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Montgomery County Department of Correction & Rehabilitation

MONTGOMERY COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Clarksburg Citizens and Business Advisory Group
Monthly Meeting

August 19, 2003

ATTENDANCE

Bina Allgood, Lt. Joe Anastasi, Rob Green, Nancy Hislop, Steve Howie, Cathy Jewell, Loretta McClintock,

MONTGOMERY COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MCCFAC) BY LAWS

The By-Laws for the reorganized community group (Montgomery County Correctional Facility Advisory Committee) were handed out. The group reviewed Art’s additions to the By-Laws concerning Membership. There was discussion on what to call the membership in Article V; subcommittees, focus areas, permanent members, adhoc committees, and representative members. What areas of membership should be represented? Should one committee be all encompassing involving all ethnic groups? Should the list be organizational members and focus members, separately? Does the re-entry community need to be recognized? Everyone agreed that there should be a statement referencing how the membership could be amended in the future (a flexibility clause). Agreed upon changes will be made and the new By-Laws will be issued with the mailing of the minutes.

Rob reported that the Federal Inmates arrived at MCCF two weeks ago. The total number is a maximum of 75 inmates. These individuals are parole violators and awaiting transport to Federal Prison. Steve asked how this Federal inmate population has changed over the last decade. It would be hard to determine with this type of Federal inmate (parole violators).

The Federal inmates that are now at MCCF seem to be appreciative in having clear rules, a clean facility, and possibility of attending programs.

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ACCREDITATION

The Sheriff’s Department went through an accreditation assessment in August by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. Steve reported on the evening he spoke during the public information session about the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. He addressed the agency’s ability to comply with the Commission’s standards.

OPERATIONAL REPORT

The most problematic focus area at MCCF at this time is mental health. There have been decreases in the State mental health budget and as a result there are approximately 80 inmates for every one mental health bed anywhere in the State. Since the 70’s, the State can not keep up with the growing number of mentally ill and the co-occurring disorder (substance abuse) individuals. We have cases where we are holding individuals for 2 to 3 months just waiting to go to a State hospital to get a court ordered evaluation. Our therapist’s caseloads are very high trying to manage the mental health population. It is a population that needs a lot of help and service.

This past month we have criminally charged a number of inmates for damages to the facility. These are crimes against tax payers’ property. We give them a chance to pay for the damages. If they don’t pay for the damages we take them to court and criminally charge them. The word gets out that crime inside the jail is the same as crime outside the jail.

Loretta asked how Direct Supervision was working. Rob reported that it is going very well. There have been a few assaults on staff. Are the females able to also handle these types of situations? The female correctional officers are very capable of handling the inmates.

CONSTRUCTION HOUSE

The construction house, which housed the Construction Project staff, is to be demolished in the near future. The Montgomery County Police will use it for a training exercise before it is demolished. Before demolition, Cathy Jewell requested that the huge rock be moved to the Kingsley Wilderness School. There is 25 years of school history with the rock. There is also a time capsule (15 years old) that needs to be dug up and returned to Cathy before demolition. This information will be forwarded to Bill Novak for further disposition.

KINGSLEY WILDERNESS SCHOOL

Cathy requested an update on the Moneysworth House. She will need to contact Bill Novak for this information.

Cathy reported that school will begin on August 26. Buses arrive at approximately 9:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and depart at 4:15 p.m. She has concerns about vehicles speeding on Whelan Lane. There have been some close calls with buses on the curves on Whelan Lane. Rob will make an announcement about speeding and safety on this road.

Hunting was a large problem last year on the surrounding County property. Joe explained that the Police can do nothing if there are no signs prohibiting hunting. Rob will see that no hunting signs are posted.

There are concerns about the high growth on Whelan Lane, especially at the entrance. MCCF now has the equipment to do our own landscaping and mowing. There are PRC residents that are brought up to do the mowing, etc. as often as possible.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Germantown Oktoberfest is to be held October 3rd and 4th at Seneca Creek State Park. Nancy will contact Rob for help from Corrections during this event.

The next meeting will be September 16, 2003
at MCCF, in the Warden’s Conference Room (second floor)