HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRISON BOARD MINUTES August 2022
FRANKLIN COUNTY PRISON BOARD MINUTES
Franklin County Jail
August 9, 2022
Present:
John Flannery, Commissioner Dave Keller, Commissioner
Hon. Shawn Meyers, President Judge Matt Fogal, District Attorney
Harold Wissinger, Controller Bill Bechtold, Warden
Dane Anthony Sheriff Benjamin Sites, Deputy Sheriff
Carrie Gray, County Administrator Doug Wilburne, Probation Chief
John Thierwechter, Asst County Administrator Mark Singer, Court Administrator
Geoffrey Willet, Probation Deputy Chief Ellen Eckert, Pre-Release Supervisor
Jeffrey Scott, FCJ Deputy Warden Heather Franzoni, FCJ Deputy Warden
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 July 2022 meeting were discussed.
A. Controller Wissinger moved to accept the minutes, Sheriff Anthony seconded the motion
and the minutes were unanimously approved.
IV. Warden’s Report
A. There were 132 commitments and 138 discharges in July.
B. The average daily population was 276 with an average of 222 males and 54 females.
C. The recidivism rate was 51% when looking at all new commitments and the recidivism rate was 44%
when looking at those being held for trial only.
D. At a snapshot view at the beginning of August there were 94 sentenced and 183 unsentenced inmates.
There were 10 inmates on Approved Temporary Absence status. Twenty-five were pending transfer to
other facilities, 24 of those pending transfer to SCI.
E. There was $6,240 collected in total revenue for July.
F. The average length of stay (ALOS) for those discharged in July was 78 days.
G. There was one inmate housed in Centre.
H. A breakdown of the demographic statistics for July indicated that males made up 76% of the
population, 73% of the population were white, 39% of the population were between the ages of 25-34,
68% were single, 3% were military veterans and 81% had at least their high school diploma or GED.
I. PrimeCare’s medical report was presented. There were 994 sick calls. There were 19 outside medical
appointments and eight trips to the ER. There were 689 mental health contacts. There were 49 inmates
on suicide watch. Two inmates required 1:1 observation. There were no inmates at Torrance State
Hospital. There were seven participants in the Sex Offender’s Treatment Program. There were 44 in
the Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) program. There were 180 on the MH caseload and an
additional 43 with SMI diagnoses. There were 59 commitments placed on detox protocol. There were
five pregnant inmates. Eighteen inmates were given the COVID vaccine.
J. June 2022’s expenditures were discussed.
K. District Attorney Fogal moved to accept the Warden’s report, Controller Wissinger seconded the
motion and the report was unanimously approved.
V. Intermediate Punishment report
A. The Community Release department received 29 intakes and had 39 releases.
B. There were two inmates placed in jobs. .
C. There were 1819 hours of community service completed.
D. The Pre-Trial Release program had 60 offenders.
E. The Drug and Alcohol RIP/DCIP program had 75 offenders. There were eight successful discharges.
F. The Sexual Offender Program had 44.
G. There were 30 offenders on the Mental Health caseload.
H. The Electronic Monitoring Program had 20 offenders.
I. There were 165 jail days saved by using the alternative sanctions of electronic monitoring (629 days),
DCIP/D&A RIP (2488 days), intensive supervision (151 days) and pre-trial release (1881 days).
J. There were 26 offenders detained in July and 18 given alternative sanctions.
K. The Community Release Department collected $12,988 and the Probation Department collected
$238,699.
VI. Old Business
A. Warden Bechtold provided a pandemic update. There is currently one staff member out on pandemic
precautions and one inmate that is positive.
B. Warden Bechtold provided a staffing update. There are 90 positions filled and nine vacancies.
Overtime has been an issue, with an average of nine officers being mandated per shift. Warden Bechtold
thanked the Sheriff’s Office for assisting with coverage.
C. County Administrator Gray updated the Prison Board on action taken due to the public comment from
Tony Bowman (House of Hope) at last month’s meeting. A comprehensive investigation and response has
been completed. Members from County Administration, Franklin/Fulton Drug and Alcohol and
Community Connections will meet with Mr. Bowman to discuss the outcome.
VII. New Business
A. Warden Bechtold announced his intent to retire, with his last day scheduled for December 7, 2022.
VIII. The next meeting is scheduled for September 13, 2022 at 8:30AM at the Franklin County Administration Building.
Controller Wissinger moved to end the meeting, Sheriff Anthony seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned.