Public Safety Committee (DOC/Garner) Minutes
Regular Meeting – June 4, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Newtown Municipal Center (Meeting Room #1)
3 Primrose Street, Newtown CT
Members Present: E. Patricia Llodra, First Selectman; Police Chief Michael Kehoe, Newtown Police Dept; Warden Scott Semple, Garner Correctional Facility; Joy Previdi; Mike Kelley; and Jack O’Byrne, Nunnawauk Meadows; Also Present: Andy Gorosko, Newtown Bee
Ms. Llodra convened the meeting at 5:00 pm.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Kelley motioned to approve the minutes of March 5, 2013. The motion was seconded by Chief Kehoe, then unanimously approved.
GARNER CORRECTIONAL FACILITY UPDATE
Population – Mr. Semple stated that the current population is 646, which breaks down to 317 mental health inmates; 191 general population; 90 accused/unsentenced; and 11 in the youth development unit. The overflow unit is holding 37 Level 2 (minimum security) sentenced inmates. The gym can hold up to 60, but 37 is the highest number they’ve had since taking on this population. The gym is climate controlled and secured with double sliders on each end of the gym. For overflow housing it is optimal.
Facility Improvements – Mr. Semple said they have completed the upgrade of their HVAC system. The controlled panel project is approximately 45% complete.
Youth Development Unit – Mr. Semple said expansion was delayed and expected to be completed in two weeks. This will add eight additional beds to the unit.
Staffing – Mr. Semple said there are still 25 vacancies for correction officers.
Incidences – Mr. Semple discussed two significant assaults. One assault resulted in an inmate being hit with a closed fist by another inmate. He was knocked unconscious with a fractured skull. He was at Danbury Hospital but is back at the facility. The assailant was charged with assault and transferred to the northern correctional facility. The second assault was more significant. An inmate used a shank, delivered several puncture wounds to another inmate hitting the aorta. He was sent to Danbury Hospital and had emergency surgery and survived. He is back in custody. Major crime was involved this case and the assailant received more significant charges and transferred to Northern as well. There were no staff injuries and it was not gang affiliated. This
resulted in a facility-wide shake down where they were in lock down for seven days.
Chief Kehoe asked what percentage of the population are gang-rated in the facility. Mr. Semple said they have about 75 prisoners designated as “Security Risk Group” inmates (evidence there is some gang affiliation). Then there are 15 inmates designated “Security Risk Group Threat” (definite evidence associated with gangs).
Ms. Llodra asked what help mental health inmates receive (support, therapeutic assistance). Mr. Semple said it depends on their level of functionality using the GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) score. The lower the score the more access they have to clinical staff. If a low functioning person has a low GAF score they receive weekly access to a psychiatrist and daily access to a clinician. All mental health units have clinical staff assigned on the unit so they can have continual access.
Mr. O’Byrne asked what would happen if an inmate escapes. Mr. Semple said they would make initial contacts, send out sector teams and get a police response (both local and state). He assured Mr. O’Byrne that one of the sector teams would be assigned to protect Nunnawauk Meadows.
Ms. Previdi asked how many of the mental health population re-enter the system. Mr. Semple said it is a higher number than average. They try to connect with family and if those bridges aren’t there they have little options - resources are limited for the mental health population.
Ms. Llodra said that much is tied back to the closing of institutions like Fairfield Hills. There are no support systems established for people who would have been previously housed in an institution. They end up homeless, on street corners, or in jails.
Mr. Semple said he has become more active in community organizations such as NAMI and has spoken at several events to discuss these issues. Ms. Previdi said housing is the problem. Ms. Llodra said group homes are needed that are appropriate and effective. Chief Kehoe mentioned Rocky Hill and the “not in my back yard” response to potential sites of group homes.
Ms. Llodra asked about the youth program and if there is a characteristic of the population. Mr. Semple said they are all designated special education needs with gang affiliations. He discussed the success of partnering with the families of the inmates and helping the inmates obtain their GED.
NEW BUSINESS – None
Mr. O’Byrne motioned to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Ms. Previdi. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Tammy Hazen, Clerk
| 
