TOWN OF MANSFIELD/DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, January 19, 2005
Minutes
W. Stauder, S. Thomas
Staff: Counselor D.
Cyr, State Trooper D. Hall,
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Pro Temp Stauder called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone present.
1. Mr. Hart volunteered to serve as the recorder/secretary for the meeting.
2. Mr. Pellegrine moved to approve the minutes of October 20, 2004, to be corrected to note Mr. Blicher as present. Mr. Paulhus seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
II. COMMUNICATIONS
1. The packet included the List of Offenses for November and December 2004. There was no discussion of these items.
III. WARDEN’S REPORT AND DISCUSSION
1. Population Status Report/List of Offenses – Counselor Cyr reported that the current population is 965 inmates. He then reviewed the list of offenses with the committee.
Mr. Solenski asked whether any of the conspiracy charges relate to sexual assault. Mr. Cyr stated they do not.
Mr. Pellegrine suggested that staff refer the matter of selecting a chair for the committee to the town council’s committee on committees. Audrey Barberet did a very good job in this role.
IV. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT - None
V.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
1. Review Resident Concerns – Mr. Hart stated the committee had been approached by a member of the community who was concerned about the classification of inmates at Bergin. Warden Higgins explained how the inmate classification system works. The system is objective and fact-based, and Bergin always conducts an internal review for every inmate. If an inmate escapes or attempts to escape, he is immediately transferred. In response to the recent escapes, staff has developed an action plan, which they have sent to the department for review. They have also trimmed the foliage and are looking to improve the lighting. All movement of inmates is now halted during times of low light.
Mr. Solenski asked about the frequency of head counts. The warden explained that these do occur very frequently, and the staff-to-inmate ratio is very good.
Mr. Hart inquired about the process in which the classification of an inmate is downgraded over time for good behavior. The warden explained that the department uses seven objective factors in this analysis, and that sexual offenders cannot get to level two without the approval of the commissioner.
Mr. Solenski asked if the most recent escapee had an out-of-state warrant. Counselor Cyr replied that he did not.
Mr. Pellegrine asked if recidivism is a problem,. Counselor Cyr replied that this was hard to determine, but it is a factor. There is a lot of peer pressure from other inmates.
Ms. Stauder inquired as to how the committee could address this situation. Mr. Solenski responded that all we can do is to tell the public the facts. Mr. Blicher added that he did not think it was necessarily the responsibility of the committee to answer the questions – the committee’s job is to serve as facilitator to make sure that the Bergin staff is fully aware of the community’s concerns. Mr. Pellegrine stated that the facility had a stormy start, but that the recent history has been exemplary. For example, in the old days there was talk about inmates jumping the fence to get a cup of coffee in Mansfield Depot, and then returning to the facility.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1.
Land Exchange with UConn – Mr. Pellegrine asked about the town’s planned land exchange
with the state. Mr. Hart explained that
the town had conveyed a parcel of land adjacent to Bergin to UConn in exchange
for a parcel of UConn property along the
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Pro Temp Stauder adjourned the meeting at 3:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew W. Hart
Assistant Town Manager