TOWN OF MANSFIELD/DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, July 16, 2008

Bergin Correctional Facility

 

Minutes

 

Members Present: A. Barberet, Deputy Warden N. Kearney (for Warden E. Higgins), C. Lary, C. Paulhus, W. Solenski, W. Stauder (Chair), S. Thomas

 

Members Absent: R. Blicher, G. Cole, R. Gergler, Warden E. Higgins R. Pellegrine, V. Stearns

 

Staff:   Maria Capriola (Town of Mansfield)

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

The meeting came to order at 3:03p.m. 

 

II.          MINUTES

Minutes of April 16, 2008 were approved unanimously.

 

III.         COMMUNICATIONS

List of Offenses: The Committee reviewed and discussed the May, June and July lists of offenses.”  Deputy Warden Kearney distributed the July list of offenses at the meeting.

 

Notification Letter: Deputy Warden Kearney reported that the community notification test went well on April 22, 2008.

 

IV.        WARDEN’S REPORT AND DISCUSSION

Deputy Warden Kearney stated that the current population is at 1,011 as of July 16th.  Currently there are no inmates in overflow at the Deardon Building because the population has decreased. 

 

Deputy Warden Kearney reviewed programming activities with the Committee.  Bergin implemented a new program in April named STRIDE.  STRIDE stands for Stepping into the Future with Pride and Purpose; it is a job readiness, research, and placement program. 

 

The GED and vocational programs had their graduation ceremony in the Spring as did the fatherhood (parenting) program. 

 

The razor wire installation contract has been awarded but a timeline for installation has not yet been determined. 

 

Deputy Warden Kearney stated that DCF will be bringing at-risk youth to Bergin; inmates will talk to the youth about making smart choices. 

 

4 new counselors are on board.  All counselors are now providing domestic violence training.  The Committee discussed the importance of domestic violence programming.

 

Bergin provided litter pick-up to the Town in the Spring and is willing to do for the Town in the future. 

 

With the good weather inmates have had outdoor recreational activities; Bergin allows 150-200 inmates to be outside for recreational activities at one time. 

 

V.        CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Ms. Stauder did not have anything to report but deferred to Ms. Capriola for two items.  Ms. Capriola announced that Sgt. James Kodzis has replaced Sgt. Brian Kennedy as Mansfield’s Resident Trooper Sergeant.  Sgt. Kodzis worked out of Troop C for some time and is familiar with Mansfield.

 

Mr. Paulhus and Ms. Capriola discussed placing Committee appointments as a future agenda item for the October meeting of the Committee.  Member appointments expired some time ago.  The Committee stated that Mansfield’s Resident Trooper Sergeant should be a voting member of the Committee since Coventry and UCONN police both have voting members.  Members present (Barberet, Lary, Paulhus, Solenski, Stauder, and Thomas) all expressed an interest in continuing to serve on the Committee.  The Committee agreed to place the topic on the October agenda so it can provide recommendations to the Committee on Committees regarding member appointments.

 

VI.        OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO SPEAK

There was no one from the public who wished to address the committee at this meeting.

 

VII.       ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. in order to hear a presentation on gangs and to tour the facility.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Maria E. Capriola, M.P.A.

Assistant to Town Manager