HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRISON BOARD MINUTES April 2022
FRANKLIN COUNTY PRISON BOARD MINUTES
Franklin County Administration Building
April 12, 2022
Present:
John Flannery, Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski, Commissioner
Dave Keller, Commissioner Matt Fogal, District Attorney
Hon. Shawn Meyers, President Judge Harold Wissinger, Controller
Dane Anthony, Sheriff Bill Bechtold, Warden
Doug Wilburne, Probation Chief Carrie Gray, County Administrator
Ellen Eckert, Pre-Release Supervisor Mark Singer, Court Administrator
Geoffrey Willet, Probation Deputy Chief Jeffrey Scott, FCJ Deputy Warden
John Thierwechter, Assistant Co Administrator Michelle Weller, FCJ Deputy Warden
I. The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Flannery at 8:30 AM.
II Public Comment
A. There was no public comment
III. Minutes for the March 2022 meeting were discussed.
A. District Attorney moved to accept the minutes, Commissioner Keller seconded the
motion and the minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. Warden’s Report
A. There were 143 commitments and 150 discharges in March.
B. The average daily population was 348 with an average of 278 males and 71 females.
C. The recidivism rate was 52% when looking at all new commitments and the recidivism rate was 46%
when looking at those being held for trial only.
D. At a snapshot view at the beginning of April there were 123 sentenced and 278 unsentenced inmates.
There were 22 inmates on Approved Temporary Absence status. Thirty-four were pending transfer to
other facilities, with 26 of those pending transfer to SCI.
E. There was $9,367 collected in total revenue for March.
F. The average length of stay (ALOS) for those discharged in March was 74 days.
G. There was one inmate housed in Centre.
H. A breakdown of the demographic statistics for March indicated that males made up 74% of the
population, 73% of the population were white, 41% of the population were between the ages of 26-39,
67% were single, 3% were military veterans and 88% had at least their high school diploma or GED.
I. PrimeCare’s medical report was presented. There were 1437 sick calls. There were 16 outside medical
appointments and 10 trips to the ER. There were 911 mental health contacts. There were 59 inmates on
suicide watch. There were three inmates that required 1:1 observation. There were no inmates at
Torrance State Hospital. There were six participants in the Sex Offender’s Treatment Program. There
were 47 in the Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) program. There were 228 on the MH caseload and
an additional 44 with SMI diagnoses. There were 48 commitments placed on detox protocol. There
were five pregnant inmates. Sixty-five inmates were given the COVID vaccine.
J. February 2022’s expenditures were discussed.
K. Commissioner Ziobrowski moved to accept the Warden’s report, Sheriff Anthony seconded the motion
and the report was unanimously approved.
V. Intermediate Punishment report
A. The Community Release department received 65 intakes and had 41 releases.
B. There were five inmates placed in jobs.
C. There were 2155 hours of community service completed.
D. The Pre-Trial Release program had 61 offenders.
E. The Drug and Alcohol RIP/DCIP program had 72 offenders. There were 11 successful discharges and
two unsuccessful discharges.
F. The Sexual Offender Program had 43.
G. There were 24 offenders on the Mental Health caseload.
H. The Electronic Monitoring Program had 13 offenders.
I. There were 131 jail days saved by using the alternative sanctions of electronic monitoring (379 days),
DCIP/D&A RIP (2335 days), intensive supervision (28 days) and pre-trial release (1906 days).
J. There were 20 offenders detained in March and 13 given alternative sanctions.
K. The Community Release Department collected $11,008 and the Probation Department collected
$248,795.
VI. Presentation of Franklin County Probation with Restrictive Conditions Plan for Board approval
A. Deputy Chief Willett outlined the 2022 plan.
B. Commissioner Keller moved to accept the plan, District Attorney seconded the motion and the plan
was unanimously approved.
VII. Old Business
A. Warden Bechtold provided a pandemic update. There are currently no staff nor inmates that are
COVID positive. Community release has been going well and the next step would be the weekender and
volunteer programs.
B. Warden Bechtold reported that the jail’s state inspection is scheduled for June.
C. The frustration over the virtual court proceedings were discussed. Judge Meyers reported a 30 second
delay on during yesterday’s videoconferences. He said that using the Polycom systems works well but
there are issues when an internet connection is needed. Commissioner Keller said that county
administration will continue to work with court administration to find solutions.
VIII. New Business
A. None
IX. Executive Session = Warden Bechtold requested for the meeting to go into an Executive Session to provide an
update on pending litigation. Controller Wissinger made the motion, District Attorney Fogal seconded the motion and
the meeting was unanimously approved to go into Executive Session. At the conclusion of the Executive Session,
Commissioner Keller made the motion, District Attorney Fogal seconded the motion and the Executive Session was
unanimously approved to end.
X. The next meeting is scheduled for May 10, 2022 at 8:30AM at the Franklin County Jail. Controller Wissinger moved
to end the meeting, District Attorney seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned.