Clarksburg Citizens and Business Advisory Group Monthly Meeting

Montgomery County Correctional Facility | Telephone: (240) 773-9700

MEETING DATE: February 17, 2004 

Members Attending:
Bina Allgood- MCCF OSC
Joseph Anastasi- Montgomery County Police
Vicky Dorworth- Montgomery College
Leon Grant- Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
Robert Green- Warden
Nancy Hislop Up- County Services Center
Steve Howie- Clarksburg Civic Association
Russell Isler- MCCF Chaplain
 

REVIEW OF MINUTES - January minutes were reviewed and accepted by all present.

MONTH IN REVIEW
 

  • At our last meeting Steve brought up the community's concern of ambulance transports in their area. Rob reported that he met with Montgomery County Police and the Sheriff's Department to discuss the logistics of how we were providing service and looked at the amount of time an ambulance was being utilized while transporting an inmate to the hospital. Although all the agencies are doing an excellent job, the group came up with a few more ideas to improve the ambulance's transport time. Our objective is to get the County Police, Sheriff's Department and the ambulance (Fire and Rescue) in and out of service as quickly as possible. We will continue to keep all parties in communication

    Terry asked what is the average number of ambulance calls MCCF has had in one year. Rob reported approximately 5.2 per month.
    What hospital are the inmates taken? Primarily Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, but if SGAH is closed they are taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital or any of the other hospitals within the County.




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  • Steve requested that we continue to send the DOCR monthly intake report. It will be sent with the monthly minutes.

  • There have been no major issues with the facility. The average daily population is 701 at MCCF and 142 at MCDC. Intakes do not drive the population increase; it is the length of stay that increases the population.

  • We are monitoring legislative issues on the State level for corrections, law enforcement, public safety, community treatment, mental health, sentencing, or fiscal impact. We monitor any issue that may cause an impact to our population. To monitor the legislation filed everyday, go to the Maryland General Assembly web page.

There is one legislative issue that will affect the inmates; telephone revenue. A portion of the revenue that an inmate pays to make a phone call goes into a dedicated account to provide for their programs, education, etc. There is a proposal, to be implemented over the next five years, which will eventually stop this money from going towards these inmate services. This money will go to the telephone company instead of the facilities. This will virtually end any funding for inmate programs. We will continue to monitor the progress of this legislation.

  • What is the price per call for an inmate to make a call? There is a one time cost of 85 cents per local call. What does the local calling area include? Rob will bring a map of the intra-latta and inter-latta areas to our next meeting. Some areas that used to be a local call are now long distance since we have moved to Boyds.

  • Art testified recently on behalf of the Crownsville State Mental Hospital. It appears that because of fiscal problems, it will be closing. This is 120-200 mental health beds that the State will not have to serve the community.

  • In March Vonda Henley, Volunteer Coordinator, will be holding the first Volunteers meeting. This is a meeting not only to find out what is going on at MCCF, but also to share resources between volunteers. In April the first quarterly newsletter will going out to the MCCF volunteer community.

  • In February we did special programs for Black History month. Out of 701 inmates, 389 have actively participated. We have had programs involving art, literature, and guest speakers.

  • The budget continues to be a serious issue. The revenue generated by the federal inmates has been a great help to the budget situation. As of today we have 42 (men and woman) federal inmates. We are approved for 75 federal inmates.

  • Rob spoke of our continuing relationship with Montgomery College. Dr. Dorworth and Rob are working on what can be done to get our officers additional credit/training through the college.

  • March 22 will be the one year anniversary of the opening of MCCF

    GUEST SPEAKER 
    Senior Chaplain Russell Isler, one of two Chaplains at MCCF spoke of the Faith Based Programs.

The Chaplain started with the Detention Division at MCDC in 1999, coming from Niagara Falls, New York. He has been a Chaplain for approximately 24 years.

  • He is employed by the Good News Jail Ministry. They place Chaplains around the world. Montgomery County provides an office, supplies and security equipment. The Chaplain's budget is funded by donations from the community, churches, and fund raising.
  • The duties of the Chaplains are mostly to oversee all the religious needs of the inmates or just to listen to their concerns and oversee Pastoral visits.
  • There are a choice of four Inmate Religious Request Forms (attached) that the inmate fills out to attend a religious program. There are over 50 programs.
  • There are approximately 350 faith based volunteers. The majority of the volunteers go directly to the housing pods. This gives the opportunity for more inmates to attend these programs. Those in the housing pod who do not want to participate in the program can lock into their cells.
  • The Chaplains get many calls from people who want to volunteer. It is hard to use all of them for religious programs. They try to steer them to other needs such as volunteering at the library, teaching a reading class, etc.
  • All programs are open to all inmates. It is up to the inmate to sign up. A complete database is maintained of programs and attendees.
  • The Chaplains get frequent calls from the inmate's families on the welfare of their loved ones.
  • The Chaplains are involved in the faith based aftercare programs that are offered to inmates. There are four faith based churches that provide after care ministry. An after care volunteer would come to see the inmate approximately 90 days before their release. The aftercare programs can provide someone to talk to, clothing, transportation, housing, job skills, etc. after their release.
  • Programs are set up by the Chaplains for the children of the inmates, especially at the holiday season. They make sure that there are gifts for the children at Christmas.
  • Inmate marriages at MCCF are arranged by the chaplain and performed by an outside minister. They are non-contact ceremonies.

    GROUP COMMENTS / ISSUES / CONCERNS 

  • Terry spoke of a camp for the children of inmates that is being planned through his church. It is scheduled for August 9, 10, and 11. It will be at a camp called Marymac in Sharpsburg, Pa. They have approximately 30 volunteers to assist with the camp so far.