Council on Correction Meeting Minutes
May 27, 2014
I Call to Order:
Chair Roger Levy
II Attendance:
Members in Attendance: DOC in Attendance:
Roger Levy Commissioner Coupe
Melissa Dill Security Detail-Lt Howard
Jane Hovington Cpl. Wood
Richard Senato
Members of the Public:
None
Special Guests:
Ms. Lydia Prigg (Governor’s Office)
III. Minutes from the March 25, 2014 meeting were reviewed
Minutes could not be approved, no quorum.
IV. Introduction of Ms. Lydia Prigg (Governor’s Office)
· Ms. Prigg oversees committees and boards for the Governor’s Office and was invited to this meeting due to challenges in obtaining a quorum at meetings due to attendance and related matters.
· Suggestion to propose legislation to reduce the size of the Council on Correction to improve functionality of the Council
· Reduce Council size to 7 members
· Do not use DOC personnel for meeting minutes. Create a Secretary position for the Council
· Create Subcommittees to focus on interests/issues of the Council
· Create a “New Member” book for orientation to the Council and include Council By-Laws
· Ms. Prigg will work with Legislators to propose legislation to change the Council size to 7 members and make the Chair a position elected by the Council members not appointed by the Governor.
· (Update: Legislation was proposed SB256 and passed the Senate and the House. Awaiting the Governor’s Signature)
IV Old Business:
· Proposed By-Laws were distributed to the Council Members.
V New Business:
· Council requested a briefing next meeting on the Level 4 Treatment Programs
· Council requested contact information for Family Services Coordinator Ms. Chelsea Hicks (e-mailed to Council Members on 05/28/14 rmc)
· New date for next meeting is 07/15/14 due to conflicts for Council members with 7/22/14 date (e-mailed to Council 05/28/14 rmc)
· Plan to discuss & approve By-Laws at next meeting
· Request from Council for a copy of Commissioner Coupe’s JFC presentation (e-mailed to Council 05/28/14 rmc)
· Ms. Hovington had a question about bail posting at BWCI and delayed release of offender that occurred 3-4 months ago. Commissioner proposed that a presentation on the new operation structure of Central Offender Records (COR) be presented at the next meeting. Also to provide contact information to all Council members for Ms. Hicks to address these concerns at the time they occur.
· Ms. Dill had a question about the policy on attorney professional visits to SCI pertaining to escorts. (follow-up from BOP to be provided)
· Mr. Levy asked about recent newspaper articles in regards to events at SCI. Discussion with Commissioner, but limited detail due to ongoing investigations by Delaware State Police.
VI Public Comments/Questions:
· No members of the public were in attendance
VII. Commissioner’s Remarks
· Plan to create a statewide Diversity Council for DOC is being developed
· Legislative Update:
o HB 264 – Allowing DOC the option to hire ex-offenders as casual seasonal employees upon their completion of a DOC Vocational Program for up to 6 months upon their release to the community from L4/L5. (passed and signed into law on 07/09/14)
o SB 174 – Amended Title 11 Section 1258 and recognized tobacco and nicotine products as under definition of contraband (passed 06/30/14)
o SB 256 – Council on Correction (passed 06/30/14)
o SB 243– Recognized Probation & Parole Officers in definition of Law Enforcement Officer Title 11 Section 222 (15) (passed 6/26/14)
· Service Dog Program considered for BWCI. Warden Caple, Chief Phelps and Deputy Commissioner Hines visited Maryland DOC to see Canine Partners for Life program with program leaders Darlene Sullivan and Susan Guy.
· April 4, 2014 the new Georgetown Probation & Parole office held their open house
· Connections is the new DOC Medical provider effective 07/01/2014
· Commissary is now DOC operated after Swanson contract was broken. Transition is occurring.
· GTL has inmate telephone contract through July 1, 2015
VIII. Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm
**Next COC meeting is scheduled for Tue. July 15, 2014, 4:00 pm at the DOC Admin Building – Conference Room 300.
rmc
COC 5/27/14Page 3