Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Lancaster County Prison Board April 18, 2024  The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Joshua Parsons at 9:15 a.m. in the Public Meeting Room at the Lancaster County Administrative Office Members Present: Commissioner Joshua Parsons, Commissioner Ray D'Agostino, Commissioner Alice Yoder, Judge Merrill Spahn, Deputy Sheriff Marc Shaffer, District Attorney Heather Adams and Deputy Controller Kathy Others Present: Arla Brown, Karlee Shambaugh, Allison Kay, Cheryl Steberger, Beth Bowman, Joe Shiffer, Bob Devonshire, Miguel Castro, Judy Erb, Sarah Sample, Karlee Shambaugh, Kim Wolfe, Todd Haskins, Tina Ling Collins, Jason Perkowski, Jennifer Nissley, Kent Kroehler, William Carter, Tom Lisi, Carrie Kurtz, Louis Chirichello, Christina Fluegel, Marcos Ramos, Tom Zeager, Helen Zeager, Gail Groves Scott, Neil Ward, Susan Note: there were others present who did not sign in and whose identity is  Building.  Kunkel.  Ostermann, and Michelle Batt.  unknown.  Commissioner D'Agostino moved to approve the minutes of the March 21, 2024 Prison Board meeting. Commissioner Yoder seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Cheryl Steberger, Warden; Miguel Castro, Deputy Warden of Operations; Joseph Shiffer, Deputy Warden for Inmate Services; Arla Brown, Director of Administration; Robert Devonshire, Director of General Services; and Kathy Kunkel Deputy Controller, gave reports on their areas of responsibility. All these reports, including operations and Warden Steberger gave her report on the population. In March 2023, 719 was the average population compared to March 2024, the average population was 773. This Warden Steberger thanked Tom and Helen Zeager of Justice & Mercy for the chocolate crosses they provided for Chocolate Cross Day held at the prison on March 31, 2024. The Warden noted that they have been providing this service for eighteen years. The Warden stated that 44 volunteers worked along with the prison staff to distribute chocolate Deputy Warden, Miguel Castro, reported on the officers of the month of March. First shift: Officer Dakota Sowers. Second shift: Officer Michael Dittler; and third shift: Officer  statistical information, are posted on the County's website.  morning the total is 730.  crosses to the inmates.    Prison Board Minutes April 18, 2024 Page 2  Samantha Stamper. Deputy Warden Castro reported that there are 3 newly promoted sergeants and 3 new correctional officers in the training process. He noted that there is 1s sergeant vacancy and 2 lieutenant vacancies. There are 11 new correctional officers who graduated from the Prison's academy in March. Currently there are 25 correctional Inr response to Commissioner Yoder's question regarding the number of correctional officer vacancies and how it is trending, both Deputy Warden Castro and Warden Steberger stated that vacancies of 25-27 is manageable and LCP is in a relatively good place with staffing. Historically, LCP has been 15-20 officers short, pre-covid. Joseph Shiffer, Deputy Warden, provided the Inmate Services Report. Deputy Warden Shiffer started by giving an update on the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Deputy Warden Shiffer stated that inductions started on April 1, 2024. Induction is when an individual comes into the facility and is assessed by the medical team, they have the option of starting any of the MAT medications without needing a current prescription. Deputy Warden Shiffer reported that 71 individuals are on the MAT line. those. Since the program began in 2022, the total number of participants on Subutex is 312. number of. For the month of March, the total number of participants is 91 (1 yr. recidivism rate: 35.2%, 180-day recidivism rate: 23.7% and a 90-day recidivism rate: 13.6%). Since the beginning of the program last spring, the total number of participants using Methadone is6 66. The total number of participants on the line today is 14. For the month of March, the total number of participants is 24 (180-day recidivism rate: 47.1.0% and a 90-day Commissioner Yoder stated that she is pleased with the new initiatives and how the MAT program will help to reduce recidivism. Warden Shiffer stated that he meets with Deputy Warden Shiffer invited Christina Fleugel, Reentry Manager, and Marcos Ramos, Director of Inmate Services to the podium to report on the Drug and Alcohol Services, which is in correlation to the MAT program. Since December 2023, Marcos Ramos, Director of Inmate Services along with the drug and alcohol counselors, has been working diligently to increase the amount of drug and alcohol education programs they have throughout the facility. He stated that 42 participants graduated from the D&A program. In addition, they have 2 new counselors on staff who took 304 hours of  officer vacancies.  program.  There have been 14 inductions as of today.  recidivism rate: 10.3%).  prison security and the medical staff on a weekly basis.  training to expand the programs.    Prison Board Minutes April 18, 2024 Page 3  Ms. Fleugel stated that she is working closely with the reentry and treatment staff on programming. She stated that she is working with Adult Probation and Parole Office to Jason Perkowski, member of the Bail Reform Correlation, asked if the surveys are given toall participants of the Drug & Alcohol classes or just the ones who have graduated. Arla Brown, Administrative Director, gave her administrative services report. She stated within her department they currently have two vacancies and are in the process of reorganizing the Business Department. She noted that the HR director is working on marketing and that they will attend two Job Fairs this month. Ms. Brown reported on the barbering services: for the month of April there were 44 haircuts with 11 of them being indigent. Ms. Brown reported that the prison met the compliance requirements for Title 37 inspection from the Department of Corrections. The next inspection will take place in 2025. She stated that if anyone would like additional data addressed or included in her Robert Devonshire, Director of General Services, gave the Facilities Management Report. For the month of March, the current number of work orders at the facility is 95. The current number of work orders for the year is 318 and running an average of 105 work orders a month. Mr. Devonshire also mentioned that they are still working on the Mr. Devonshire gave a summary of the top 5 areas of work requests from 2023 and the  ensure inmates apply for ID's prior to their release.  Mr. Ramos stated that they are all given a survey.  report, to contact her.  new correctional facility project. their percentage of total requests.  1. Plumbing 437 requests (22.05%) 2. Maintenance cells - 372 requests (18.77%) 3. Electrical - 209 requests (10.54%)  4. MEP- Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing - 190 requests (9.59%) 5. Custodial & HVAC 94 requests each (4.74% each)  Deputy Controller Kunkel gave the Prison report for the month of March.  The Prison's total revenues increased by $16,796.84.  For the Prison's Expenditures: Personnel Services increased by $3,033,225, $64,953.44 in supplies, $844,910.25 in Purchased Services, a decrease in capital expenditures of $1,695.75 for a total expense increase of $3,941,393.49.    Prison Board Minutes April 18, 2024 Page 4  For the Prison Maintenance category, there has been a $16,330.58 increase in supplies and in Purchased Services an increase of $136,441.15, and in capital expenditures an The year-end balance in 2023 Inmate General Welfare account was $500,000 after the For the first quarter of 2024 the IGWF received $365,368.38 in revenues and incurred $458,341.78 in expenses. The current balance in the 2024 IGWF account is $407,026. Warden Steberger reported on the new prison program. Warden Steberger stated based on the direction of the Commissioners during the program approval process of February, prison staff have been working with CGL to evaluate reducing the facilities bed count to approximately 1000 beds. Weekly meetings are held to see how the footprint of the new facility including population snapshots to evaluate the most appropriate areas where bed reduction can occur safely and effectively. Judge Spahn reported on the new advisory committee made up of a few staff members from the Public Defender's, District Attorney, and Court. Administration Offices to review the flow and processing of court cases from the MDJ offices and ways to reduce the average length of stay. He noted that the length of stay has many variables that affects case disposition time. He felt that changes will not be quick and that the 2025 court schedule is set. He is looking toward implementation for the 2026 court schedule. Inr response to Jason Perkowski's question regarding expanding the advisory committee to include a broader coalition of community members, Judge Spahn stated that for now, the committee has just formed and is set for internal review of the court procedures. While he is not opposed to public input, that will have to be in the future. Commissioner Parsons stated that Judge Spahn or President Judge Ashworth can update the Inr response to Tom Lisi's question on receiving responses from Warden Steberger and Deputy Warden Shiffer, Commissioner Parsons stated that he should ask his questions at public meetings, such as this. Commissioner Parsons stated that when Mr. Lisi has asked questions outside a public meeting, he has written stories with outright fabrications. He also stated that county officials who report to the Commissioner's Office do not have the authority to talk to the press without the office's permission. In business from guests, Gail Groves Scott, a Lancaster-Dased public health researcher and advocate, asked about the protocols for MAT and the basis for using the handcuffing policy for prisoners who voluntarily opt to receive MAT medications. While Warden Steberger and Deputy Warden Shiffer confirmed that they do handcuff prisoners while they administer medications, they felt strongly that they are taking precautions to make the facility safe. The Warden noted that prison staff had found evidence of medication being smuggled back to prisoners' cells by participants in the  increase of $13,753.07 for a total increase of $166,524.80. required transfer per the IGWF policy in the amount of $53,254.38.  committee's progress at future Prison Board meetings.    Prison Board Minutes April 18, 2024 Page 5  MAT when the program began in September 2022. They confirmed that pregnant Ms. Scott stated that she could not find any local facilities that use handcuffs when administering MAT medication. She noted that there are many published resources meant to guide correctional facilities and suggested their use for Best Practices. Susan Ostermann stated that the Warden had stated there were no handbooks for medication administration. She asked if they were provided a booklet of Best Practices would they follow it? Commissioner Parsons stated that the County is open to Best Neil Ward asked if there are remaining funds from the American Rescue Act to help pay fori inmates to make phone calls to loved ones. Commissioner D'Agostino said that the Michele Batt, a Lancaster attorney, stated that inmates with a substance abuse problem is a protected class under ADA. She felt it was a violation of an individual's civil rights and current practice could raise a potential issue. Commissioner Parsons stated that it is not helpful to threaten with litigation and curtails public discussion. He noted that the Prison has been very transparent running quarterly Prison Stat meetings for public input Neil Ward, West Earl, asked if there are remaining funds from the American Rescue. Act toh help pay for inmates with financial hardships to make phone calls to loved ones. Commissioner Parsons said that the use of the funds is restricted according to federal Kent Kroehler, Have a Heart, asked about two founded grievances on the Prime medical report. Deputy Warden Shiffer explained that they were noted and immediately resolved when filed by the inmates. Mr. Kroehler also asked if data was tracked on how many inmates voted. Deputy Warden Shiffer stated that the inmates are getting the Commissioner Parsons stated that the County complies with voter requirements, but it is not our job to do voter drives. He said it is not a core function of the prison. Ms. Scott came forward to reiterate there is technical support and resources available from various organizations and the Department of Corrections. She stated that it is a clear violation of ADA to have a protocol that applies to one class of patients and thought we have a restrictive policy. She suggested that they may be hearing from an attorney. Commissioner Parsons stated that threatening litigation is not helpful. He stated the goal of the prison is to protect people and provide a safe environment.  inmates on the MAT program are not handcuffed.  Practices.  use of the funds is restricted according to federal guidelines.  and discussion.  guidelines.  information to register but the prison does not track voting.    Prison Board Minutes April 18, 2024 Page 6  Commissioner D'Agostino moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 a.m. Commissioner Yoder seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The next meeting will be held on  May 16, 2024 at 9:15a.m.  Respectfully submitted, a SGBN C  Lisa K. Colôn Controller