Efforts to streamline and improve operations at the Bedford County Correctional Facility to increase efficiency and best serve inmate needs were outlined Wednesday at a regular meeting of the Prison Board.
County Treasurer Melissa Cottle was elected vice-chair. Commissioner Deb Baughman currently serves as chair.
Warden Joseph Eichenlaub introduced a vote to approve a policy on offender contact and relationship reporting requirements. He said the intention is to more clearly outline policy and create a more professional work environment. The item was passed.
Eichenlaub said a second policy on lobby procedures, gate clearances, and identification cards, is designed to establish standard rules for those entering through the lobby. This item also passed.
The warden gave an extensive overview of the state of the correctional facility, which currently houses 127 inmates.
Management positions have been restructured to create more distinct mid-level roles. The intent, Eichenlaub said, is increased efficiency and having more management in the building at any given time. A small cost savings has been an added benefit from the overall reorganization effot, Eichenlaub said.
A total of 26 cadets have completed or are attending the academy training to become corrections officers. The jail partners with Centerpoint Safety, Training, and Protection in Everett to run the program.
Keeping training local saves the county on travel costs, including mileage, overnight accommodations and enrollment, Eichenlaub explained. The facility provides a laser range, small gym for defensive tactic instruction, and space for scenario-based training, he added.
Other specialized training dealing with yield theory, drug and alcohol recovery, inmate reentry to society, work life balance, and critical thinking have been helpful and informative, Eichenlaub said.
Eichenlaub also outlined a myriad of treatment initiatives.
An inmate newsletter overseen by Reentry Treatment Specialist Lucy Parkes has proven to be especially popular.
“This has had a positive impact on the inmate population by providing an opportunity for a positive activity in expression and thoughts,” Eichenlaub said.
Efforts are being made on multiple fronts to help ease inmates’ transition out of incarceration, including a birth certificate clinic that helps them get the documentation they will need to get a job after release.
The facility is also in the process of hiring a reentry aftercare specialist who will follow up with former inmates and work with multiple agencies to make the adjustment as positive as possible, Eichenlaub said.
In order to best address inmate needs going forward, a concerted effort is being made to gather statistical analysis to best streamline efforts in the future. This push is in its preliminary stages but Eichenlaub said the data collected over time will help to promote reentry success for the the inmates.
“Change occurs when new options are provided,” Eichenlaub said. “Success comes from presenting new and different opportunities to learn new skills and challenges. We will continue to do our part in offering these opportunities to those in our custody to create success upon return to society.”
A recent inspection turned up no deficiencies, and the full compliance means the facility is exempt from another inspection until 2024.
“Staff are committed to compliance and it was evident throughout the facility,” and the cleanliness was specifically noted in the inspection, Eichenlaub said.
“My success is more my staff and the people around me than it is me,” Eichenlaub concluded.
Employee of the quarter awards were presented to Officer Danny Weyant, Lt. Jennifer Murphy, LPN Joseph Winters, and Maintenance Supervisor Greg Ellifritz.
The next prison board meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. on August 10.