MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRE-RELEASE SERVICES
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
October 2, 2003
Members Attending:
- John Arney
- Eric Brenner
- Robert Carter
- Marsha Engel
- Stephanie Hall
- John Lavigne
- Jane Sachs
- Mark Schulman
- Teresa Still
- Avery Tabb
- Patricia Taylor
- Art Wallenstein
- Susan Wiant
- Cindy Wolfe
Introductions:
The meeting was opened at 3:35 P.M. by Chairperson John Lavigne. All present introduced themselves and their community function. Teresa Still was introduced as the new Pre-Release Services Assessment Services Manager. Teresa has been with the Pre-Release Center for eighteen years and WAS promoted from a Community Release Coordinator. Teresa has created a new PRS brochure explaining the screening progress and brings with her new ideas for screening offenders for PRS. Teresa oversees two Correctional Screeners who interview offenders two days a week at MCCF, State offenders at DOC, and manage Bureau of Prison referrals. Teresa's replacement as the Community Release Coordinator for Unit II is Lisa Wallace Annulis. Lisa is Social Worker coming from Health and Human Services and worked at the Pre-Release Center previously in the late 1980's. Lisa has lots of good skills and resource connections that will assist our residents.
CART Program Moves to PRC:
The CART Program moved into Unit I (the Honors Unit) on March 27th. CART Monitors now oversee the Honors Unit, providing more correctional supervision to a growing population. The majority of CART cases come from PRC. CART staff is now closer to the files and PRC staff allowing for easier communication between CART and PRC staff. Marsha Engel stated that the CART Caseworkers are planning a meeting with the PRC Community Release Coordinators to discuss outside counseling, housing, and community resources for CART clients. CART and PRC staff are also looking into new ideas in assisting current PRC residents prior to their entry into the CART Program.
Comparison of FY02-03 Data:
Data shows a significant difference in the Federal ADP between FY02 and FY03. There is also a large increase in Federal revenue. The FY04 maximum operational capacity has increased to 155 beds which allows us to house more Federal offenders. A portable classroom has been
installed in the courtyard so we can expand the dining room capacity (by converting the present classrooms) and therefore increase the overall facility capacity. The move of CART staff into Honors and their increased presence allows for more residents in that Unit. While our local population is generally stable, we can use the maximum facility capacity and generate revenue with federal cases. (A tour of the portable classroom was conducted at the end of the meeting.)
Getting Residents to Work:
Unit IV Work Release Coordinator Patricia Taylor explained it was getting more difficult for offenders to find work. The current offenders at PRC frequently have fewer skills, we are in a tough economy now, and jobs are harder to come by. A question was asked "what percent of County offenders come to PRC". Approximately 550 come here yearly. Many more are released directly from detention but a large percentage is released after a very short period of time (less than seven days). Bob Carter mentioned that if all convicted offenders went through work release, the level of services would decrease and we could have more escapes. Avery Tabb stated that his agency is now working in partnership with Diamond Auto Glass who hires offenders with clean driving records and are bonded for on-the-job training. After two months of successfully training, the employee works independently on their own truck. Pat Taylor stated that residents now have access to computers in each unit so they can create resumes to assist in their job search. Work Release Coordinators are generally not in favor of residents working day labor positions and seek long term work assignments from temp agencies whenever possible. Employment problems are continuing to be an issue. Recent events (September 11th, the sniper, weather problems) have had a dampening effect on the local job situation. Nationally, all states are having problems with funding, tax revenues, etc. We are feeling the impact of a tighter job market and the difficulties of placing felony offenders who may have no marketable skill or work history. We will need to develop more connections to agencies like Montgomery Works where Avery Tabb works as well as get out to meet and educate new employers. Pat stated that corporations are making decisions not to hire felony offenders mainly due to security reasons. Cindy Wolfe stated that some corporations require offenders to be crime-free up to seven years before considering placing them in jobs.
Recent Escapee:
A recent PRC escapee was finally caught while he was a passenger in a stolen car in Washington, D. C. He had escaped the same day he arrived at PRC. Staff regularly contacted his family and friends by telephone, and also sent out escape posters to D.C. Police. Escapes are dramatically down after Art's insistence on tough prosecution and DOCR staff's testifying at Court hearings. The courts are now issuing tougher sentences for escape from PRC and CART.
The next PRS Community Advisory Board meeting is December 4th at 3:30 P.M at the Pre-Release Center. Community members are invited to attend.
Meeting adjourned at 5:05 P.M.
Attachments:
PRC Yearly Data Report FY03 (Download in Excel Format)
CART Monthly Data Report for September 2003 (Download in Excel Format)