Public Meeting Notice  Special Commission to Study LGBTGQI Inmate Health and Safety

Special Commission to Study LGBTQI Health and Safety

When: February 17, 2022

Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm

Where: Via Microsoft Teams

Members Present:

Mitzi Peterson

Pamela Klein

Attorney Lizz Matos

Attorney Jennifer Levi

Michael Cox

Sheriff Pat Cahillane

David Mills

Casey Lepisto

Call to order  

P. Klein took attendance, called the meeting to order, and established a quorum was present.

Review of Minutes

Sheriff Cahillane made a correction to the statement on page 3, second paragraph. The sentence should read “Rocky Hill Re-entry Collaborative looks to assist people who have been recently paroled.” With this change the Commission has approved the minutes. P. Klein motions to accept minutes with edits, Atty Levi seconds the motion to approve.

NECC Tour

M. Peterson and C. Lepisto attended the tour. There was one individual who identified as Bi-Sexual and provided insight on the Corrections Officers. This specific induvial was interviewed by M. Peterson and C. Lepisto, it was noted that the individual pushed for more training for the importance of humanity. When asked for specific recommendations the individual mentioned sensitivity training. D. Mills spoke regarding sensitivity training becoming a reoccurring theme. Sheriff Cahillane echoed the importance of sensitivity training for all staff. M. Peterson added to the conversation stating that within the coming year all Corrections Officers will be wearing Body Worn Cameras with audio in hopes that some of the issues will be eliminated. C. Lepisto added that all counties should follow the implementation of Body Worn Cameras with audio.

Future Visits

M. Peterson is working to make a video visit of Plymouth possible; there was explicit interest in attending MCI Walpole. Atty. Mattos would like to visit Bristol County. March 16^th the Commission will visit Souza Baranowski and March 31^st there is a visit scheduled for MCI Cedar Junction.

Report Composition & Completion

P. Klein reported that the MOU has been shared with Harvard and the students will review after Spring Break.

Atty Levi asked for an agenda item to be added for the next meeting: Recommendations. The Commission will discuss what recommendations they would like to see in the final report during the next meeting.

Member Comment

M. Cox reported that Black and Pink is opening a house for recently released individuals that is 100% operational because of the community donating resources. The opening of the house is anticipated to be June 2022 with no limit of long an individual can continue to stay.

Two agenda items will be added for April’s meeting: Review Recommendations and 652 and 653 informational.

Public Comment

There were no members of the public that entered comments.

Adjourn

P. Klein made a motion to adjourn, M. Cox seconded the motion, the meeting adjourned at 12:30pm.