Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Lancaster County Prison Board January 16, 2025 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 Building. Members Present: Commissioner Joshua Parsons, Commissioner Ray D'Agostino, Commissioner Alice Yoder, President Judge Leonard Brown, Deputy Sheriff Marc Shaffer, District Attorney Heather Adams and Deputy Controller Kathy Kunkel. Others Present: Cheryl Steberger, Miguel Castro, Joseph Shiffer, Arla Brown, Bob Devonshire, Neil Ward, Beth Bowman, Jason Perkowski, Kim Wolfe, Kent Kroehler, Marcos Ramos, Jackie Pfursich, Dennis Dougherty, Tom Lisi, Wilson Carter, Heather Pack, Teri Miller-Landon, Ashley Kelly, Wilson Cortes, Brent Bavington, and David Krahling. Note: there were others present who did not sign in and whose identity is unknown. Commissioner D'Agostino moved to approve the minutes of the December 19, 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; Bob Devonshire, Director of General Services; and Kathy Kunkel, Deputy 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 gave her report on the Prison in-house population. In December 2023, 738 was the average population compared to December 2024, the average population was 776. This morning the total is 768. She noted that of the 768 inmates, 104 are female residents. Warden Steberger provided figures on the admissions and discharges from the prison for 2024 and 2023. 2024: admissions 4,150; discharges 4,186. 2023: admissions 4,263; discharges 4,224. Warden Steberger reported that at approximately 5:57 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025 there was an inmate was reported to staff as having trouble breathing. The prison medical team responded immediately and called 911. He was transported to Penn Medicine and soon released from custody. He passed away on January 8th at the age of 58. He had been a at LCP since October. The county coroner will be providing information on the manner and cause of death. Prison Board Meeting Minutes January 16, 2025 Page 2 Warden Steberger reported the loss of staff member Trent Ford, a 13 year employee at LCP, who died on Xmas Eve. The Berks County honor guard worked with the LCP honor guard and attended the funeral to honor Mr. Ford. The prison staff had a bake and food sale to help with the funeral expense. She said Mr. Ford will be dearly missed. Deputy Warden, Miguel Castro, reported on the Officers of the Month for December 2024:1st shift Officer Treshawn Jones, 2nd shift Officer Christopher Shirey, and 3rd shift Officer Bruce Martin. Deputy Warden Castro stated that they all are an asset to the Prison and show exemplary skills and abilities in their work duties. Deputy Warden Castro reported on the Operations Offices of the Month for December 2024. Officer Miguel Albino was selected as December's Operations Office of the month. Deputy Warden Castro stated that Officer Albino works well with his co-workers and has the ability to network with other county departments and agencies. He also sets up and coordinates most of the video conferencing at the prison. Deputy Warden Castro provided staffing updates. Currently there are two sergeant vacancies. There is a conditional offer of employment to a candidate for the vacant lieutenant position, which was accepted. On January 13, 2025, thirteen new officers will be part of that training class. Deputy Warden Castro reported that December ended with 47 correctional officer vacancies. Deputy Warden Shiffer reported on the MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment Program). He noted that the participation continues to grow. As reported last month, they continue inductions, yesterday there was a total of 141 participants on the MAT line. He noted 121 received Subutex and 17 received methadone. In December, two inmates received Vivitrol. He introduced Ashley Kelly, Reentry Program Manager to provide an update on the Reentry program. Ms. Kelly reported that they expanded the AA digital literacy classes to 6 cell blocks and will be provided to male and female groups. Ms. Kelly introduced Heather Pack, Reentry Program Coordinator, and noted a recent example of Heather's hard work to coordinate a discharge for an inmate with no family. Commissioner Yoder stated that in her visits with the reentry staff, she can see that the staff is working as a team and are really engaged to provide efficient and creative thinking to their job tasks. Deputy Warden Shiffer reported that 4 individuals were hired for vacant positions and are currently in training. Deputy Warden Shiffer reported on the year end Chaplain Statistics. He noted that the Prison Ministries contract has 4 chaplains and made 2,655 visits for 11,441 inmates during the year. Deputy Warden Shiffer reported that the Prison held the Bleed Blue Challenge Blood Drive on Tuesday January 14, 2025. This was a law enforcement competition. It was very successful with 52 blood donations from employees and guests. They plan on Prison Board Meeting Minutes January 16, 2025 Page 3 future drives. Commissioner Yoder also participated in the Blood Drive and thanked Joe and staff for their hard work. Arla Brown, Administrative Director, gave her administrative report. She reported that a candidate was selected for the Fiscal Technician Position with an anticipated start date of January 27, 2025. She reported the day of the previous month with the highest population was December 3rd at 826. As noted last month, with the integration of ATIMS, her intent is to provide additional data for monthly reporting. Ms. Brown stated that if there is additional data that the anyone would like addressed or included in this forum, please contact her. Ms. Brown reported that as part of Title 37, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is scheduled for a walk through on February 11, 2025 at the prison. They will inspect all the prison departments to make sure the prison is in compliance with DOC regulations. Ms. Brown noted that the prison provided supplemental documentation to the DOC in advance. The last inspection was October 2023. Bob Devonshire, Director of General Services, gave the Facilities Management Report. Mr. Devonshire reported that they are working on the new correctional facility project. Work orders in December 2024 were 121; with 1244 work orders year to date. There were 104 work orders per month on average and 133 work orders per month for a 5- year average. Deputy Controller Kathy Kunkel gave the financial report for December. Deputy controller Kunkel reported on the operating revenues and expenditures 2024. Total revenue increased by $14,771.78; Personal expenses increased by approximately $2,028,545.57; supplies increased by $187,970.43; and purchased services increased by $610,988.05. This gives a grand total increase of $2,827,504.05. Deputy Controller Kunkel reported on the Prison Maintenance Expenditures. The increase in supplies was $1,230.82; the increase in purchased services was $103,698.29; totaling an increase of $104,929.11. Deputy Controller Kunkel reported that the update to the Inmate General Welfare Fund (IGWF) will be provided in March 2025 after the year has been closed out and all monetary transfers made. Warden Steberger reported on the new prison project. The Warden stated that at a December 31,2024 public meeting, the commissioners approved the August version of the schematic design and for staff to seek a construction manager for the project. Commissioner Yoder asked if there was a new timeline on next steps for the project. Warden Steberger responded that she and other county staff and consultants plan to Prison Board Meeting Minutes January 16, 2025 Page 4 have a meeting Friday to discuss next steps. The Warden will see that the approved design is posted on the website. (www.lcclpa.com). In business from guests, Kent Kroehler, Have a Heart, asked about the stack of bunks with use no more than 90 days. He is pleased there is no stack of bunks in the new jail. Mr. Kroehler stated that with the recent prison death, he finds any death diminishes us. He asked for the board and prison staff to take a hard look into how to prevent all deaths as these are persons in our care. Following a lengthy discussion regarding the crime, it was agreed that there is a lot that goes into setting bail and the reasons for placing someone in jail. Deputy Warden Shiffer stated that the prison MISA committee has weekly meetings regarding chronic care cases and provides the best care to inmates. There will be a post-mortem review and a continuum of improvement. Mr. Kroehler asked if there is an increase in population from a homeless sweep. He asked about tracking in ATIMS and whether they will be information to identify those in jail that were homeless. The response was homeless admissions are not currently tracked but will be with ATIMS. The statistics would be kept by the inmate voluntarily providing that there is no home address, not from any homeless sweeps tracking. Tom Lisi, LNP, asked when the advisory committee held its last meeting. Commissioner Parsons stated that he did not know exactly when the committee stopped holding meetings. He stated that they gathered the information that was required and now it's shifted to new phases. Commissioner Parsons said the committee could potentially reconvene if staff request it. Pastor Jason Perkowski, Manheim Township, asked if there are areas that we can coordinate better to provide additional resources to the Prison. Commissioner Yoder suggested that he work with the prison reentry staff and eventually get a reentry committee/coalition working out in the community. Neil Ward, Have a Heart, asked about the phone contract. Warden Steberger stated the contract is currently under review. Commissioner D' Agostino moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 a.m. Commissioner Yoder seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The next meeting will be held on February 20, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. Sincerely, - X leo RGGR ME Lisa K. Colôn Controller