of them. He said that recent training was given to staff to make sure that men’s clothing that was not obvious (like buttons on one side or the other, and other minor differences) was not being turned away, although items with obvious men’s labeling, etc., would still not be allowed.
Captain Callahan also explained that the staff is now allowing only properly sized items in. For instance, when a petite inmate orders XXL, or if a large inmate orders a petite item, it will be returned. This is because inmates are not supposed to order items for other inmates.
D&D was having some problems with lateness and errors. Captain Callahan said that this was a problem at first, but a lot of these problems are currently being handled. He has only had two 602s on D&D, and both of those were not the inmates’ fault, and were handled. There may have been other mistakes, but the staff was not notified. D&D did have a problem sending in the wrong box size at first, but as soon as VSPW discovered this, they allowed the wrong-sized packages until the problem could get straightened out.
Captain Callahan said that he was in constant touch with both vendors, and that he sent faxes and talked with them almost every day to straighten out problems with the program. He reminded us to let him know when problems came up, so they could be taken care of.
Marvin Coolbaugh brought up a problem that arose on March 31st, Cesar Chavez Day. It turns out that Walkenhorst had held several box orders and tried to deliver them on March 31st, which was not a Postal Service holiday. Unfortunately, the mail room at VSPW was closed for the State holiday, so the boxes were not received until April 1st, which made them all second quarter packages. Marvin had been in touch with a Walkenhorst representative on March 31st, who said she had contacted someone at the prison who asked her to fax a list of names, so the packages could possibly be allowed as 1st Quarter packages. Captain Callahan was unaware of this information, and said he would get in touch with Walkenhorst and verify that the list had been faxed, and see what he could do about it. However, he stated that it probably wouldn’t be possible to change the Quarter status on those boxes.
ACTION ITEM: Captain Callahan will contact Walkenhorst to see if a list of names of people who should have received boxes in the attempted delivery on March 31st was actually faxed to the prison. He would also check to see who gave permission for this on staff. If everything checked out, he would see about changing the status on those boxes from 2nd Quarter to 1st Quarter.
b) New Vendors
There are 3 or 4 new vendor groups that have contacted the administration and requested review to come on-board as approved providers of quarterly packages. The staff has not had time to review them. Also, Captain Callahan says that they are holding back a little bit in order to have time to straighten out problems with the existing vendors, and to wait for CDC to finalize the statewide regulations on Vendor packages. This has not happened yet, and is still up in the air.
4. Update on Medical
Ms. Laura Hernandez was introduced, and is the new Chief Psychologist for VSPW. She interviews each inmate that is brought to the Receiving Center at VSPW. She was able to tell us that the percentage of persons with mental health problems in the SHU (Security Housing Unit) is approximately the same as percentage of persons with mental health problems in general population. This is approximately 20% of the total inmate population.
Ms. Hernandez was also able to give us an update from Dr. Baker about the dental staffing situation. The institution has hired a new dental person for B yard, and that person will be starting on Monday, April 5th. The Infirmary Dental Lab has closed, due to loss of staff, and remains closed. We did not find out if there were plans to reopen the Infirmary Dental Lab.
5. Visiting
a) Problems Due to Shortened Visiting Days
VSPW has not experienced any terminations since the shorter Visiting days have been started. Captain Callahan reports statistics to the State CDC offices every Tuesday morning for the previous weekend, as the State is monitoring the situation at all the different prisons carefully. Some prisons will be getting Fridays back. VSPW is NOT one of these prisons.
We have not been having terminations at VSPW because our rooms are larger than at other prisons, and we have less visitors. Staff is also opening up the second Visiting Room after the rush is over and they are done with AD/SEG visiting. Some institutions have visitors waiting 3 to 4 hours to get processed, and people are being terminated after as little as 40 minutes.
b) Non-contact Visiting for Restricted Minors
Non-contact visiting may be allowed with restricted minors. When the visit is to a general population inmate, visitors will have the same visiting hours as regular visitors. The non-contact booths are the glassed cubicles in the back of the Visiting Rooms.
c) Receiving Center and Ad/Seg Visiting
Receiving Center (RC) and Ad/Seg visiting is scheduled visiting, and occurs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
d) Regular Visiting Routine
The new Visiting Sergeant is Sgt. King. He is temporary until the Visiting Officer position is worked into a steady “relief job” for Saturday and Sunday. This position will have a regularly assigned officer, which may or may not be Sgt. King. Nancy Rubinstein requested that we have a chance to meet the officer that is finally selected for the position.
It is important to let family members know what the visiting routine is for VSPW. Sgt. King was not available to discuss this with us, so the following summary was substituted for an actual discussion during our meeting:
Visitors are not allowed on the grounds of the institution until 8:30 a.m. Prior to 8:30 a.m., they may line up along Road 24, just outside the prison. People start lining up in their cars as early as 6:30 a.m.; at 7:30 on a recent Saturday, there were about 20 cars in line, and at 8:30, there were about 50 cars in line.
At 8:30, an employee comes to the entry booth, and hands out numbers to each car, as cars drive into the parking lot area. Visitors park near the Visitor Processing Center, which is at the end of the front parking lot, and can enter the Processing Center at this time. There are several bench seats in Processing to allow people to sit while they are waiting. Visitors are processed as their number is called. Extra numbers for persons coming after 8:30 a.m. are located on the front counter inside the Processing Center.
After 8:30, visitors may simply drive into the front parking lot, come into Visitor Processing and get a number.
Nancy Rubinstein was on Road 24 at 7:30 a.m. and was number 17 when she entered. She was called to the counter for processing in less than 15 minutes, and would have been completely processed and allowed onto the grounds by 9:15 except for some minor problems. As it was, she was processed, in, and was visiting her inmate sister by 9:30 a.m. The room was not overcrowded. When she left at 11:30 a.m., she noted that the second Visiting Room was open, and was not overcrowded either. Even though she had some problems being processed, the staff was accessible and helpful.
6. JC Penneys and Walkenhorst Catalogues
At our last meeting, we asked if our inmates could receive the JC Penney’s catalog as a book order. Since then, several of the inmates have asked for a Walkenhorst catalog, since the catalog is the only place where audio cassettes and CDs are listed. Captain Callahan said that Walkenhorst has only sent one (1) complete catalog to VSPW. The inmates have only received the smaller, approved articles list, which does not include the audio/CD lists. Inmates who have wanted to get cassettes or CDs have had to guess what is available.
Captain Callahan told us that mail room procedures do not allow inmates to receive catalogs, as mail, or as a special purchase. Catalogs are not allowed as personal property by the inmates.
Nancy Rubinstein asked for a copy of the mail room procedures. Captain Callahan will check and see if that can be made available.
ACTION ITEM: Captain Callahan will see about getting a copy of the mail room procedures for the IFC.
7. Pillows
Pillows are to be provided to all inmates as of this afternoon!
From now on, all pillows will be included on the inmates’ trust cards, and each inmate will be personally accountable and responsible for her pillow.
THANK YOU FOR THE PILLOWS!!!
B. NEW BUSINESS
1. New Parole Programs: Warden Henry reported that there are new paroling programs that are being developed at state level that will work with state and local groups to address the recidivism problem. These programs will be focusing on such tools as having re-entry workshops and classes in the communities that will improve the possibility of successful re-entry into the community. There will also be pre-parole agents and staff being assigned to the individual prisons to start working with inmates prior to their parole.
2. Concerns About Retaliation when 602’s are Filed: Dr. John Videen, our IFC CO-Chair, was unable to attend today’s meeting. However, he sent a note with some concerns he had about a problem in the Disabled Housing Unit. An officer had been 602’d for an incident, and there was evidence of retaliation after the 602. IFC asked if the problems had been addressed, and the Warden and Captain Callahan reassured us that the problems were known about, and that these problems had recently been addressed, and the problems reversed.
Our concern, as IFC representatives, is that inmates should feel safe about filing 602s when problems arise, without fear of retaliation. Both Warden Henry and Captain Callahan stressed that inmates should keep filing 602s, because it’s the best way to draw the problems to the attention of administrative staff. Retaliation will be met with a no-tolerance policy.
3. Food Preparation Questions: Marvin Coolbaugh had questions about the food preparation and leftovers disposal routines at VSPW. Warden Henry explained that food is prepared at the central kitchen on campus. It may come in frozen and defrosted, then cooked and ‘quick chilled’. This usually occurs approximately 4 days before it is listed for serving on the yard menus. It is then distributed in large trays to the yard kitchens, and kept frozen until it is to be served. At this time, it is re-heated.
Leftovers are picked up on a regular schedule by local recyclers. The prison is required, by state law, to recycle a minimum of 50% of all disposables.
The food served by the prison meets requirements set by a State Dietician, and meets Heart Healthy requirements. These minimum requirements are established by State CDC Headquarters.
ACTION ITEM: Nancy Rubinstein will contact the state dietician and obtain the minimum requirements and guidelines for nutrition for the CDC women’s prisons.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
Next Meeting:
1. New Parole Programs: Warden Henry reported that there are new paroling programs that are being developed at state level that will work with state and local groups to address the recidivism problem. These programs will be focusing on such tools as having re-entry workshops and classes in the communities that will improve the possibility of successful re-entry into the community. There will also be pre-parole agents and staff being assigned to the individual prisons to start working with inmates prior to their parole.
2. Concerns About Retaliation when 602’s are Filed: Dr. John Videen, our IFC CO-Chair, was unable to attend today’s meeting. However, he sent a note with some concerns he had about a problem in the Disabled Housing Unit. An officer had been 602’d for an incident, and there was evidence of retaliation after the 602. IFC asked if the problems had been addressed, and the Warden and Captain Callahan reassured us that the problems were known about, and that these problems had recently been addressed, and the problems reversed.
Our concern, as IFC representatives, is that inmates should feel safe about filing 602s when problems arise, without fear of retaliation. Both Warden Henry and Captain Callahan stressed that inmates should keep filing 602s, because it’s the best way to draw the problems to the attention of administrative staff. Retaliation will be met with a no-tolerance policy.
3. Food Preparation Questions: Marvin Coolbaugh had questions about the food preparation and leftovers disposal routines at VSPW. Warden Henry explained that food is prepared at the central kitchen on campus. It may come in frozen and defrosted, then cooked and ‘quick chilled’. This usually occurs approximately 4 days before it is listed for serving on the yard menus. It is then distributed in large trays to the yard kitchens, and kept frozen until it is to be served. At this time, it is re-heated.
Leftovers are picked up on a regular schedule by local recyclers. The prison is required, by state law, to recycle a minimum of 50% of all disposables.
The food served by the prison meets requirements set by a State Dietician, and meets Heart Healthy requirements. These minimum requirements are established by State CDC Headquarters.
ACTION ITEM: Nancy Rubinstein will contact the state dietician and obtain the minimum requirements and guidelines for nutrition for the CDC women’s prisons.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
Next Meeting:
Friday, June 4, 2004
1:00 PM
VSPW Warden’s Conference Room
1:00 PM
VSPW Warden’s Conference Room
Minutes prepared by Nancy Rubinstein
Agenda Items for next meeting due by May 17, 2004.
Agenda Items for next meeting due by May 17, 2004.
