Pre-Release and Reentry Services

COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

 

April 14, 2005

Attendance:  Patricia Braun, PRRS Community Release Coordinator; Eric Brenner, Director of the Governor's Grants Office;  Cherise Burdeen, Consultant, MGT of America; Captain Betsy Davis, Montgomery County Police Commander; Thomas DeGonia, State's Attorneys Office; POIII Denise Gill, Montgomery County Police Community  Policing Coordinator; Norma Jennings, Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition;  John Keating, Metropolitan Industries; John Lavigne, Public Defender's Office; Stefan LoBuglio, PRRS Chief;  Don Martin, Health and Human Services;  Dr. Susan McFeaters, University of Maryland ' Shady Grove Campus;  Tina Michaels, PRRS Screener; Tim Murray, MGT of America; Jane Sachs, PRRS Unit Manager;  Teresa Still, PRRS Assessment Services Manager; Avery Tabb, Montgomery Works; Cindy Wolfe, Bethesda Hyatt Regency Hotel  

Welcome and Introductions:  Chairperson John Lavigne called the meeting to order at 7:35 A.M.   All members and guests introduced themselves.

PRRS Quarterly Report:  Mr. LoBuglio announced that the Division name has changed from Pre-Release Services Division to Pre-Release and Reentry Services Division.  The change reflects a greater focus on providing tangible services and resources that can assist individuals who are leaving our custody live law-abiding and productive lives within our community.

 A one page handout on chronological events for the last three months was distributed in the members' packets (see attached).  The report highlighted the following items:

  • Escapes:  There were two escapes from PRC in the week before the meeting.   As Stefan explained, these are among the most serious events that occur in our program.  In each case, escape warrants were issued and escape charges filed in Circuit Court.  PRRS staff work closely with the State's Attorneys Office, the Courts, and the Montgomery County Police and Sheriff's Departments.   With the assistance of the Courts and the State's Attorneys Office, the message is very clear to offenders ' if you walk away from PRC, you will be charged with escape and prosecuted.  Tom DeGonia stated that, at times, we do need the assistance from other local jurisdictions for locating and apprehending escapees.  Mr. LoBuglio has met with some of the local judges and they all are appreciative of the services provided by the Pre-Release and Reentry Services Division.   To date, the courts have treated these escapes seriously and have imposed additional sentences for convicted offenders.
  • Financial Audit:  An audit review of the PRRS Accounting System is being conducted by an outside auditing firm.  The auditors are reviewing the resident accounts, how petty cash and other transactions are being handled, etc.  It has been at least ten years since the last official audit so staff is looking forward to improving the accountability of the entire process.
  • Security Issues ' In February of this year, there was a report from the Montgomery County Police that an armed subject was headed to the Pre-Release Center.  This incident highlighted the need to shore up security at the facility.  In March, the Director asked the Deputy Wardens from the MCDC, MCCF and a Captain from MCCF to lead an expert review of security issues at PRC.  The findings from this review process will be presented at the next Advisory Board meeting.

Also, to improve security, Stefan expressed his desire for developing a closer relationship with the Police who are the first responders in an emergency and it is critical they know the facility.  Commander Davis from the Montgomery County Police also agreed.  During the meeting, several suggestions were made to increase the cooperation between the PRC and the police including:

  • Bethesda Police District Roll Call Training with PRRS staff.
  • Tour of the facility for Bethesda Police Officers.
  • Bethesda Police District work closely with Tom DeGonia and the SAO.
  • A Bethesda Police District representative attend the PRRS Community Advisory Committee meetings.

Open the facility to Police Officers so they can use the facility to do paperwork, make phone calls, etc. twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week.

Train Accident (March 1, 2005):  Two residents who were employed and working on their PRC programming (A.A., counseling, etc.) were struck by a train as they walked to an A.A. meeting.  One resident was killed instantly and the other died a week later.  They were identified by their PRC I.D.'s.  The families want to create a memorial at PRC in their memory.  A living tree has been suggested.  For years, residents have been warned not to walk the railroad tracks.

Hiring Offenders:   John Keating stated that he currently has four former PRC residents working for his company, Metropolitan Industries.  PRC has been a very good resource to find employees and he often receives phone calls from former employees who want to return to work.  John also stated that he will not rehire a person once they quite or do not show up for work after release. The starting salary at Metropolitan Industries is $7.00 per hour if a person has points on their driver's license and $8.00 per hour if no points.  The Pre-Release Center Work Release Coordinators work very closely with employers so there should be no surprises when on-site visits are made.  Avery Tabb of One Stop from Montgomery Works stated that they are seeking funds for computer programs and workshops.  Their goal is to have local programs for offenders.  Tina Michaels stated that there are a lot of resources we have not tapped into.  At the next Community Advisory Board meeting, the PRRS staff will present information regarding the work release program.

It was also suggested that a PRRS representative join the local Chamber of Commerce as this is a great resource with over one thousand employers.  Mr. LoBuglio said PRRS staff need to reach out to the community and civic groups to bring into the Center more community resources.

Statistical Information:  Teresa Still distributed charts showing a snapshot of resident charges (see attachments).  A quarter of the PRC population is incarcerated for violation of probation.  Questions were asked if there could be a breakdown of the violation of probation charges.  Teresa agreed stating it would take some time.  Offenses such as assaults, robbery, and domestic violence are mostly 'person' offenses.  She explained that the average daily population was on the increase with daily count on April 14th of 178.  This number includes both PRC and CART.  Today, the facility is using 82% of its bed space and is looking at Unit I as an overflow unit instead of Honors Unit.  This unit

may help PRRS provide services to Health and Human Services and Drug Court offenders.  The need is here to look at how we can use all of our resources.  The detention population is 800-850 and the majority of offenders held are not sentenced.  Many are waiting for transportation to other jurisdictions. 

Committee Member's Visit and Tour:  PRRS Community Advisory Committee member Norma Jennings met with Stefan LoBuglio and toured the facility on March 3rd.  Ms. Jennings stated that it was a pleasure and felt it was necessary as a Committee member.  As she walked through the facility, she felt an atmosphere of openness and respect with the residents.  The facility was clean and staff very cordial during this unplanned tour.  Many residents were job searching and seemed not to be intimidated by her visit or Stefan's presence.

Review Committee/Reports:

  • Patricia Braun gave an overview of the work of the Program Review Committee that she is chairing.  This Committee is charged with examining closely all our existing programs from top to bottom to suggest changes of current programming that will better meet the needs of the residents and the community.  PRRS staff takes treatment of offenders very seriously and must continuously upgrade the treatment programs. 
  • Tina Michaels is supporting this effort by looking at coordinating reentry resources internal and external to the DOCR.  She is working with MCCF staff to better coordinate programming between the Detention Center and pre-release reentry efforts.
  • Teresa Still is leading the committee to review how PRRS contracts for psychological services and how these are used both for screening purposes and long-term care.  Again, the findings of this review will be presented at next month's meeting.

Drug Court:  John Lavigne stated that he and others at the Public Defender's Office are feeling quite encouraged by the way the Drug Court has developed in Montgomery County.  He told Judge Rupp that it shows if people get the right treatment, it can be successful.  He stated that the Drug Court participants support one another and they want to be successful.  Mr. LoBuglio offered to look at ways that PRRS can further support this program.

Adjournment:  The Pre-Release Services Community Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 9:00 A.M.

Community Advisory Meeting Dates for 2005:  All meetings are held on Thursdays at 7:30 A.M. at the Pre-Release Center in the outside classroom.   A light breakfast buffet will be served.   The remaining dates are:

  • June 9th
  • September 15th
  • December 8th 

Attachments: