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Prison board explains complaint process
Friday, July 13, 2012
By Josh Woods Staff Writer
Clearfield County Prison Board yesterday at its meeting discussed the correct procedure for free members of society to submit a complaint.
Clearfield County President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman said the correct way for non-incarcerated individuals to submit a complaint to Clearfield County Prison Board is to submit it in writing. Complaints may be mailed to Judge Ammerman, 230 E. Market St., Clearfield, PA 16830. All complaints would be copied by his staff and distributed to members of the prison board for review.
The complaint discussion stemmed from an advertisement that an area man published in The Progress inviting the public to attend yesterday's meeting if they had been wronged or mistreated at Clearfield County Jail. Ammerman allowed the man, Bill Bowman, to give a verbal complaint because he was incorrectly informed he could do so at the meeting.
Bowman said he and his daughter entered CCJ on June 27 to give clothing to another daughter who is presently incarcerated there. When they arrived, they spoke to a female corrections officer at the window just inside the entrance of the jail. The CO used obscene language when commenting on Bowman's incarcerated daughter, he said, and it upset him that a corrections officer would use obscene language when speaking to members of the public.
Commissioner John Sobel said Bowman approached Clearfield County Commissioners about holding a public rally at the courthouse. The commissioners discouraged Bowman from holding a rally and suggested he attend the prison board meeting, he said. Ammerman said non-incarcerated individuals should submit any complaints in writing rather than encouraging the general public to attend meetings en masse.
Warden Sam Lombardo said he spoke to the corrections officer who was allegedly involved in the incident, and she indicated the obscene statements were not made. Lombardo said he could review security video to see if a conversation took place between Bowman, his daughter and the CO on June 27.
Several individuals who saw Bowman's ad in The Progress attended the meeting. Ammerman asked the individuals to write down their name and address and to submit any complaints for the prison board in writing. He said the board might want to consider instituting a public comment policy. Other entities allow individuals to contact them in advance to request their addition to the agenda for public comment, he said.
Under personnel, Ammerman reported CO Breanna Hewitt completed basic correctional officer training, Joseph McGovern, Barry Dotts and Deputy Warden Gregory Collins completed an OCAT basic training course, and CO Ronald Peterson is scheduled to attend basic training at Centre County Correctional Facility. Part-time CO Megan Owens submitted her resignation.
Commissioner Joan Robinson McMillen asked the board if individuals who are beginning a work release program could call in advance. Lombardo said individuals taking part in a work release program may set up an application in advance and are encouraged to go to the jail a few days in advance to inquire about it. Collins said the process takes less than a week if the individual has a clean drug screen.
In other business, Ammerman said the warden received a letter from the state Department of Corrections in regard to the receipt of mandated commitment paperwork. The paperwork must be received at least 72 hours prior to commitment, he said. The Department of Corrections has developed a revised information transmittal form and a transfer of health information form. All of the documentation should be forwarded to the appropriate state correctional reception center records office to ensure it accepts custody of the inmate, he said.
The next prison board meeting is Sept. 6 at 1:15 p.m. at the Clearfield County administrative offices building.
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