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MINUTES

WASHINGTON STATE JAIL INDUSTRIES BOARD MEETING
October 25, 2002

Criminal Justice Training Center
19010 1st Avenue South
Burien, Washington

Room E-154



Members Present:
Mary Boehnke, Jeralita Costa, Ed Crawford, Ramona Dahl (acting), Kenneth Kunes, Debra Latimer, Andre Loh, Randy Loomans, Runette Mitchell-Marshall, Bruce Thompson, Julie Wilson, Marvin Wolff, Howard Yarbrough, Dennis Graham (staff), Krisztina Kovacs (staff), Jill Will (staff).

Proxies Presented:
None

Members Absent:
Jane Johnson, David Johnson, Bill Lehning, Garry Lucas, Helen McGovern, Jim Powers.

Guests Present:
Mark Holst, Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Programs Sergeant; Jeff West, Chelan County Regional Justice Center Corporal.


A. Quorum Check/Opening Business
Chair Marvin Wolff determined a quorum was present and called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. Members introduced themselves.

Ms. Will announced that Governor Locke appointed David Johnson, Political Director for the Iron Workers Union, as the third labor representative to the Board. Mr. Johnson was unable to attend the meeting because of a prior commitment, but is eager to participate in future meetings.

B. Approval of the Minutes, July 26, 2002 Meeting
Randy Loomans noted that a correction was needed to the minutes, Page Two, third line from the bottom of page: strike "hould" and insert "should". A motion to approve the minutes as amended was made, seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote.

C. Executive Director's Report
There was discussion on several items in the report.

Correction
Andre Loh noted a correction was necessary to the report on Page Four, Clark County Update. The contract was extended through December 2002, not December 2001.

Arbitration Process
The Jail Industries Board received a follow up memo from the Attorney General's office indicating that the Board does not have regulatory authority, hence the formal hearing methods of the Administrative Procedures Act are not appropriate for designing an arbitration process. Since the arbitration would not be a regulatory or quasi-judicial proceeding, the emphasis should be on developing informal problem solving/dispute resolution/communication facilitation mechanisms. Perhaps this process can be looked upon as providing a forum for claims and requests. The discussion closed with members noting that local claims should be addressed by local advisory boards. The Board's process does not substitute for local involvement.

Budget Process Update
The Department of Corrections completed its budget submittal to the Office of Financial Management, including the required ranking of all activities as 1, 2, or 3 in order of importance. Base level funding for the Board is in the #3 (lowest) priority category of the maintenance level budget. The Board's request for an enhancement has been placed at #7 on a list of seven. The entire state budget is being developed in an overall review of how the state is delivering its services, and which services to deliver. "Result teams" looking at priorities are auditing and eviewing services delivered by different agencies with an aim toward consolidation, elimination of duplication, and cutting back on non-essential services.

Drivers' License Recovery Issue
Ms. Will noted that little activity has taken place on the drivers' license recovery issue, which was first placed on the Board's agenda during the Apprenticeship Information Pilot Project. She asked if Board members still wished this be on the list of action items. Members responded that it was important to keep this issue in front of the Board and to try to get other agencies to participate in efforts to address this situation statewide. Helping clients recover their drivers' licenses is in the interest of many state agencies but funds are not available to initiate assistance programs. Private sector and not-for-profit foundation money should be pursued to set up systemic solutions that deal with offenders who have driving infractions in multiple jurisdictions. Resource contacts include Mark Scott of the TRAC program at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, Ken Mensching at the Correctional Industries Asbestos Abatement Program and various community colleges.

Office Move
The Board's offices will move into the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs building in Lacey, effective November 1, 2002. Ms. Will thanked Board members for their help in finding this new home. Change of address information will go out to all Board members and the Board's mailing list.

Corrections Clearinghouse Update
Debra Latimer has been hired to fill the Director's position of Corrections and Special Operations, effective November 12, 2002. This position was left vacant with Doug Jacques' retirement. Doug is recovering well from major surgery to replace much of his damaged aorta with a synthetic blood vessel.

Clark County Update
The Sheriff's office will be applying for a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for $50 to $100,000. The grant would provide seed money to start recycling electronic waste in Southwest Washington.

OLD BUSINESS

D. Review of the Interim Marketing Plan
Board members reviewed the Interim Marketing Plan and had a variety of suggestions for successful marketing efforts and key messages.

Action Item: When key marketing messages are completed, review with Bruce Thompson and Beth Carlson of Correctional Industries.

E. Review of the Interim Business Plan/Implementation Committee Reports
Board members broke into committees to work on suggested marketing approaches for the business plan.

Work of the Data Collection Committee is on hold until after November.

Not enough members of the Private Sector Liaison Committee were present to report.

The Corrections Liaison Committee suggested working with CTED to identify key work segments by geographic area, identifying benefits of the program for corrections professionals, and show the Clark County model as an example. For jail industries programs to appeal to jail commanders, the benefits must be specific for eachjurisdiction, use money that can be recovered, provide community benefit, result in real dollar savings, and help inmates obtain skills.

The Labor Liaison Committee recognized that the building trades are most concerned about potential impacts of offender labor. The Board must be non-threatening and show that offender labor is not taking work away from their members. The best avenue for working with labor is through apprenticeship programs that provide jobs and training for offenders with no dislocation of workers. A possible model would be watershed restoration apprenticeships which start while offenders are in jail, then continue when the offender is released from incarceration.

The Legislative Liaison Committee noted that the Democratic Caucus would meet after November 10 to select committee chairs if they are in the majority.

The Local Government Liaison Committee with meet in the Tacoma area to review their portion of the business plan.

The Arbitration Committee work was deferred until a proposed process is available for review.

NEW BUSINESS

F. Review of Pending PIECP Application
Clark County is negotiating with a potential PIEPC partner. If an application is submitted, a special meeting of the Board may be required to review and act upon the application.

Steve Paus presented the Home Port Learning Center-Whatcom County's alternative corrections program for juvenile offenders. The Home Port Learning Center was started with two grants and opened in 1994. Since 1995 the program has been funded by Whatcom County's seven school districts, the Juvenile Probation Department, contributions from the general public, and special project grants.

G. Schedule 2003 Board Meetings
Board members scheduled the following meetings for 2003:

January 10, 2003, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Criminal Justice Training Center, Burien, Room E-290

May 16, 2003, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Criminal Justice Training Center, Burien, Room E-130

September 12, 2003, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Criminal Justice Training Center, Burien, Room E-130

November 14, 2003, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Criminal Justice Training Center, Burien, Room E-290



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