TOWN OF MANSFIELD/DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, January 17, 2007
Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building
Council Chambers
Minutes
Members Present: R. Blicher, E. Higgins, C. Lary, C. Paulhus, W. Stauder, R. Gergler, G. Cole, A. Barberet, W. Solenski.
Members Absent: R. Pellegrine, V. Stearns, S. Thomas
Staff: M. Capriola, Counselor Cyr
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting came to order at 3:15 p.m.
II. MINUTES
1. October 18, 2006 Meeting Minutes – Mr. Cole made a motion, seconded by Mr. Blicher, to approve the minutes of October 18, 2006. The motion passed unanimously.
III. COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Barberet inquired about the kidnapping offense on the November 14, 2006 List of Offenses at DBCI. Ms. Higgins stated that the person with the kidnapping offense could have likely served a certain percentage of time served and may have been a Level 2 while at DBCI.
Mr. Solenski inquired as to why an escape I (as listed on the November 14, 2006 List of Offenses at DCBI) prisoner would be held at a minimum security prison. Ms. Higgins responded that the individual was a special parole case and is no longer at DBCI.
IV. WARDEN’S REPORT AND DISCUSSION
1. Population Status Report – Ms. Higgins reported that the population was currently at 1021. Bergin’s normal maximum capacity is 962 inmates, but the facility can accommodate an overflow by housing inmates in some of the common areas, which are outfitted with beds and lockers. The population is seasonal and fluctuates and was recently as low as 960.
2. List of Offenses – Mr. Cyr reviewed the list of offenses for the current population, which was similar to previous lists. Mr. Cyr stated that many offenses, such as DUI, are seasonal. Mr. Cyr clarified that the kidnapping offense did not involve a minor. Mr. Cole commented on the high turnover. Ms. Higgins stated that approximately 1/3 of the population turns over monthly.
V. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman did not have a report for this meeting. Ms. Stauder did mention that the Hartford Courant had recently run an interesting Associated Press article regarding mental health challenges for prisoners when they re-enter society after an incarceration.
VI. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO SPEAK
There was no one from the public who wished to address the committee at this meeting.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
1. Security Measures – Ms. Higgins reported that the installation of the interior wire was completely installed, but that minor modifications are being made such as raising the wire near the basketball courts. Ms. Higgins stated that the wiring is effective.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Overflow Population – This topic was addressed earlier in the meeting during the Warden’s Population Status Report.
2. Annual Report to State Legislature - The Committee discussed accomplishments from 2006 and initiatives for 2007 to be included in the Annual Report to the State Legislature. Accomplishments included: updated the emergency phone list; tested the emergency notification phone system; installed razor wire; toured the DBCI facility; maintained a good working relationship between the community and DBCI; inmates assisted with Spring Weekend clean-up; and no escapes occurred from DBCI. Initiatives for the upcoming year include: touring the DBCI facility; testing the emergency notification phone system; and introducing new DBCI command staff to the Public Safety Committee.
3. Consolidation of Public Safety and Correctional Facility Liaison Committees - The Public Safety Committee discussed the possibility of merging with the Correctional Facility Liaison Committee. Ms. Barberet proposed keeping the two committees separate because outreach is different from public safety. Ms. Higgins stated that she believes outreach and public safety are intertwined; without outreach and programming, the safety of the inmates and of the public are jeopardized. Ms. Higgins further stated that community involvement would not cease if the committees were merged.
Mr. Blicher inquired as to the legality of merging the committees. Further discussion included determining the historical basis for the creation of the Correctional Facility Liaison Committee. Ms. Capriola stated that the Town can research both the legal and historic foundation for the establishment of the Correctional Facility Liaison Committee.
4. Ms. Barberet inquired as to whether or not UCONN students that have committed crimes may be forced to conduct community service by picking up roadside litter. Mr. Blicher stated that if a student is sentenced to complete community service, they could, for example, be tasked with activities such as picking up trash around local roads.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maria Capriola
Assistant to Town Manager
TOWN OF MANSFIELD CORRECTIONAL FACILITY LIAISON COMMITTEE
January 17, 2007
Members and Staff Present: Same as DOC Public Safety Committee.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting came to order at 3:55 p.m.
II. MINUTES
1. October 18, 2006 Meeting Minutes - The motion to adopt the minutes passed unanimously.
III. COMMUNICATIONS – None
IV. WARDEN’S REPORT AND DISCUSSION
Community Outreach and Programming Updates
· The vocational teacher for the greenhouse program would be starting Friday, January 19, 2007. The greenhouse will be ready shortly after the arrival of the vocational teacher.
· The culinary program typically has 3 classes a day, approximately 10 students per session, totaling 30 students a day.
· 3 new positions are being added to Bergin to assist inmates with re-entry issues. A transition teacher will be added to assist with educational related re-entry issues, a counselor will be added to assist with social services related re-entry issues, and a programmer will be added.
· The outdoor basketball courts will be constructed in the Spring.
· The state has awarded a contract for additional halfway house beds.
· Bergin has been hiring officers and should be fully staffed by Spring.
· GED testing occurred in the previous week and Bergin will be adding teachers.
· Mr. Cyr stated that approximately 78 inmates work off-site (supervised) daily. Some communities utilizing this program include Eastford, Mansfield, Stafford, and Colchester.
V. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO SPEAK
There was no one from the public who wished to address the committee at this meeting.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business listed on this agenda.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business listed on this agenda.
The next meeting of the Correctional Facility Liaison will follow the Public Safety Committee meeting April 18, 2007 at Bergin at 3pm.
ADJOURNMENT
The Committee adjourned at 4:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maria Capriola
Assistant to Town Manager