MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRE-RELEASE SERVICES
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
December 12, 2002
Members Attending:
Robert Carter
Marsha Engel
Carl Hamstead
Michael Lash
John Levine
Kent Mason
Loretta McClintock
Jane Sachs
Mark Shulman
Mary Nicki Terry
Susan Wiant
The Pre-Release Services Community Advisory Board Meeting began at 3:35 P.M. by Chairperson John Lavigne.
Sue Wiant announced that the Maryland State Law has changed the age for hiring of correctional officers from age 21 to age 18. Art Wallenstein is scheduled for a televised interview this afternoon concerning this change and is unable to join us.
On October 14 and 15, 2002, the Pre-Release Center had an audit by the American Correctional Association (ACA). The ACA audit has high compliance standards and very few correctional facilities receive their national accreditation. There was a large amount of work, both facility preparedness and documentation of procedures followed, that staff accomplished. The Pre-Release Center received a 99.6% compliance rating. The one ACA standard that was not passed was for having more than 25 people per unit. The Pre-Release Center has never been held to this standard in past audits and we hope the standard will be exempted when the results reach the ACA Audit Review Committee. The Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards audit is scheduled for January 14, 15, and 16, 2003. The ACA Audit is more interested in the policies and procedures of the program being followed where the Maryland Commission on State Standards is more interested in the "nuts and bolts" of the program. The ACA audit is voluntary where as the Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards audit is mandatory.
Mike Lash suggested that the Washington Post should be contacted to write an article about the Pre-Release Center and the ACA award. He said he felt that not enough people know about the program. Sue stated that in years past it is the responsibility of the County's Information Office to send information to the press. Kent Mason stated that an article needs a "big lead" with a special angle - a human interest story on how the program helps people with substance abuse, domestic violence, and reintegrating offenders back into the community. The article needs to have a good public interest story and staff would have to pick which resident a reporter would interview. Mike Lash stated that the Montgomery County Section of the Washington Post comes out weekly on Thursdays and an article could be a way to win the support from the surrounding neighborhood. Kent said it would be a good idea to put out the information on the ACA accreditation, however Sue stated that the accreditation would not be final until mid-January. Marsha Engel, CART Program Manager, said that the CART Program received a certificate of commendation from the National Commission Against Drunk Driving.
A copy of John Lavigne's draft letter to local civic associations and businesses around PRC was reviewed by the Board members. This letter tells about the Pre-Release Center program and asks for volunteers to join the Board. A second draft of this letter is attached. Kent Mason asked if the residents were still cleaning Nebel Street - yes, Interns make this a "rec" trip and the residents perform this community service.
Sue discussed budget concerns. She explained that this year's (FY03) budget has clearly become troubled. The Department as a whole must develop mid-year savings. DOCR has taken the issue to the County Executive to look for revenue enhancing ideas rather than cutting jobs. The Department is trying to develop ways to increase its revenue. The Pre-Release Services Division has increased its Federal Bureau of Prison's inmate population taking offenders from the entire Washington metro area and has seen a major increase in revenue. Last month's average daily population for federal residents was thirty as compared to three in November 2001. Bob Carter suggested that DOCR may want to do as the Police Department does, set up a way to accept donations of items or money from the community that can offset some costs. He stated that when business owners complained that there were not enough officers in the community, the business community donated funds to purchase bikes and equipment for officers to increase bike patrol. Bob suggested that the donation of money for some items (computers, lab equipment, weight room equipment, etc.) could maintain or improve programs while still saving County money for salaries, decreasing layoffs of staff. Sue stated that she had concerns on ethics and would have to discuss this with DOCR Director, Art Wallenstein. Sue also informed the Board that the County is in a hiring freeze and vacant positions must receive a special exemption request to be filled. Fortunately, Resident Supervisors and Correctional Officers are not part of this freeze.
Kent Mason motioned that Art Wallenstein be requested to let the Board know if there are any budget issues that would severely impact the Pre-Release Center or the CART Program. He stated that the Board needs to support the Pre-Release programs and if necessary a special emergency meeting should be held and a letter written to the County Council. Sue stated that the Department has a meeting late in January to meet the new County Council members.
The next two PRS Community Advisory Board meetings are scheduled for March 6, 2003 and June 12, 2003, both at 3:30 P.M. at the Pre-Release Center.
Meeting adjourned at 5:05 P.M.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
December 12, 2002
Members Attending:
Robert Carter
Marsha Engel
Carl Hamstead
Michael Lash
John Levine
Kent Mason
Loretta McClintock
Jane Sachs
Mark Shulman
Mary Nicki Terry
Susan Wiant
The Pre-Release Services Community Advisory Board Meeting began at 3:35 P.M. by Chairperson John Lavigne.
Sue Wiant announced that the Maryland State Law has changed the age for hiring of correctional officers from age 21 to age 18. Art Wallenstein is scheduled for a televised interview this afternoon concerning this change and is unable to join us.
On October 14 and 15, 2002, the Pre-Release Center had an audit by the American Correctional Association (ACA). The ACA audit has high compliance standards and very few correctional facilities receive their national accreditation. There was a large amount of work, both facility preparedness and documentation of procedures followed, that staff accomplished. The Pre-Release Center received a 99.6% compliance rating. The one ACA standard that was not passed was for having more than 25 people per unit. The Pre-Release Center has never been held to this standard in past audits and we hope the standard will be exempted when the results reach the ACA Audit Review Committee. The Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards audit is scheduled for January 14, 15, and 16, 2003. The ACA Audit is more interested in the policies and procedures of the program being followed where the Maryland Commission on State Standards is more interested in the "nuts and bolts" of the program. The ACA audit is voluntary where as the Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards audit is mandatory.
Mike Lash suggested that the Washington Post should be contacted to write an article about the Pre-Release Center and the ACA award. He said he felt that not enough people know about the program. Sue stated that in years past it is the responsibility of the County's Information Office to send information to the press. Kent Mason stated that an article needs a "big lead" with a special angle - a human interest story on how the program helps people with substance abuse, domestic violence, and reintegrating offenders back into the community. The article needs to have a good public interest story and staff would have to pick which resident a reporter would interview. Mike Lash stated that the Montgomery County Section of the Washington Post comes out weekly on Thursdays and an article could be a way to win the support from the surrounding neighborhood. Kent said it would be a good idea to put out the information on the ACA accreditation, however Sue stated that the accreditation would not be final until mid-January. Marsha Engel, CART Program Manager, said that the CART Program received a certificate of commendation from the National Commission Against Drunk Driving.
A copy of John Lavigne's draft letter to local civic associations and businesses around PRC was reviewed by the Board members. This letter tells about the Pre-Release Center program and asks for volunteers to join the Board. A second draft of this letter is attached. Kent Mason asked if the residents were still cleaning Nebel Street - yes, Interns make this a "rec" trip and the residents perform this community service.
Sue discussed budget concerns. She explained that this year's (FY03) budget has clearly become troubled. The Department as a whole must develop mid-year savings. DOCR has taken the issue to the County Executive to look for revenue enhancing ideas rather than cutting jobs. The Department is trying to develop ways to increase its revenue. The Pre-Release Services Division has increased its Federal Bureau of Prison's inmate population taking offenders from the entire Washington metro area and has seen a major increase in revenue. Last month's average daily population for federal residents was thirty as compared to three in November 2001. Bob Carter suggested that DOCR may want to do as the Police Department does, set up a way to accept donations of items or money from the community that can offset some costs. He stated that when business owners complained that there were not enough officers in the community, the business community donated funds to purchase bikes and equipment for officers to increase bike patrol. Bob suggested that the donation of money for some items (computers, lab equipment, weight room equipment, etc.) could maintain or improve programs while still saving County money for salaries, decreasing layoffs of staff. Sue stated that she had concerns on ethics and would have to discuss this with DOCR Director, Art Wallenstein. Sue also informed the Board that the County is in a hiring freeze and vacant positions must receive a special exemption request to be filled. Fortunately, Resident Supervisors and Correctional Officers are not part of this freeze.
Kent Mason motioned that Art Wallenstein be requested to let the Board know if there are any budget issues that would severely impact the Pre-Release Center or the CART Program. He stated that the Board needs to support the Pre-Release programs and if necessary a special emergency meeting should be held and a letter written to the County Council. Sue stated that the Department has a meeting late in January to meet the new County Council members.
The next two PRS Community Advisory Board meetings are scheduled for March 6, 2003 and June 12, 2003, both at 3:30 P.M. at the Pre-Release Center.
Meeting adjourned at 5:05 P.M.