Public Safety Committee (DOC/Garner) Minutes
Regular Meeting – March 1, 2011 5:00 pm
Newtown Municipal Center (Meeting Room #1)
3 Primrose Street, Newtown CT
Members Present: First Selectman E. Patricia Llodra; Deputy Warden Tim Farrell, Garner Correctional Facility; Chief of Police, Michael Kehoe; Jack O’Byrne, Nunnawauk Meadows; Stephen Sedensky, State’s Attorney; Mike Kelly; and Kevin Cragin, Board of Fire Commissioners.
First Selectmen Llodra convened the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Public Participation – Bruce Clark from the Pootatuck Fish and Game Club and Andy Gorosko from the Newtown Bee were present but offered no comments.
Approval of Minutes – Chief Kehoe motioned to approve the minutes of December 7, 2010. Deputy Warden Farrell seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as written.
Annual Report – The committee reviewed and approved the Annual Report (Please see attachment).
Garner Correctional Facility Update
Deputy Warden Farrell stated the population of the facility is currently 635, which breaks down to General Population: 288; Mental Health Population: 347; as well as 430 as sentenced and 205 as unsentenced. He said there have been no issues and that there are no major projects coming up. If funds become available they would like to refurbish the showers and fix some asphalt paving. All safety securities are always quickly addressed. The staffing is full with some retirements coming up.
The Everbridge project is still in progress and should be up and running by spring. Chief Kehoe said they will move contacts from the current system over into the Everbridge system.
First Selectman Llodra asked about the ratio of mental health to general population. Deputy Warden Farrell explained that Garner is a specialist of sorts with having the proper programs for adult male offenders with mental health issues and that there is always a waiting list.
Chief Kehoe said the plan to revisit Nunnawauk Meadows is still in the works. Ms. Llodra said she is concerned that many residents at Nunnawauk are not signed up for the emergency notification system.
Without further discussions, Mr. Cragin motioned to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Kelly. The meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Tammy Hazen, Clerk.
Public Safety Committee
2010 Annual Report
As per Connecticut General Statute, "The Department of Correction shall establish a public safety committee in each municipality in which a correctional facility is located. ~Each committee shall be composed of the warden or superintendent of the correctional facility and representatives appointed by the chief elected official of the municipality. ~Each committee shall meet not less than quarterly to review correctional safety and security issues which affect the host municipality."
The Public Safety Committee (DOC/Garner) meets on the first Tuesday of March, June, September and December, at 5:00 pm. As of 2011, the committee will be meeting at the Newtown Municipal Center. All agendas are published on the Town of Newtown’s website. The public is welcome to attend.
Those currently serving on the Public Safety Committee are: First Selectman E. Patricia Llodra; Police Chief Michael Kehoe; Gino Faiella (School Systems Representative); Kevin Cragin (Representing the Board of Fire Commissioners); John O’Byrne (representing Nunnawauk Meadows); Joy Previdi (Newtown resident); Michael Kelley (Newtown resident); and Stephen Sedensky (State’s Attorney).
The Warden provides population updates for Garner at each meeting, breaking down the total population into General Population (with mental health scores of 1, 2, or 3) and the Mental Health Population (with mental health scores of 4 or 5). The figures are also broken down to sentenced and unsentenced inmates. All incidents at the prison are reported to the committee as well.
A facility-wide shakedown was completed in April. Although no weapons were found, contraband was confiscated (not necessarily drugs).
There was a successful tour of Garner by the Newtown Emergency Response teams and Fire Department. Schematics were reviewed and it was confirmed that the Town’s apparatus works well within the facility.
The Warden provides frequent updates on their programs, such as their garden program where inmates grow vegetables that are used with their Culinary Arts program. This program helps inmates become certified for working in restaurants. Other programs include outdoor activities that are in a secure, fenced in area.
First Selectman Llodra, Chief Kehoe, and Warden Semple met with Nunnawauk Meadows residents to answer questions and respond to concerns regarding safety. All communications and alert systems were reviewed. The residents were directed to call the Police if they see anything or anyone suspicious.
Warden Semple discussed procedures for high security or high profile prisoner transports. Transports have three dedicated officers with two armed staff in the vehicles and are equipped with cell phones and radios. State Police are sometimes called to assist. Prisoners are secured in restraints, seat-belted, and transported in caged vehicles.
The Warden reported that although there has been an increase in gang activity in the country as a whole, Garner has not seen any spike in gang activity.
It was confirmed that the facility’s fire suppression team’s system works very well. There were three fires that were successfully controlled internally.
Former Warden Dzurenda was promoted to District Administrator and then to Deputy Commissioner for DOC.
Garner has updated their radios and base station systems to digital.
During the December meeting, Capt. Joe Carlone and Lt. Tim Halloran from the State of Connecticut, DOC Operations Unit presented the Everbridge System, an emergency notification system being launched for DOC and other public safety agencies. Newtown will be added to this system before other towns. The DOC will use Everbridge as a crisis communications tool. Guidelines for significant incidences are deemed through their agency (i.e., breach of a facility perimeter, possession of firearms, riots, fire, bomb threat, and biochemical contamination). The Warden will be the Incident Commander. Notifications can be sent to e-mails, cell phones, land lines, or pagers. There is no cost to the Town for the Everbridge System. Warden Semple and Chief Kehoe will develop a First Responders group.
All residents are encouraged to sign up for CT Alert WWW.CTAlert.gov as well.
Prepared by Tammy Hazen, Clerk.
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