Public Meeting Notice  Restrictive Housing Oversight Committee

Restrictive Housing and Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes

July 21^st, 2022

11:00am – 1:00pm

Members Present:

Chairman Andrew Peck

Attorney Bonnie Tenneriello

Joanne Barros

Dr. Brandy Henry

Kevin Flanagan

Hollie Matthews

Attorney Bob Fleischner

Kyle Pelletier

Justice Gerri Hines

Members Absent:

Christopher Fallon

Sheriff Tom Bowler

Attorney Tatum Pritchard

Review of Meeting Minutes:

The meeting was called to order at 11:04 once a quorum of members had been established. Dr. Henry noted that Christopher Fallon needed to be added to members present. K. Pelletier noted that it is 6 behavior assessment units. As edited B. Tenneriello made a motion to accept the minutes as amended, H. Matthews seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, and the minutes passed.

Subcommittee Updates:

B. Tenneriello stated that a law student is currently working on data analysis, and they are currently updating quarterly and county reports. The group hopes to have a draft completed by September.

County CJR and DOC Report:

DOC is up to date for 2021 and the first quarter of 2022 by September. Reporting and data for behavior assessment. There is a meeting next week to discuss how to streamline reporting into one document and what the future quarterly reports will look like. US Peck will check in regarding the MSA reports and the annual reporting.

Falcon Report:

K. Pelletier stated that there are no significant updates from the last presentation. Developing and implementing behavioral programming is continuing; this will include Souza- Baranowski. B. Tenneriello asked if Souza was still restrictive; Kyle responded that it is no longer restrictive as of May. Only A wing is being reported and utilized. Dr. Henry stated that in 2019 SMI status and DDU Status were reported as the same. Kyle will circle back with the group and provide information regarding how they are pulling and coding data.

Member Comment:

Chair Peck asked the group when they think it will be appropriate to tour the BAU’s. Members commented that they would appreciate a tour and to see first-hand how the programs are being implemented. Dr. Henry – concerned that if the Committee visits facilities prior to the final report being drafted that the group will feel compelled to include those findings in the current report. She would prefer to visit in the Spring rather than the Fall. Chair Peck offered that the group could write a second report. Dennis Everett suggested that the group build in work to include Corrections Officers and the people that are housed there. Also offers the possibility of prepping the inmates with the questions ahead of the visit to structure the visit. K. Flannagan added that with the build out of specialty units they are required to have mor Corrections Staff and he is noticing a lack of mental health clinicians. He would like to visit the facilities to see firsthand how the build out is going and how the facilities are operating now. D. Everett agreed with K. Flannagan and adds that we need to research how the roll out is going and how it is affecting the staff. We are creating a culture shift within the DOC and if the Corrections Officers and leaders do not feel that their needs are being met then it will not be as successful as we hope.

B. Tenneriello does not want anyone to have pre-conversations with the Correctional Staff/Inmates. Adds that RHOC has not had discussions with Staff and does not see the need for the group to intervene in staffing issues/concerns. K. Flannagan clarified that this is not a petition for RHOC to get involved in staffing issues; however, when you introduce more programming and out of cell time it takes more Corrections Officers, Nurse Practitioners, Program Coordinators etc.; when you don’t have that then the changes being made are all for not as it cannot be properly staffed.  D. Everett added that you cant simply enforce you have to engage those who are involved. We have to have forward thought in regard to Correction Staff mental health and Inmate mental health. We are not simply fixing a system it is also the people and it is important to provide them the proper support as well; it goes hand in hand. Dr. Henry thanked Dennis for his words and agrees with Kevin Flannagan. The group would have a stronger impact while the process is unfolding rather than later. The Committee should think of a way to establish a more continuous way of collecting information.

Public Comment:

M. Valerio – Reporting on the BAU’s is a snapshot; is it possible to add how long an individual has been there? Second- Staffing at Walpole is winding down and 200 officers will be absorbed into other facilities; can they be re-trained to take over the roles that are needed? There are a small number of Officers that are pleasant but there are several others that are aggressive to the visitors. If there is going to be retraining, then we have to look at how that is happening.

Restrictive Housing Oversight Committee

When: July 19, 2022

Where: Via Microsoft Teams

Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm

1. Call to Order
2. Review of Minutes
3. Subcommittee / Report Updates
4. County CJR and DOC Reporting Update
5. Falcon Implementation Update
6. Member Comment
7. Public Comment
8. Adjourn

If any member of the public wishing to attend this meeting seeks special accommodations in 

accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Amy Putvinskas at  Amy.M.Putvinskas@mass.gov