Pre-Release and Reentry Services

COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

March 09, 2006

Committee Members and Guests Attendance: Patricia Braun, PRRS Unit IV Community Release Coordinator; Eric Brenner, Director of the Governor's Grants Office; Cherise Burdeen, MGT of America; Rev. Michael Bryant, Archdiocese of Washington; Colleen Davies, Parole and Probation; Tom DeGonia, State's Attorneys Office; Marsha Engel, PRRS Unit Manager; POIII Denise Gill, Montgomery County Police CommunityPolicing Coordinator; Karl Girshman, Community Member; Stephanie Hall, PRRS Unit II Manager; Michelle Hart, (PRC Intern) University of Maryland; Sylvia Hernandez, Unit II Case Manager; Norma Jennings, Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition; Hannah Kon, (PRC Intern) University of Maryland; John Lavigne, Public Defenders' Office; Stefan LoBuglio, PRRS Division Chief; Don Martin, Health and Human Services; Dr. Susan McFeaters, University of Maryland -  Shady Grove Campus; Peter McGinnity, Representative from the Archdiocese of Washington; Joyce Reimherr, Montgomery Works; Jane Sachs, PRRS Unit IV Manager; James Shannon, PRRS Personnel and Budget Manager; Teresa Still, PRRS Assessment Services Manager; Bob Velthuis, Jobs Partnership of Greater Washington; Lloyd Welter, Representative from the Archdiocese of Washington

Welcome and Introductions: Chairperson John Lavigne called the meeting to order at 7:40 A.M. The Committee members and guests introduced themselves.

During the Introductions, AssistantState's Attorney Tom DeGonia informed the Committee members that Chairperson John Lavigne has taken the preliminary step to apply for a District Court Judge position.There are currently four judgeships open in District Court.A Commission of citizens and attorneys reviews the applications and forwards the Commission's recommendations to the Governor.The Governor, after interviewing the candidates, announces the new District Court judge(s).The Community Advisory Committee members all wish John the best.

In his introduction, PRRS Division Chief Stefan LoBuglio explained the absence of one of PRRS' stalwart Community Advisory Board members with a story that demonstrates the challenges of community corrections and the importance of our strong relationships with employers.He recounted that Committee Member John Keating who is President of Metropolitan Industries, Inc. had called the day before and had indicated that he could not attend the meeting because his company had received an unauthorized and anonymously-sent shipment of 33 pounds of marijuana. Needless to say, he called the police and the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency was onsite conducting an investigation.He also called PRC and spoke to a Work Release Coordinator concerning a concerning a resident who was working for him at the time.In his consultation with Work Release Coordinator Angela Talley and Unit Manager Stephanie Hall they decided that the incident should not affect the status of this individual and that there was no apparent link between him and the shipment (he did not work in the shipping/receiving area).It would have been very easy to pull this resident off the job, but the trust developed over the years between this employer (and Board Member) and PRRS staff allowed them to choose a different approach.This individual was due to be released a week later.

In her introduction, Norma Jennings of the Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition stated that she had been working with the offender population for thirteen years.The Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition is piloting a program to subsidize housing for five female offenders with children.The first female offender should be housed within the next two weeks.SSIHC's program will assist female offenders for a two to three year period to reclaim their lives.The program will provide mentors and pay for education.HOC will be following this pilot program every closely and meetings will be held with HOC, Parole and Probation, and the Pre-Release Center staff regularly.

As part of a statistical overview of PRRS operations, Stefan LoBuglio stated that the PRRS count on Monday, March 6th was 133 residents housed at the Pre-Release Center and 25 on Home Confinement, totaling 158.There are a total of 171 beds at PRC but the facility is considered at full capacity at 155, allowing for rooms that are off line due to heating, plumbing, etc. problems.Currently the PRC count is low.The Pre-Trial Services and Detention Services Divisions' counts are high.Many offenders in the Detention Division are in pre-trial status.PRRS Screening staff reviews and interviews every eligible sentenced offender at MCDC and MCCF weekly.

PRRS Division Chiefs Report:PRRS Division Chief  Stefan LoBuglio highlighted items from his Division Chief's Report to the Community Advisory Committee:

Notable Activities:

  • The State Commission on Correctional Standards Audit (January 10 12, 2006):
  • The Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards audited the PRC in January and the program and facility received excellent results.Of the 74 Standards reviewed, four medical standards were found slightly in non-compliance and recommendations were made to improve compliance in seven others.The Auditors praised the cleanliness of the facility and the quality and professionalism of the staff.The Auditors will return in six months and we are confident that PRC we will receive 100% compliance in the standards.
  • Maryland Division of Correction (January 19, 2006):PRRS staff met with Assistant Commissioner Patricia Allen and Tomi Hiers, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Secretary for Operations, to review the contract that allows DOC to refer state inmates on pre-release status to the Pre-Release Center.The meeting focused on ways to expand this program including the possibility of DOC utilizing PRRS' home confinement program.As a result of the meeting, PRRS will host a meeting on March 9th for seventeen Case Managers from the various State facilities who make the program referrals to PRRS.
  • American Correctional Association Accreditation (January 30, 2006): The Pre-Release Center received ACA accreditation in January 2006 at the ACA Convention in Nashville Tennessee.Director Arthur Wallenstein, Division Chief Stefan LoBuglio, and Assessment Services Manager Teresa Still addressed a four-member accreditation panel concerning issues raised during the fall ACA audit, and the panel voted unanimously to re-accredit the Pre-Release Center for 2003-2006.An Auditor will re-visit the Pre-Release Center in June 2006 to monitor our compliance with specific mandatory standards.The PRC has been accredited continuously since 1983.There are 3,500 plus jails in the U.S., but only approximately 150 of these jails are ACA accredited.
  • Maryland State House Bill 423 -  Judicially Ordered Approval for Work Release (February 15, 2006):Assessment Services Manager Teresa Still and DOCR Director Arthur Wallenstein provided testimony before the House Judiciary Committee in Annapolis against a billthat would allow judges to place offenders directly on work release programs.In Montgomery County, the Department has a close relationship with the judiciary but retains the right to screen and accept individuals into our program.PRRS always obtains the consent of the judiciary to transfer individuals to PRC.
  • Increasing PRC Eligibility from 6 Months to 12 Months:The DOCR Director has submitted a request to the County Executive to amend Section I, Chapter 13, Pre-Release Program, Section 13-11 through 13-23 that would allow the Department to place sentenced inmates who are one year from release onto this program.This change will increase the pool of eligible candidates for PRRS and allow us more flexibility in structuring reentry treatment plans.
  • Chinese Ministry of Justice Delegation Visit (March 6, 2006): A high ranking delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Justice toured MCCF in the morning and visited the Pre-Release Center in the afternoon.The group met with senior staff, toured the facility, and met with four residents.Community corrections was the primary focus of their visit.One interesting fact  - in China, communities are defined street by single street not by a large city or county.
  • Meetings with the Judiciary (February 6 & March 10, 2006):PRRS Division Chief Stefan LoBuglio and Assessment Services Manager Teresa Still met with the Circuit Court judges at their regular administrative meeting on February 6, 2006 to provide an overview of PRRS and to describe the process by which PRRS obtains judicial consent to bring individuals from detention services onto the program.Following that meeting, Judge Joseph A. Dugan, Jr. made a request to visit the PRC along with other interested judges from the Circuit Court Bench, and this has been scheduled for Friday, March 10th District Court judges have also been invited to join the visit.
  • Electronic Monitoring (EM) Equipment:PRRS and Pre-Trial Services Division are collaborating on an RFP process for EM equipment including GPS.Interviews were conducted with four companies in February.PRRS is looking to expand the use of this technology and will expand its use for certain types of residents (e.g. sex offenders) who live at PRC.The Division may also use GPS in active modes for some clients, meaning that the Department would maintain the ability to continuously monitor an individual's whereabouts.Many GPS systems run in a passive mode that only allows agencies to determine where an individual has traveled after the data is downloaded at the end of the day.To date, PRRS and Pre-Trial Services have used GPS only in the passive mode.
  • 32nd Annual Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Awards Program (March 23, 2006):PRRS Work Release Coordinator Patricia Taylor will be honored at the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Awards Program for her service, dedication, and commitment to the community.This is the first time a DOCR employee has received this award and it is considered quite an honor.
  • Jail Reentry Roundtable Advisory Board Meeting (June 27-28, 2005):Montgomery County DOCR along with the Urban Institute and John Jay College of Criminal Justice will host a two day national conference on jail re-entryissues.Chaired by Montgomery County DOCR Director Arthur Wallenstein, the Board will oversee the planning of this Conference.It will involve top policy makers, practitioners, and academics from across the country that will convene to discuss jail reentry from several different perspectives.The Conference has commissioned seven papers on issues that will be discussed including:rural jails, female offenders, post-release integration, offender flow, reentry planning, community stakeholders, post-release supervision, and public safety.
  • Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) Training:PRRS Work Release Coordinators Angela Tally and Patricia Taylor have been selected to help lead the training of a state-sponsored effort to certify professionals who work with offenders as OWDS certified. They are currently leading a class of 25 individuals from faith-based organizations, non-profits, and education institutions through this 180 hours course.Angela and Patricia earned their OWDS and Global Career Development Facilitator certifications last year by attending an intensive three-week NIC program in Oklahoma City.
  • WAMU Radio Story:The PRRS was featured in a radio news story on prisoner reentry that aired on Washington's public radio station on Monday, February 20th.The reporter interviewed DOCR Director Art Wallenstein about the issue and visited a job skills class at the Pre-Release Center.She interviewed several residents and recorded some of the discussion in the class which was taught by Work Release Coordinator Angela Tally.

Significant Program Developments

  • Female Resident Living Unit PRC's 32-bed Unit I now houses all female residents at PRC. This change will provide a safer and more accountable environment for female residents. It signals a larger programmatic shift towards more gender-specific treatment for female residents.Two Unit II Case Managers' offices have been moved to Unit I to assist the female residents.
  • Case Management:PRRS will soon implement a new ratings and level system to assess the participation of residents/clients in the program which will replace a rating system used since the late 1970's.The new system has more milestones tied to tangible reentry tasks such as obtaining identification documents and providing greater flexibility of movement between levels by removing time requirements between them.Residents who are highly motivated and who are able to accomplish expected tasks can quickly move to the highest levels which positions them to receive more privileges.The new system was developed after several months of study by a staff committee led by Community Release Coordinator Patricia Braun and Assessment Screener Tina Michaels.
  • Program Review Committee:PRRS is continuing to examine what additional treatment programming would benefit clients of the program and how these programs should be offered.A Committee led by Unit Manager Jane Sachs is examining whether programs offered in the community can serve the need of PRRS clients and whether certain programs need to be taught onsite.The Committee is also looking at the literature to determine what programming has evidence to support its claims of effectiveness.
  • Career Development Resource Center -  PRRS - Work Release Coordinators have planned and implemented a beautiful new on-site Career Development Resource Center. The newly renovated Center is equipped with ten computers that allow residents limited access to approved sites on the internet for job search purposes and will also contain phones and fax machines.It will work in close coordination with One-Stop Career Centers in the County and at MCCF.
  • Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition: SSIHC and the PRRS are working together to place carefully selected female offenders with children in government subsidized housing.Through the good work of SSIHC and the County's Housing Opportunities Commission, a breakthrough occurred last week when the HOC Board ruled that certain individuals with criminal histories may be considered for their housing programs.
  • Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE):PRRS screening and the DOCR Records Section have found that VINE is not providing proper notification to registered victims when inmates transfer from detention services to the pre-release programs and when they are released.This system is funded by the State and is run by a private contractor.DOCR staff are working to address this issue as a top priority.
  • Family Justice:PRRS will contract with Family Justice for technical assistance to review and expand its effort to involve families in the reentry process.Family Justice was formed several years ago to promote the award-winning La Familia de la Bodega program in New York City.
  • Faith-Based and Volunteer Initiative: PRRS continues to reach out and expand our involvement with the faith-based community to identify volunteers, resources, and program support that can assist residents and clients of the programs.The last Community Advisory Board meeting in December focused on this topic and has led to some very important continuing contacts.On December 12th, Jim Shannon and Stefan LoBuglio hosted a visit from Steven McFarland, who leads the faith-based initiative for the Department of Justice.
  • Medical Services:PRRS is working to improve the scope and quality of medical and mental health services provided to residents and has worked with DOCR staff to implement some improvements including increased nursing coverage.The Department will soon release a Request for Proposal for medical, mental health, pharmacological, and dental contracts.PRRSis actively looking to collaborate with Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify a therapist position that could help the program manage residents with significant mental health issues.
  • Net Annual Work Hours:PRRS is working with a National Institute of Corrections consultant to develop an analysis of the staffing needs of the program based on the activity levels of the operation.The goal of the study is to assist the program to deploy staff in the most efficient and effective manner to hold residents accountable for complying with the program and to maintaining a safe and secure operation.
  • Academic Interns:PRRS has developed new relationships with a number of colleges in the state and continues to attract students and recent college graduates across the country into its internship programs.Some of the interns provide assistant to our residents; other interns are providing such services as running health and nutrition classes, researching ways to improve programming for female offenders, and helping complete a study on the effectiveness of our reentry services.
  • Drug Court:PRRS is engaged in discussion about how and whether it can support a proposed expansion of drug court.Currently, Drug Court serves 26 clients, and the PRC is used as an intermediate sanction for those individuals who are failing to adhere to all of the program requirements.
  • Key Performance Indicators:PRRS is currently revising its KPIs to better monitor the performance of its programs.Over the past several months, Unit Manager Stephanie Hall has met with staff that performs different services within PRRS to help define feasible and measurable outcomes of their work.
  • PRRS Guidebook Revision:The Pre-Release Center Guidebook is in the process of being revised.The last revision was in the fall of 2003.Many program changes have taken place and policy and procedures have been revised.Disciplinary procedures and levels (formerly phases) will be addressed and the plan is to make it more readable and include pictures.Unit Manager Marsha Engel is leading the revision of the Guidebook.
  • Weekly Inspection Tours -  PRRS weekly inspection tours continue of the entire facility (inside and out) on Thursday mornings by all Managers and Division Chief Stefan LoBuglio.The facility is looking better and repairs and deficiencies are now quickly being handled either by staff or the County's Facilities and Services staff.On Wednesday, March 1st, Department of Public Works and Transportation Manager Bill Withers toured the facility with Stefan LoBuglio and other senior managers and developed a list of short and long-term projects that need addressing.DPWT provides PRRS with excellent support in maintaining the facility.

Security:

  • New Security Devices & Measures - As the result of a mediated settlement between the County and the Montgomery County Government Employees Organization (MCGEO), several new security measures will be implemented at the Pre-Release Center in the coming months.Ten video cameras will be placed throughout the facility to enhance the ability of staff to monitor and record activities and improve overall resident accountability.In addition, limited sections of a modest fence will be installed around the building to deter unauthorized individuals from the areas behind the building and the courtyard.Finally, the County will purchase additional metal detector wands for the units.
  • Key Control - A new computer-based key control system has been ordered and once in place, staff will no long be allowed to take facility keys home.All keys will be turned in when staff leave the facility. The keys will be kept in a locked key cabinet in the Support Services office. As envisioned, all staff will be given an electronic key pass to enter the Support Services office.
  • Gang Graffiti - On February 28th, PRRS staff discovered gang-related graffiti painted on the outside of a glass emergency exit door for Unit IV.The graffiti was identified as associated with the Latin Kings, and there is speculation that it occurred in response to the recent suspension and revocation of a PRRS resident.The Police Department was called and responded along with the DOCR Gang Task Force.

Escapes

  • February 8, 2006:Robert Myers left the Pre-Release Center for work on February 8th.After work he did not return to the Pre-Release Center but instead used drugs.He was only a few days away from release.An escape warrant was issued and he turned himself in.He is now in detention and charged with escape.
  • January 21, 2006:Sherman Perry went to work on January 21, 2006 and did not return to the Pre-Release Center.He turned himself in the next day and admitted using drugs and alcohol.An escape warrant was issued and he is charged with escape.
  • January 6, 2006:Andre Murray escaped from Home Confinement on January 6, 2006.He was apprehended the same day in Prince George's County in the proximity of where a car was being burned.An escape warrant was issued and Mr. Murray is currently in the custody of Prince George's County.
  • January 1, 2006:Marshall Kisner did not return to PRC from work by early morning on January 1, 2006.He was due back from his server job at a café in Gaithersburg by 12:35 A.M.After a staff member drove to his place of employment and could not find him.Other staff called relatives and friends, but soon after an escape warrant was obtained.At approximately 8:45 A.M., Mr. Kisner called PRC stating that he was at work.Staff immediately drove to the café, returned him to PRC, and then transported him to MCDC.Mr. Kisner was revoked from the PRC and is now charged with escape.

Dispositions on Escapes in the last Three Months

  • March 8, 2006:At a disposition hearing, Kern Smith reached a plea agreement to serve seven years in the State Department of Correction.He escaped from PRC on December 12, 2005 and was apprehended while attempting to steal a car on December 14, 2005.He was indicted on an escape charge on January 12, 2006.
  • January 19, 2006:Ana Meade, who escaped from PRC on April 5, 2005, was indicted for escape.
  • December 2, 2005:Gerardo Torres left the Center on December 2, 2005 on a community release pass to attend a job orientation.It was later learned that he did not attend the orientation nor did he return to the Pre-Release Center at his scheduled time.After many telephone calls, an escape warrant was issued for Mr. Torres.He is currently a fugitive.

 

Womens Programming at PRRS: Unit II Case Manager Sylvia Hernandez presented an overview of females offenders and the need for more research to ensure appropriate services and treatment prior to release from incarceration.Currently of the twenty-three women on the program, most have their high school diploma and/or their GED and attended some college.Most of the females are single and 75 to 80 % have children.Statistics indicate that the younger female offenders are committing more violent crimes.The criminal justice system seems to give women offenders many "slaps on the wrist" prior to incarceration.Studies are needed to explore if female offenders were receiving welfare, on public assistance for medical needs, food stamps, etc. before and after release.The need for child support enforcement is particularly important and female offenders need to be informed on this issue.

Sylvia's presented a slide presentation addressing many issues:

  • Social and cultural factors such as poverty, race, and the likelihood that women offenders have a significant history of victimization.
  • Therapeutic interventions for abuse, violence, family relationships, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders.
  • Assessment of women's risk levels, needs, and strengths and construct supervision case plans.

PRRS statistics indicate that of the female offenders currently residing at the Pre-Release Center:

  • 74% are repeat offenders
  • the average age is between 21 and 40 years old
  • 61% are black
  • 75% are single, separated, divorced, or widowed
  • drug and property (burglary, larceny, vehicle theft) offenses are the major cause of arrest.
  • 73% offenses are related to relationships with men
  • 30% have experienced violence in their lives and 40% have been physically or sexually abused
  • 70% have a family member involved in criminal activity or addiction
  • 70 % have an addiction
  • 39% have mental health needs
  • 35% have dual diagnosis (substance abuse, trauma, and mental health issues)
  • 56% are diagnosed with depression; 22% anxiety, and 22% bipolar (clinical assessments)

Sylvia named some of the community organizations and individuals assisting female residents:

  • Life Skills Workshops, Inc.-Offers mentoring, job readiness and life skills workshops, and a clothes closet.
  • Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition -  Subsidized housing of women offenders with children in transition, mentoring, and case management.
  • Montgomery County Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center -  Workshops at a reduced fee, specialized workshops held at PRC including topics such as self-esteem, shame, relationships, communication, financial planning, stress management, and personal growth.
  • Montgomery County's Health and Human Services -  Housing for women in transition, behavioral health and crisis services, and Winning Wardrobe for Women (provides business suits, shoes, and purses for women applying for jobs). On June 24th, Community Release Coordinator Debra Lyons-Prince will be taking PRC female residents on a "shopping spree".
  • Assistant County Attorney Joanne Brown -  Women's issues "guru" and legal services for women.
  • PRRS Internships -  Graduate school academic interns from Howard, Maryland, and American Universities conducting research and specialty group.

Stefan LoBuglio thanks Sylvia for her excellent presentation on women's issues and programming to the Committee.


The next meeting of the Pre-Release and Reentry Services Division Community Advisory Committee is Thursday, June 8th at 7:30 A.M., in the outside classroom.A light buffet

breakfast will be served.Below are the remaining 2006 meeting dates:

  • September 14, 2006
  • December 7, 2006

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 A.M.