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June 7, 2002 Minutes
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, June 7, 2002
Warden’s Conference Room
VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, June 7, 2002
Warden’s Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Louisa Camorlinga
Marvin Coolbaugh
Lee Conroe
Leon Wiley
Jim Gilmore
Elizabeth Muniz
Edvardo Pabros
Virgil Jenzen
ALTERNATES PRESENT:
Michael W. Cox
MEMBERS /ALTERNATES ABSENT:
Donald Wheeler
Gloria Arreguin
John Videen
Steven Lavoie
Martin Montalvo
Rosalia Carranco
STAFF PRESENT:
Gloria Henry, Warden
Ken Hurdle, Ombudsman (A)
Dr. Hendrickson, Chief Medical Officer (A
Pat Callahan, Correctional Captain (A)
Mike Naranjo, Supervising Registered Nurse
Dr. G. Keenan
Lieutenant Donaldson
Sylvia Hedlind, CRM
The meeting was called to order at approximately 1:05 p.m. Introductions were made and Ms. Henry welcomed the council.
Ms. Hedlind requested that all members and alternates talk to visitors about applying for the Inmate Family Council. Applications are needed to fill positions as they are vacated. She also noted that the inmate Mr. Edding was representing has paroled and Mr. Wiley has taken his position as a member. John Videen has been invited to participate as an alternate.
Agenda Item: Medical Issues
Dr. Follett, Chief Medical Officer, was unable to attend the meeting so Dr. Hendrickson, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. George Keenan and Mike Naranjo, Supervising Registered Nurse, attended the meeting and gave a short presentation on the process used for inmates to procure medical treatment. The Co-Pay system, Sick-Call and Chronic Care were addressed.
The use of the Co-Pay system was questioned and Ken Hurdle explained that this system was introduced by the Legislature and is a State-wide process.
A question was raised regarding the use of Medical Technician Assistants (MTA) and whether their mission is medical or custody. Dr. Hendrickson responded that MTAs are cross trained, Licensed Vocational Nurses. The MTA’s job description is 80percent medical and 20percent custody. The point was raised that that is not how MTAs are represented on the internet.
Several council members mentioned what they see as a predominately poor attitude from MTAs towards inmates. Staff members acknowledged that there are some problem areas, but that as problems arise they are handled by a supervisor. It should be noted that even though action is taken when there are treatment of people issues, the inmates are not aware of what steps are taken to make improvements in this area.
When the question was raised regarding what recourse is available when an inmate feels adequate medical care is not being provided, Warden Henry informed the council that the appeal process is available for just this purpose. Inmates also have direct access to Warden Henry and Mr. Hurdle through the mail if they have a problem. She also mentioned that she meets with the Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC) every month and medical care has not been a major issue at these meetings.
A situation was raised where an inmate had been given a prescription by a community doctor and when the inmate returned to VSPW the medication was changed by VSPW staff. The Medical Staff present told the council that VSPW may not stock the same name brand, however, they will replace a prescription with one that is interchangeable and available in the inventory. Medical also mentioned that if they do not have an appropriate prescription available, they will order from outside sources and have it available, usually within 24 hours.
Agenda item: Telephone Calls
Ken Hurdle discussed the cost of inmate telephone calls and the blocking of calls to specific areas. He handed out a memorandum signed by William A. Duncan, Deputy Director (A), Institutions Division, dated May 31, 2002 regarding blocking calls. He mentioned that the Department of General Services controls this area. Additionally, an Inmate Telephone Services Project Status Report was handed out. Mr. Hurdle also addressed the history of “branding” to include mail and telephone calls.
Agenda item: Heart Healthy Diet
Ken Hurdle discussed the Heart Healthy Diet and handed out a memorandum addressed to Senator John Burton from Edward Alameida, Director, California Department of Corrections (CDC), which provides information regarding the Heart Healthy Diet. Although the diet attached to the memorandum is for men, a sample diet for women was attached to the April Inmate Family Council Meeting minutes.
General Discussion
· Michael Cox raised questions regarding possible water contamination. Ken Hurdle responded to this question, informing the council that CAL OSHA tests the water regularly and the results are posted on a State website. A question was raised as to whether or not the council could bring in an independent agency to check VSPW’s water.
· A concern was raised regarding disabled visitors. It was recommended that a golf cart be provided for transporting disabled visitors from the front entrance to visiting. Although a wheelchair is available to visitors who need it, the idea of a golf cart will be explored.
· A letter from an inmate was introduced which alleges her mother was not treated properly when she fell prior to her visit. Warden Henry knew of this incident and said the visitor was given medical treatment and attended to by staff. However, she will look into this matter before the next meeting.
· It was mentioned that some inmates are reporting to council members that when an item is not approved by Receiving and Release (R&R) Staff, inmates who work there are allegedly stealing the unapproved items and giving them to other inmates. The question was raised that if an item is not approved, how are the inmates getting away with wearing the item on the Yard in plain view of staff. Warden Henry said that R&R Staff are responsible to ensure items comply with current policy and allowable property. Therefore, if an inmate is in possession of an item, Housing Unit/Yard Staff will assume R&R has issued it. This eliminates the problem of one staff member approving an item and another staff questioning the inmate about it unless it truly appears to be contraband. Unfortunately, this may be how inmates who are stealing the unapproved items are getting away with not being questioned by staff. Warden Henry will look into this issue.
Louisa Camorlinga
Marvin Coolbaugh
Lee Conroe
Leon Wiley
Jim Gilmore
Elizabeth Muniz
Edvardo Pabros
Virgil Jenzen
ALTERNATES PRESENT:
Michael W. Cox
MEMBERS /ALTERNATES ABSENT:
Donald Wheeler
Gloria Arreguin
John Videen
Steven Lavoie
Martin Montalvo
Rosalia Carranco
STAFF PRESENT:
Gloria Henry, Warden
Ken Hurdle, Ombudsman (A)
Dr. Hendrickson, Chief Medical Officer (A
Pat Callahan, Correctional Captain (A)
Mike Naranjo, Supervising Registered Nurse
Dr. G. Keenan
Lieutenant Donaldson
Sylvia Hedlind, CRM
The meeting was called to order at approximately 1:05 p.m. Introductions were made and Ms. Henry welcomed the council.
Ms. Hedlind requested that all members and alternates talk to visitors about applying for the Inmate Family Council. Applications are needed to fill positions as they are vacated. She also noted that the inmate Mr. Edding was representing has paroled and Mr. Wiley has taken his position as a member. John Videen has been invited to participate as an alternate.
Agenda Item: Medical Issues
Dr. Follett, Chief Medical Officer, was unable to attend the meeting so Dr. Hendrickson, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. George Keenan and Mike Naranjo, Supervising Registered Nurse, attended the meeting and gave a short presentation on the process used for inmates to procure medical treatment. The Co-Pay system, Sick-Call and Chronic Care were addressed.
The use of the Co-Pay system was questioned and Ken Hurdle explained that this system was introduced by the Legislature and is a State-wide process.
A question was raised regarding the use of Medical Technician Assistants (MTA) and whether their mission is medical or custody. Dr. Hendrickson responded that MTAs are cross trained, Licensed Vocational Nurses. The MTA’s job description is 80percent medical and 20percent custody. The point was raised that that is not how MTAs are represented on the internet.
Several council members mentioned what they see as a predominately poor attitude from MTAs towards inmates. Staff members acknowledged that there are some problem areas, but that as problems arise they are handled by a supervisor. It should be noted that even though action is taken when there are treatment of people issues, the inmates are not aware of what steps are taken to make improvements in this area.
When the question was raised regarding what recourse is available when an inmate feels adequate medical care is not being provided, Warden Henry informed the council that the appeal process is available for just this purpose. Inmates also have direct access to Warden Henry and Mr. Hurdle through the mail if they have a problem. She also mentioned that she meets with the Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC) every month and medical care has not been a major issue at these meetings.
A situation was raised where an inmate had been given a prescription by a community doctor and when the inmate returned to VSPW the medication was changed by VSPW staff. The Medical Staff present told the council that VSPW may not stock the same name brand, however, they will replace a prescription with one that is interchangeable and available in the inventory. Medical also mentioned that if they do not have an appropriate prescription available, they will order from outside sources and have it available, usually within 24 hours.
Agenda item: Telephone Calls
Ken Hurdle discussed the cost of inmate telephone calls and the blocking of calls to specific areas. He handed out a memorandum signed by William A. Duncan, Deputy Director (A), Institutions Division, dated May 31, 2002 regarding blocking calls. He mentioned that the Department of General Services controls this area. Additionally, an Inmate Telephone Services Project Status Report was handed out. Mr. Hurdle also addressed the history of “branding” to include mail and telephone calls.
Agenda item: Heart Healthy Diet
Ken Hurdle discussed the Heart Healthy Diet and handed out a memorandum addressed to Senator John Burton from Edward Alameida, Director, California Department of Corrections (CDC), which provides information regarding the Heart Healthy Diet. Although the diet attached to the memorandum is for men, a sample diet for women was attached to the April Inmate Family Council Meeting minutes.
General Discussion
· Michael Cox raised questions regarding possible water contamination. Ken Hurdle responded to this question, informing the council that CAL OSHA tests the water regularly and the results are posted on a State website. A question was raised as to whether or not the council could bring in an independent agency to check VSPW’s water.
· A concern was raised regarding disabled visitors. It was recommended that a golf cart be provided for transporting disabled visitors from the front entrance to visiting. Although a wheelchair is available to visitors who need it, the idea of a golf cart will be explored.
· A letter from an inmate was introduced which alleges her mother was not treated properly when she fell prior to her visit. Warden Henry knew of this incident and said the visitor was given medical treatment and attended to by staff. However, she will look into this matter before the next meeting.
· It was mentioned that some inmates are reporting to council members that when an item is not approved by Receiving and Release (R&R) Staff, inmates who work there are allegedly stealing the unapproved items and giving them to other inmates. The question was raised that if an item is not approved, how are the inmates getting away with wearing the item on the Yard in plain view of staff. Warden Henry said that R&R Staff are responsible to ensure items comply with current policy and allowable property. Therefore, if an inmate is in possession of an item, Housing Unit/Yard Staff will assume R&R has issued it. This eliminates the problem of one staff member approving an item and another staff questioning the inmate about it unless it truly appears to be contraband. Unfortunately, this may be how inmates who are stealing the unapproved items are getting away with not being questioned by staff. Warden Henry will look into this issue.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 3:30 p.m.
All agenda items should be submitted to Ms. Hedlind by July 19, 2002.
Next Meeting: August 2, 2002
1:00 p.m.
VSPW Warden’s Conference Room
All agenda items should be submitted to Ms. Hedlind by July 19, 2002.
Next Meeting: August 2, 2002
1:00 p.m.
VSPW Warden’s Conference Room
