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CENTINELA STATE PRISON
INMATE FAMILY COUNCIL
WARDEN’S MEETING
APRIL 8, 2005
Centinela Staff:
G. J. Giurbino, Warden
J. F. Salazar, CDW (A)
G. Burns, Parole Agent
A. Favila, AW Health Care Services
Inmate Family Council Members:
Donna Sanders-Orozco, Facility “B” Rep
Guests:
James Pappas
Connie Pappas
Welcome:
The Inmate Family Council (IFC) meeting commenced at 1100 hours. Warden G. J. Giurbino welcomed staff, guests and the council member attending today’s meeting. The minutes for the March 11, 2005, meeting were reviewed and signed by Ms. Sanders-Orozco and Warden Giurbino.
Agenda Items:
Tobacco Ban:
The Warden distributed the memorandum dated March 10, 2005, titled
Tobacco Ban – Inmate Packages (Assembly Bill 384)
), authored by Suzan L. Hubbard. The California Department of Corrections is attempting to reduce the amount of tobacco and tobacco products confiscated after the July 1, 2005, in the implementation of Assembly Bill 384. As a result, all facilities are directed to inform their Inmate Package Vendors that beginning April 1, 2005, tobacco and tobacco products will no longer be authorized for sale or shipment to inmates.
Family Visiting:
The Warden gave a brief overview of Family Visiting. Due to policy change back in 1999, some inmates were not allowed to have Family Visiting, which in turn eliminated the necessity for as many family visiting units. A couple of the units are being utilized for the Medical Department at this time. Mr. Giurbino was informed that one of the family visiting units is always on “hold” in case something happens during a family visit necessitating the move from one unit to another. Mr. Giurbino indicated that this practice will be discontinued; we will not place any unit on hold. We will utilize all available units. If, during a family visit, something should happen, maintenance will be called if available. If necessary repairs cannot be made, the family will have the option to stay or leave.
Ms. Sanders-Orozco brought up the issue of a family visit being voided due to the funds being $2.00 short. The process was explained to Ms. Sanders-Orozco. When a participant applies for a family visit and is told to submit the funds, the funds are immediately frozen for that visit. It would be virtually impossible to come up short due to the fact that the funds are frozen for that purpose. If at that time there are not enough funds, visitors and/or inmate are notified and the process not completed until the proper amount of funds are placed in the account.
Ms. Sanders-Orozco asked the Warden why Centinela did not have a standby list.
Mr. Giurbino indicated that he would explore that option.
Mr. Giurbino also indicated that he is looking at the option of increasing the days for family visits, thus allowing an additional four to six visits per week.
Shortage of Wheelchairs:
The alleged shortage of wheelchairs was discussed. It has been reported that the Medical Department has twelve additional wheelchairs. The Warden indicated that if we are low, we can borrow from the CTC. The Warden will look at purchasing more wheelchairs after the new Fiscal Year. A follow up will be made with Lt. Garcia regarding this issue.
Dietary Needs:
The Committee was provided a copy of a DOM Supplement Chapter 5, Article 51, Food Services. The Warden briefly went over these procedures. The State is working with the Healthy Heart Program in formulating menus. Samples of Meal Sample Reports were distributed and reviewed.
Inmates who belong to religious organization that requires members to abide by dietary restrictions will contact the appropriate Chaplain and provide the Chaplain with information with which he can verify the inmate’s claim. We attempt to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the request. The restriction must be a requirement of the religious organization not merely a preference. The Committee was provided with sample meal reports regarding the religious diets.
Advanced Health Care Directives:
At this time the Department does not have an Advanced Health Care Directive; however, the Department is evaluating it at this time. We do have a Compassionate Release and they are reviewed on a case by case basis.
Medical Release Forms:
The Committee wanted the information regarding medical release forms posted on the Information Channel. The Warden agreed that this could be posted quarterly, on the CCTV System.
A memorandum dated March 5, 2005, titled
California Department Of Corrections Notification Of Next-Of-Kin Policy Procedure
, authored by Michael T. Pickett and Larry Witek, was discussed and distributed to the Committee.
Guest Speaker:
Glen Burns, Parole Agent from Pre-Release Unit at CEN provided information on available programs as well as the transition process for inmates into society. Each inmate will be interviewed by a Parole Services Associate prior to paroling to gain insight into their individual needs. Recommendations will be made based on their needs. Resources will be gathered for the inmate. A plan will be made for each parolee.
The ability for a person released from prison to establish an appropriate program is critical to their maintaining stability in the community. The Parole and Community Services Division has established partnerships with local law enforcement agencies and community service providers known as Police and Corrections Team (PACT) to help facilitate this transition. The component known as the PACT Parolee Orientation provides recently released parolees a “one-stop shopping” atmosphere offering information about available community resources to promote a positive parolee adjustment. Participation at the PACT Parolee Orientation meeting is mandatory and reinforces the parolee’s responsibility to establish a community program.
Mr. Burns briefly went over the Electronic Monitoring Sanction. The California Department of Correction’s current electronic monitoring contract will be enhanced in order to accommodate a home detention sanction. Parolees that would previously have been returned to prison could qualify for home detention based upon the seriousness of the parole violation. This sanction would require an electronic monitoring unit be placed on the offending parolee. This sanction would allow for home detention for up to 45 days. The Department is currently trying to work out a few glitches in this system.
Mr. Burns briefly went over the Community Correctional Reentry Center Sanction. The program would redirect parolees to a halfway back/intermediate sanction program. This program would be used to place parolees who have non-violent and non-serious commitment offenses and who have had a technical parole violation. Placement in a CCRC would be in lieu of revoking the parolee and returning him/her back to prison.
Mr. Burns briefly went over the Substance Abuse Treatment Program. This proposal requires a 30 day residential phase that includes: Process of Addiction, Process of Recovery, Twelve Step Methodology, Relapse Prevention, Anger and Violence Classes, Life Skills Management, Family Dynamics, and Employment Workshops. A 90-day mandatory after care program is required.
A brief discussion was held regarding Centinela’s Pre-Release Program. The Warden indicated that we would have representation from the Pre-Release Program at the next Inmate Family Council Meeting.
DEPARTMENT AND STATEWIDE INFORMATION
· Centinela’s Annual Inmate Tuberculosis Testing is scheduled for April 30th, to be read on May 2nd. There is a possibility that we may alter the testing date to Friday, April 29th. If TB testing is accomplished on Friday, the program will need to be modified for the day.
· A mass DNA Testing is scheduled for the same time frame; however, we are hopefully going to accomplish this prior to this date. The Warden gave a brief overview of how this testing is accomplished. We will continue to have our regular visiting program in place for this testing.
· The Tobacco Ban is scheduled for full implementation by July 1, 2005. A curriculum has been prepared for academic and vocational students regarding this ban. Coach Adney is taking sign-ups for other inmates interested in the program.
· Information regarding the activation of Delano II was given at the last meeting. The activation has been rescheduled for July 2005.
· The Warden gave a brief overview of different types of munitions. An example of the 40MM round was displayed. This is a less lethal type of munition.
· The Prison Law Office toured San Quentin and found quite a few issues regarding health care. At this time San Quentin is in the process of transferring 500 inmates out to facilitate appropriate health care services.
· Mr. J. Stokes is now acting Chief Deputy Warden at San Quentin and Mr. J. Salazar is acting Chief Deputy Warden at Centinela.
LOCAL ISSUES:
· The Warden gave a brief overview of the program status on all facilities. At this time, Facility “D” remains on modified program. The remainder of the institution is back to normal programming.
· The Warden gave a brief overview of the population on Minimum Support Facility
(Level I). Our population has been brought down to 300 from the previous 400.
· The Level IV population on Facility “C” is at approximately 40 inmates. It is projected that by the end of next week, all Level IV’s should be eliminated from Facility “C”.
The most current Activation Schedule reflects reactivation of Facility “C” Gym in May 2005.
· The Men’s Advisory Committee, after an inmate fundraising effort, donated to
El Centro Regional Medical Center’s Pediatric Unit. A presentation was recently made for this donation.
· The fundraising efforts of the inmate population have netted approximately $10,000.00. A meeting is being held today with the MAC regarding donations. The suggestion was made to utilize approximately $2000.00 for toys for the kids in the visiting areas.
· The Light Duty Policy was briefly discussed. At this time we can no longer utilize correctional officers in light duty positions unless it is in their own classification. This will increase the work load in the Mailroom as we have been utilizing light duty correctional officers in this area.
· The 9th Circuit Court has mandated that the inmates receive bulk mail. This will be increasing the work load in the Mailroom also. This mail must be addressed to the inmate – not just resident or occupant.
· J. Woodford, Director, will be touring the institution on May 24th.
· The Grand Jury Tour, given on the lst of April, was very favorable. Their tour consisted of, but was not limited to, the Correctional Treatment Center, Receiving and Release, Culinary, Ad Seg, and the General Population. We will be looking for our report in approximately 60 days.
· The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 13, 2005.
New Issues:
The Committee wanted clarification regarding the patios. Are all patios uniform in their requirements?
The Committee brought of the issue of the distribution of Modified Programs. The misinterpretation by staff is becoming a problem. The Warden indicated that during our daily Modified Program Meeting staff is apprised of any changes in the program for the next day. The Modified Program is signed off by the Captain of the yard and the Warden, before distribution.
The Committee requested that a copy of the MAC Minutes be provided. The Warden indicated that after a quarterly MAC Meeting, the Committee will be given a copy of the minutes.
Connie and James Pappas, from Desert Rio Vending, attended this meeting. They briefly went over the changes in the subcontract with the Host Vending. They will be providing a three-month menu for the vending machines. Upcoming changes will be made with this transition.