Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Lancaster County Prison Board January 18, 2024  The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Joshua Parsons at 9:15 a.m. at the  Lançaster County Conference Room.  Members Present: Commissioner Joshua Parsons, Commissioner Ray D'Agostino, Commissioner Alice Yoder, Judge David Ashworth, Sheriff Christopher Riggs, District Attorney Heather Adams and Controller Lisa  Colôn.  Not Present: Sheriff Christopher Leppler.  Others Present: Arla Brown, Karlee Shambaugh, Cheryl Steberger, Annie Flaud, Andrew Collins, Ronny Gomez, Jayden Perez, Nori Torres, Alyssa Rhoades, Ivory Suarez, Skylar Kaltreider, Joseph Dewitt, Jesus Muriel- Ramos, Katrina Smith, Samuel Berebile, Luke Shreiner, Sam Coleman, Karlee Shambaugh, Dave Krahling, James Ivery, Allison King, Scott Theurer, Kim Wolfe, Kim McDermott, Jason Perkowski, Jennifer Nissley, Mark Wilson, Wayne Freeh, Carrie Kurtz, Kent Kroehler, Jackie Pfursich, Christina Peddigree, Tom Lisi, Louis Chirichello, Jonathan Fox, Christina Note: there were others present who did not sign in and whose identity is  Fluegel, Justin Hackler, and Kathy Kunkel.  unknown.  Commissioner Parsons stated that because the agenda was not sent out within 24 hours of the meeting (mainly due to two snow day closings within a holiday week), the Board will postpone the approval of the December 21, 2023 minutes until next month's Prison Board meeting. In addition, the reorganization of the Board will take place next month. Cheryl Steberger, Warden; Justin Hackler, Acting Major; Christina Fluegel, Reentry Manager, on behalf of Joseph Shiffer, Deputy Warden for Inmate Services; Arla Brown, Director of Administration, Robert Devonshire, Director of General Services; and Lisa Colôn, Controller, gave reports on their areas of responsibility. All these reports, including operations and statistical information, are posted on the County's website. Warden Steberger reported that the next PrisonStat meeting is scheduled for February 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room at the Lancaster County Administrative Office Building. She stated that these meetings have proved to be Warden Steberger welcomed the new class of twelve correctional officers in attendance who started Monday. Currently the staffing has 32 correctional officer vacancies.  beneficial in educating the public and staff.    Prison Board Minutes January 18, 2024 Page 2  Warden Steberger reported on the population. In December 2022, 710 was the average. The Warden reported that in 2023 there were 4,263 admissions and 4,224 discharges. For 2022, there were 3,863 admissions and 3,873 discharges. She noted that this shows the constant flow of inmates in and out of the prison shows a lot of work is being done Warden Steberger reported that at approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday January 4, 2024, an inmate was found unresponsive during a routine cell check. The staff performed CPR and lifesaving efforts until EMS arrived and the inmate was pronounced deceased. The city police and the Lancaster County prison investigator were called in to investigate. It was determined by the County Coroner's Office that he had vascular disease and died of natural causes. In addition, the prison's Prime Care staff will perform a review today Inr response to Tom Lisi's question on whether or not it is typical to issue a report to the media on the day of the incident, Commissioner Parsons stated that we do not necessarily have a policy on it, but we do try to generally report it to the media as Justin Hackler, Acting Major, reported the officers of the month for December: First shift: Officer Frantz Desse; Second shift: William Hilton; Third shift: Huy Luu. The officers were not able to attend. Currently there are three Sergeant vacancies and one Captain vacancy. It should also be noted that 12 new correctional officers are currently in the Christina Fluegel, Reentry Manager, on behalf of Joseph Shiffer, Deputy Warden of Inmate Services, gave an update on the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. She reported that in December there were 51 participants on Subutex (1 yr. recidivism 38.7%, 90 days 13.7%) and 20 participants on Methadone (180 day recidivism rate of 50% and 90 days 11.8%). She stated the staff and team partners meet biweekly to discuss programming. Ms. Fluegel noted that they have revamped the policy for child visits and are working with C&YA to update the policy to allow more visit times. In response to Commissioner Yoder's question on how the MAT statistics compare to other prisons and the industry norm, Ms. Fluegel said she would have to look into that. Arla Brown, Administrative Director, reported they have two vacancies in the department. For barbering services for the month of October, they provided 57 haircuts, 20 were indigent. Following the Title 37 inspection that took place October 10, 2023, the prison received the preliminary Tile 37 inspection findings noting that we have taken appropriate  for December 2023, it was 738. This morning the total is 749.  by staff.  which is required for all cases within 30 days of a death.  quickly as we can.  first week of training.    Prison Board Minutes January 18, 2024 Page 3 be in 2025.  action to meet regulatory guidelines and are in full compliance. The next inspection will Ms. Brown noted that the Controller's Office is currently conducting an audit oft the inmate finances for the calendar years 2022 and 2023 as a prerequisite of Title 37. She is Ms. Brown stated that she will be compiling the annual General Information Report with "snapshot date" of Wednesday January 31, 2024 on population and demographic data, The final report will be available on the Department of Correction's website. Ms. Brown noted on January 23 and 24, 2024, Linda Schreiner Purchasing Director, will be presenting to the Board of Commissioners a recommendation for a contract extension In closing, Ms. Brown stated that if there is additional data that anyone would like Robert Devonshire, Director of General Services, reported on work orders. On behalf of the department of General Services, they continue to work with the advisory team on the new correctional facility project. At the current facility there are 120 work orders for the month of December 2023 and the running monthly average for the facility was 159 for Mr. Devonshire gave a legionella update and stated that following the monochloramine pump installation in late November 2023 that all tests came back negative. He stated that the ongoing routine is for staff to make sure chlorine is in the system and to test the Ph and that valves are opened and flushed in any cells not occupied. In addition, the County's outside vendor will be performing recurring tests. In response to Commissioner Yoder's question regarding avoiding this problem in the new facility, Mr. Devonshire stated that as part of the design plan, he is working with the team of project engineers on the overall circulation system, installation of a monochloramine pump and a Lisa Colon, Controller, reported as of December 31, 2023, the Prison's total revenues increased by $29,987.30. Personnel Services increased by $1.9 million, $22,000 in supplies, $560,000 for Purchased Services and $20.00 in Capital Expenditures. This is at total increase in expenses of $2.5 million since last month. For the Prison Maintenance category, there has been an increase in purchased services $65,277.32 for a total Warden Steberger gave an update on the new prison project program. she noted that TranSystems is working on the schematic phase of the project. The Warden reported  hoping to have the audit results in the upcoming months.  for the prison inmate telephone services.  addressed or included in this forum, please feel free to contact her.  2023. For the entire year of 2023 there were 1,745 work orders.  procedure for flushing out lines in cells that are not in use.  increase of $65,277.32.    Prison Board Minutes January 18, 2024 Page 4  that the LCCF advisory committee hosted a public listening session on the evening of January 11. Approximately twelve community members asked questions covering topics including returning inmates to the community, reduction of the number of beds, overall programming, and sustainability efforts. The Warden stated notes from the meeting will Warden Steberger noted that back in 2012 the prison had a population of 1301 and had tol house inmates in the gym. And today the population is 755. She stated that a lot of people think we're building a new jail because we're overcrowded but that is not the reason. She said the hard work of the Judges, Adult Probation & Parole, and the Public Defenders Office and the use of specialty courts has reduced the population. The Warden stated that she was pleased that Judge Reinaker spoke at the meeting about the changes made over the years to reduce the prison population. Commissioner Yoder referenced the District. Attorney's Office's implementation ofalternatives to incarceration. Judge Ashworth stated that the courts will continue best practices. Commissioner Yoder asked that the Warden consider getting input for the new prison programming from current inmates or those who have left within two years (lived experience) sO that we Linda Schreiner, Purchasing Director, attended the meeting to discuss a recommendation for a contract extension for the prison inmate telephone services she will be presenting to the Board of Commissioners. Ms. Shreiner stated that the new agreement with Securus Technologies is an extension of a previous contract from 2015 due to expire in September 2024. She stated that a flat rate of 15 cents per minute will replace a more complicated rate structure that ranged between 17 cents to 25 cents a minute, depending on whether calls were local or long distance and whether they were prepaid or collect. The new contract is valid through September 2026 and the County can opt into two one-year extensions if needed. The contract's end date coincides with The prison inmate telephone services is a revenue generator for the prison. The money goes into the inmate welfare account that helps pay for inmate services inside the prison, including for indigent individuals who are unable to pay for certain services. In 2022 the county collected about $78,000 a month or $936,800 for the year from the contract with Securus. Under the new terms the lower rates would translate to about $776,400 a year. Acounty policy limits the inmate welfare fund to $500,000 and any excess funds can be deposited each year into the county's general fund if the balance goes over the limit. Commissioner Parsons stated that the lower rate is in part because of public feedback. He noted that last time a lower rate was approved and again the Purchasing Department negotiated to lower the rate this time as well. Commissioner Yoder suggested the prison  be shared on the project website Iccf-pa.com.  hear from people using the services.  the county's timeline to have a new prison facility.  review the phone system's impact on families and recidivism.    Prison Board Minutes January 18, 2024 Page 5  Jason Perkowski, member oft the bail reform coalition, stated that he was unable to attend the listening session but heard good things from his team. He was pleased that there was a response to questions and thanked the Board and the work they are doing. He liked the idea of getting some focus groups that are culturally diverse or have had "lived" experience from their time in jail to be part oft the prison design and programming. Kent Kroehler, Have a Heart, referenced the name of the jail VS. prison and that the In response to his question regarding why the prison will be two tiers instead of one tier, the Warden stated that it was the intention to always be two tiers. She emphasized that the facility will be ACA/ADA compliant. She stated that visitation will have more privacy in sound and visibility. She noted that family visitation will be available by ZOOM as well. With regard to shorter stays of parole violations (p.v's.), she noted the courts are trying to expedite the process and progress has been made. Judge Ashworth stated there has been an increase in hearings and the review process to reduce incarceration time. He reported that there is new legislation in June that will affect how p.v.'s and how Mark Wilson, Director of Adult Probation & Parole, stated that the percentage of p.v.'s at the prison is approximately 30-38% which is down from 50% I past years. He will Jonathan Fox asked the board if there has there been any thought on adding more community members to the advisory board. Commissioner Parsons answered we are committed to having the community discussion throughout and is always good to have Tom Lisi asked about the process to changing the advisory committee. Commissioner Parsons stated that that would be an internal decision that could be discussed at a Neil Ward, Have a Heart, stated that he was concerned about the environmental impact on the community and quality of life in the surrounding area with traffic, potential water runoff into the Conestoga River, and the need for porous parking lots. In response to his question that little space is provided in the design for training rooms, Warden Steberger stated that unlike the current jail, training space is incorporated in  facility is not just a prison.  new charges are handled in the court system.  provide an updated report at the next meeting.  community input and we will continue to do that.  administrative meeting.  the housing units.    Prison Board Minutes January 18, 2024 Page 6  Judge Ashworth noted that Judge Merrill Spann will be on the advisory board. He noted that Judge Spann has 21 years of previous experience in the Public Defender's Commissioner D'Agostino moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 a.m. Commissioner Yoder seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The next meeting is February 15,  Office.  2024, at 9:15 a.m.  submitted,  a  Lisa K. Colôn Secretary