MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRE-RELEASE SERVICES
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD

September 26, 2002

Members Attending:

The Pre-Release Services Community Advisory Board Meeting began at 3:35 P.M. by Chairperson John Lavigne.

Sue Wiant announced that both Ron Weiner and Marlene Beckman have had to resign from the Advisory Board due to other conflicts. Sue introduced Loretta McClintock from the Faith Community Group. Loretta stated that although she has no background in criminal justice, she has been volunteering at MCDC and Jessup. The opportunity rose for her to join the MCCF Advisory Board as she lives near by. Loretta stated that she is not interested in politics; her interest is in women's issues and aftercare.

No agenda had been prepared for this meeting since the composition of the group is changing and a discussion followed concerning just what regular items are needed for the agenda. A four year comparison chart (FY99 - FY02) was reviewed. There has been a major shift in the Bureau of Prison's use of PRS services. The BOP wants to place all inmates into community corrections and our Federal count is reflecting this. The last few months the average ADP for Federal residents has risen to 24. The chart also showed that the PRC suspensions and escapes are down; room and board income is down as residents require more time to find employment and we are receiving more people who never worked. Originally, our Federal residents were just Montgomery County, but now we are receiving federal inmates from the Washington Metropolitan area.

Board members stated they like to see this data as it shows the trends (an example given was the highs and lows counts of positive alcohol and drug tests). Marsha Engel stated that CART staff take a minimum of one random drug test per week plus Passpoint two to three times weekly. CART clients come to the office at least three times weekly for drug testing, plus there is one random test per week for each client. While cocaine only lasts in a person's system for two days marijuana can last up to 30 days. Alcosensor tests at PRC average three to four per resident each day. CART's clients are monitored for alcohol use seven days a week by the electronic equipment.

Discussion on what issues/items the Board members would like on the meeting agenda:

• PRC and CART data
• New policies - DOCR program updates
• Budget - Issues/shortfalls/crisis
• New Jail (MCCF) - Inter-relationship(s) with other Divisions
• If needed, Board's response to major events
• Agency needs - operational, advice from Board members
• Membership development
• PRS Staff - status/numbers/health issues
• Relationship with the courts, State's Attorneys Office, and
  the Office of the Public Defender

Sue suggested that the Board write a letter to local businesses and civic associations, the Bar Association, thankful parents/spouses, etc. to inquire if they would be willing to participate on the Advisory Board. Board members would like to see community members on the Board prior to a crisis or major event. It was suggested that since Eatzi's is a large employer of PRC residents that they would be a good company to invite. The letter should include PRS successes; however it was noted that one major incident can damage even significant success. The Board was reminded that when PRC was built on Nebel Street, it was strictly a business area - now there are two large residential apartment complexes with a block or two. Kent Mason volunteered to write a draft letter for Chairperson John Lavigne's review and signature.

The Board decided that of the items listed above, the most important were membership development and re-education of the Public Defenders' Office.

The next meeting of the PRS Community Advisory Board is scheduled for Thursday, December 12, 2002 at 3:30 P.M.