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"Thank You Ladies"
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, April 3, 2003
Warden’s Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jim Gilmore
Marvin Coolbaugh
Maureen Burgess
Elizabeth Muniz
ALTERNATES PRESENT:
Ruby Lockett
Joan Taylor
MEMBERS/ALTERNATES ABSENT:
Louisa Camorlinga
Wanda Patton
David Miller
Michael W. Cox
Edvardo Pabros
John Videen
John Errante
Tammy Rust
STAFF PRESENT:
Gloria Henry, Warden
Robert Padilla, Associate Warden
Deborah Zeh, Ombudsperson
P. Callahan, Correctional Captain
Lieutenant Donaldson
Javier Cavazos, Administrative Assistant
Sylvia Hedlind, CRM
Sergeant Fuller
The meeting was called to order at approximately 1:05 p.m.
Logo Created By VSPW Graphic Arts Program
"Thank You Ladies"
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, April 3, 2003
Warden’s Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jim Gilmore
Marvin Coolbaugh
Maureen Burgess
Elizabeth Muniz
ALTERNATES PRESENT:
Ruby Lockett
Joan Taylor
MEMBERS/ALTERNATES ABSENT:
Louisa Camorlinga
Wanda Patton
David Miller
Michael W. Cox
Edvardo Pabros
John Videen
John Errante
Tammy Rust
STAFF PRESENT:
Gloria Henry, Warden
Robert Padilla, Associate Warden
Deborah Zeh, Ombudsperson
P. Callahan, Correctional Captain
Lieutenant Donaldson
Javier Cavazos, Administrative Assistant
Sylvia Hedlind, CRM
Sergeant Fuller
The meeting was called to order at approximately 1:05 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS:
Family Visiting Menu
Lt. Donaldson has been talking to a vendor who is willing to provide food for the Family Visiting Unit. There will be a slight increase in price if this vendor is used.
Bees in the Visiting Area
Mr. Coolbaugh asked if bee kits could be on hand for visitors who may be allergic to bees, as there are quite a few of them in the outside visiting area. Warden Henry responded that she cannot make bee sting kits available. Those visitors who know they are allergic to bees should arrange with the Visiting Staff to have a kit available. Otherwise, as in any other public place, immediate medical attention will be sought if someone had a reaction to a bee sting.
Availability of videos in Visiting
There was a question at the last meeting regarding the availability of videos in Visiting. Lt. Donaldson looked into this and assured the council that the televisions and video equipment is in working order and videos are available. He provided the council with a list of available videos.
General Discussion:
Mr. Coolbaugh asked if the rumor that there would be no smoking allowed in Visiting was true. Warden Henry told the council that effective May 1, 2003 there will be no smoking in the visiting room or outside patios by visitors or inmates. A handout provided by Headquarters with this and other changes was distributed to the council. These changes are taking place Statewide.
It was asked if the hot food now provided in Visiting was being discontinued in lieu of vending machines. Warden Henry explained that the California Department of Rehabilitation has the right to provide vending machines in Visiting if they so choose. All institutions in the State, with the exception of VSPW and CCWF, have vending machines only. It is true that the Department of Rehabilitation is considering placing vending machines at VSPW, but it has not yet been decided.
A question was raised regarding the availability of sanitary products. Warden Henry assured the council that she had recently toured the housing units and there is an ample supply available and that they do not have to ask the Correctional Officers for them.
It was confirmed that the mail is caught up and that money orders are delivered to Accounting the day they are received if they are addressed to P.O. Box 94. However, if they are not sent to the correct P.O. Box there may be some delay. Also, money orders that are not issued by the United States Post Office are held until they clear, which also creates a delay.
Issuance of quarterly boxes is approximately five days behind schedule because of the recent influx of inmates from Northern California Women’s Facility. Overtime has been requested to catch up.
There is concern among the council that the gates are not being opened in a timely manner during feeding for inmates who have visitors waiting. The Warden explained that the staff who are assigned to open the gates are sometimes diverted to medical transports. Captain Callahan will look into this, do some additional training if necessary and ensure that someone is assigned to open the gates when staff has been diverted.
A question was raised regarding the status of inmates who had pay slots at NCWF prior to coming to VSPW. It was confirmed that they will have to work their way back up to a pay slot at VSPW.
Ms. Zeh addressed the issue of blocked collect telephone calls due to billing problems for MCI. She noted that one of the reasons people are not able to get through on the 800 number provided by MCI is because it is being used by 18 states. Mr. Coolbaugh recommended that anyone who is having trouble visit the Inmate Family Council website for assistance in this matter.
The Inmate Family Council asked if they could be given a tour of VSPW. Warden Henry and Ms. Zeh said that is not possible at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 1430 hours.
All agenda items for the next meeting should be submitted to Ms. Hedlind by May 21, 2003.
Next Meeting:
June 6, 2003
1:00 p.m.
VSPW Warden’s Conference Room
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Family Visiting Menu
Lt. Donaldson has been talking to a vendor who is willing to provide food for the Family Visiting Unit. There will be a slight increase in price if this vendor is used.
Bees in the Visiting Area
Mr. Coolbaugh asked if bee kits could be on hand for visitors who may be allergic to bees, as there are quite a few of them in the outside visiting area. Warden Henry responded that she cannot make bee sting kits available. Those visitors who know they are allergic to bees should arrange with the Visiting Staff to have a kit available. Otherwise, as in any other public place, immediate medical attention will be sought if someone had a reaction to a bee sting.
Availability of videos in Visiting
There was a question at the last meeting regarding the availability of videos in Visiting. Lt. Donaldson looked into this and assured the council that the televisions and video equipment is in working order and videos are available. He provided the council with a list of available videos.
General Discussion:
Mr. Coolbaugh asked if the rumor that there would be no smoking allowed in Visiting was true. Warden Henry told the council that effective May 1, 2003 there will be no smoking in the visiting room or outside patios by visitors or inmates. A handout provided by Headquarters with this and other changes was distributed to the council. These changes are taking place Statewide.
It was asked if the hot food now provided in Visiting was being discontinued in lieu of vending machines. Warden Henry explained that the California Department of Rehabilitation has the right to provide vending machines in Visiting if they so choose. All institutions in the State, with the exception of VSPW and CCWF, have vending machines only. It is true that the Department of Rehabilitation is considering placing vending machines at VSPW, but it has not yet been decided.
A question was raised regarding the availability of sanitary products. Warden Henry assured the council that she had recently toured the housing units and there is an ample supply available and that they do not have to ask the Correctional Officers for them.
It was confirmed that the mail is caught up and that money orders are delivered to Accounting the day they are received if they are addressed to P.O. Box 94. However, if they are not sent to the correct P.O. Box there may be some delay. Also, money orders that are not issued by the United States Post Office are held until they clear, which also creates a delay.
Issuance of quarterly boxes is approximately five days behind schedule because of the recent influx of inmates from Northern California Women’s Facility. Overtime has been requested to catch up.
There is concern among the council that the gates are not being opened in a timely manner during feeding for inmates who have visitors waiting. The Warden explained that the staff who are assigned to open the gates are sometimes diverted to medical transports. Captain Callahan will look into this, do some additional training if necessary and ensure that someone is assigned to open the gates when staff has been diverted.
A question was raised regarding the status of inmates who had pay slots at NCWF prior to coming to VSPW. It was confirmed that they will have to work their way back up to a pay slot at VSPW.
Ms. Zeh addressed the issue of blocked collect telephone calls due to billing problems for MCI. She noted that one of the reasons people are not able to get through on the 800 number provided by MCI is because it is being used by 18 states. Mr. Coolbaugh recommended that anyone who is having trouble visit the Inmate Family Council website for assistance in this matter.
The Inmate Family Council asked if they could be given a tour of VSPW. Warden Henry and Ms. Zeh said that is not possible at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 1430 hours.
All agenda items for the next meeting should be submitted to Ms. Hedlind by May 21, 2003.
Next Meeting:
June 6, 2003
1:00 p.m.
VSPW Warden’s Conference Room
Back To Top
Return To Home Page
Web Page Designed and Published By:
Computer Consulting Service