Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Lancaster County Prison Board April 17, 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, Sheriff Chris Leppler, District Attorney Heather Adams, and Controller Lisa Colôn. Others Present: Cheryl Steberger, Miguel Castro, Joseph Shiffer, Arla Brown, Bob Devonshire, Ashley Kelly, Neil Ward, Christina Pedigree, Hanna Sutton, Kim Wolfe, Kent Kroehler, Mike Fitzpatrick, Larry George, Marcos Ramos, Jackie Pfursich, Gail Groves-Scott, Wilson Carter, Daniel Heisey, Tom Lisi, Stacy Emminger, Beth Brandt, William Manotti V, Justin Hackler, Erin Duganitz, Dan Klinger, Lydia Kovalchuk and Kathy Kunkel. Note: there were others present who did not sign in and whose identity is unknown. Commissioner Yoder moved to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2025, Prison Board meeting. Commissioner D'Agostino 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 Lisa Colon, 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 March 2024, 773 was the average population compared to March 2025, the average population was 798. This morning the total is 798 with 116 of those being female residents. Warden Steberger noted that the population exceeded the 800 mark this month at 801. The Warden reported that they opened an additional housing unit and now have three women's housing units. Warden Steberger provided an overview of the preliminary seven findings from the Title 37 inspection. She noted items such as: the need for written inmate rules and staff procedures, need for inventory records of keys, housing and physical plant maintenance needs, removal of stack of bunks except in medical and intake areas, inventory sheets for wheel chair and walker equipment, inventory tracking sheets for the mental health area and nurse carts, inventory of barber equipment, inventory of cleaning materials, and providing a schedule in the urban area for inmates to get fresh air during the week. Prison Board Meeting Minutes April 17, 2025 Page 2 The Warden noted that they were asked to implement changes and repairs or have a written plan to resolve the findings within a 30 day period. As of April 11, the prison met full compliance. In response to District Attorney Adams question on the use of stack of bunks, the Warden noted that only 11 stack of bunks are in use today in the intake and medical units. Commissioner Yoder asked about the breakdown of the 7 findings and the Warden stated there were 3 citations and 4 deficiencies. The Warden noted that the inspection team had good comments about the prison from the staff and inmates. She agreed that the new ATIMS software will be a big help in monitoring and tracking prison regulations. The next inspection will occur in two years, now that they have met full compliance. The report of the preliminary findings is posted on the prison website. Miguel Castro, Deputy Warden of Operations, reported on the Officers of the Month for March 2025: 1st shift Officer Lane Buckwalter, 2nd shift Officer William Manotti,V, and 3rd shift Officer Jessenia Agosto. Deputy Warden Castro stated that they all showed exemplary skills and abilities in their work duties. Officer Manotti V was invited to the podium and stated that he was glad to be part of the team for seven years and enjoys working at the prison and also working with his father, a Corrections Officer for 27 years. He received a round of applause from those in attendance. Deputy Warden Castro stated the Operations Officer selected for the Month of March was Officer Ricky Gonzalez. He noted a new recognition for Supervisor of the Quarter Supervisor for the 1st Quarter 2025 is Sergeant James Schnader. Sergeant Snader came forward to accept his award. He received a round of applause from those in attendance. Deputy Warden Castro reported that on March 25, 2025, he along with Officer Saldia, Officer Hamsher, and Inmate Services Specialist Brommer attended the Public Safety Training Center's Career Day. He noted that Officer Hamsher and Inmate Services Specialist Brommer sat on the panel and represented the prison well. Deputy Warden Castro provided staffing updates. Currently there are two sergeant vacancies. On March 28, 2025 a class of 10 new officers graduated from basic training. They are currently finishing field training with veteran officers. Deputy Warden Castro reported that March ended with 31 correctional officer vacancies. Joe Shiffer, Deputy Warden for Inmate Services, thanked Dan Heisey, Justice & Mercy organization for visiting the prison for Easter and handing out chocolate crosses to the inmates and staff. He noted that the were 21 volunteers who helped. He noted that Tom Zeager and his wife Helen, started this program many years ago. Deputy Warden Shiffer invited Marcos Ramos, Director of inmate Services and Ashley Kelly, Reentry Coordinator, to the podium to present an overview of a new Holistic Wellness Program that will be evidenced based, with a curriculum and data Prison Board Meeting Minutes April 17, 2025 Page 3 management. Ms. Kelly noted that it will focus on the individual's physical well-being, including emotions and feelings, social and spiritual. The program includes an environmental support system and intellectual financial and occupational aid. They noted their appreciation in the Commissioners approving the new position which will be posted soon for this new program. Both Commissioners D'Agostino and Yoder stated they were happy to see this programming coming together with a focus on data reporting. Deputy Warden Shiffer gave an overview of the Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance (DSAA) and said they support the MAT program by providing a case management plan to keep connections to community services upon release. Deputy Warden Shiffer noted excellent 90 day recidivism rates of 12.2% for Subutex, and 9.92 % for Methadone are a result of the DSAA program. He invited Beth Brandt, Reentry Peer Support Specialist from DSAA, to speak about her work. She emphasized her role in building support and developing trust for the inmate to reconnect with the community. She noted that there are often those with both financial needs and clothing needs upon release. Arla Brown, Administrative Director, gave her administrative report. Ms. Brown noted that they continue to have one vacant position for the fiscal payroll technician. Ms. Brown reported that the Department of Corrections Title 37 findings are posted on the prison website. She said she will be posting the Title 37 sections for the public and highlight the 11 sections that are critical and must be passed by a prison. Ms. Brown stated that if there is additional data that anyone would like addressed or included in this forum, please contact her. 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 March 2025 were 125; with 375 work orders year to date. There were 125 work orders per month on average and 129 work orders per month for a 5-year average. As stated last month, the close out 2024 financials will not be completed until the end of April. Controller Colon stated there was no transfer made for the Inmate General Welfare Fund because the ending balance was $341,680.08 which is under the $500,000 threshold per policy. A report should be available at the next Prison Board meeting. Warden Steberger reported on the new prison project. The Warden noted the Design Development phase is continuing. This phase focuses on further developing important aspects of the project which includes: the exterior and interior of the building, layouts, room sizes and the materials needed for construction. As part the Design Development Prison Board Meeting Minutes April 17, 2025 Page 4 phase the Commissioners approved the issuance of the RFP for construction management services for the new correctional facility. The RFP was made available on Thursday April 3 and the County will receive proposals on or before May 7th and will follow the county procurement process. The RFP documents are available at the Public Purchase website as well as the new correctional facility project website. The Warden noted that seeking a Construction Management Services team will aid in the next phase of design development. The Warden stated that yesterday she and Bob Devonshire spent the day with TranSystems and PrimeCare to review the medical facility layout for the new facility. They also met with CYA this week to review the lobby design for child visits. In business from guests, Gail Groves-Scott, Health Policy Network, asked if the inmates will be allowed more outdoor activities since the new facility will be in a country setting. Warden Steberger said the new facility involves natural lighting with more windows, and to see outside. Bob Devonshire noted that the HVAC will have air exchange SO it's not circulating the same air. Hannah Sutton, LNP, asked why the prison doesn't use inmates for litter cleanup on roads. Warden Steberger and Commissioner Parsons responded that sending out inmates to clean up highways presents considerable staffing and security issues. Commissioner Parsons said that inmates participating in such a program would need to be eligible for work release which is granted by the courts. Unlike a work release program where an employer supervises inmates, the prison staff would need to oversee the inmates in a highway cleanup. Commissioner Parsons said that litter pickup along highways poses safety risks. Besides the staffing issues the program in the past caused security issues related to contraband. Neil Ward, West Earl Township, asked about those getting house arrest VS. work release. President Judge Brown stated that house arrest is more restrictive than work release. He noted that the courts have really increased the use of electronic monitoring. Mr. Kroehler, Have a Heart, asked if there was an update on Work Release in the new facility and the Warden stated it is a bid alternate and is under assessment. In response to his question on funding for the MAT program, the Warden said funding does not come from Federal Medicaid. Dan Klinger, Elizabethtown, stated that the commissary generated $271,000 in revenue this past month. He said Commissioner Parsons has stated that monies from the commissary fund go back to the general fund. He asked if a percentage could be used to offset rising inmate medical costs. Commissioner Parsons stated that whether it's Inmate General Welfare Fund monies or the General Fund, it's spent on inmates. Mr. Kroehler asked about the phone contract due in July 2025. Ms. Brown stated the current contract has been extended through 2026. Mr. Kroehler asked about the Prison Board Meeting Minutes April 17, 2025 Page 5 Federal rules on phone contracts and if they are changing. Ms. Brown stated there is no information at this time. Tom Lisi, LNP, asked about security policies at the prison. Commissioner Parsons responded that the Prison Stat meetings cover a lot of his questions. Commissioner Yoder stated that ATIMS can provide information sO it can be issued on a regular basis such as the count of admissions, discharges, and dispositions. Ms. Groves-Scott stated that with regards to Mr. Ward's question on the recent increase in the prison population, she felt the increase was based upon police actions around concerns about overdosing. She felt people on drugs should not be a policing issue and rather than have individuals in prison, they need a healthcare setting and should be on a maintenance drugs. Ms. Groves-Scott asked about the prison's policies for full body scanners such as public health requirements for: consent, certain implants, are employees checked? She also felt the Prison's policy of no contact visitation does not reduce contraband. Commissioner Parsons said he disagrees. The implementation of no contact visitation and full body scanners has greatly reduced contraband from entering the prison. He said security controls in place are much better than when he came in 2017. 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 15, 2025, at 9:15 a.m. Sincerely, x : an RG6N Lisa K. Colôn Controller