9/30/08  Staffing Meeting

Present:  Jeff Bolger, Anthony Mendonza, Tim Hall, Karen Hetherson, Ron Duval

Bob Cutting, Laurel Donnelly,  Ernie Wessell, John Cunningham, Gina Sousa

Request for Information - Bob Cutting presented Ron Duval with an updated version of the Demand to Bargain on staffing and Information Request on comparable staffing CPO vs CO.  Ron Duval stated that the DOC's position has not changed.  The union is not entitled to this information under 150E and the DOC does not keep the information in the format that you are requesting. ( Subsequent to this meeting the Department has softened their position and is considering supplying the info.)

SBCC - Ron Duval stated that the DOC is in the process of putting 2^nd beds in ½ of the facility (up to 450).  Although the plans are to double bunk, there are no plans at this time as to how.  We will take it as we go along.  As overcrowding increases we will deal with it then.  We need mission changes to happen - CJ becoming a reception facility and there are still plans for OCCC to become a facility that would house many of the mental health cases and MCI C becoming a receiving facility.  SBCC would be the only max facility for classified inmates.  52A's would still go to MCI C.  We are hoping to change legislation  and instead of sentencing to MCI CJ, the courts would sentence to the DOC.  Then we would be able to put 52A's at MCI CJ.  We are not sure that all these initiatives will be approved.  Bob Cutting asked if any had been approved yet.  Ron Duval stated that he believes that only OCCC plan has been ok'd.

As far as SBCC goes, Ron Duval stated that they are looking at 2 units per pod.  There will be 30 additional inmates in a unit, 60 in a pod.  He understands that there will be a need for additional staff to handle classification.

Anthony Mendonza stated that when we start double bunking we will do 1 pod at a time.  There are 4 unit teams, 6 CPOD's 4 have caseloads.  There are 6 CPOC's 4 have units.  1 assigned to secure treatment program.  There are 9 CPO A/Bs.  6 assigned to units, 1 to SMU.  Ron Duval asked how many CPOs he felt he would need to handle the additional inmates.  Mendonza stated at least 2 CPO A/Bs.  Right now the average caseload is 64.  It would be going to the 90's.

Ernie Wessell stated that he is concerned with room compatibility.  The Quay system was designed for unit compatibility not cell compatibility.  Who will handle it ?  Inmates will be living together for 18 hrs per day.  Ron Duval wanted to know who said they would be together for 18 hrs per day? He also stated that we deal with compatibility every day.  There is a process being developed that will involve PREA.    Diane Silva is working on an internal classification procedure to replace Quay.  But these people were double bunked at MCI C and at medium security if they were ever there.  This is not new to them.    Ernie Wessell stated that his concern would be that CPO C's and D's would be part of any action/ issue that occurred because there are no unit managers.  Bob Cutting stated that the compatibility process would be stuck with CPOs so this will be an additional duty.  Ron Duval  stated that we have more CPOs than ever before and we only have 13 vacancies as we speak.  Bob Cutting stated that this was because you are using 1999 FTEs in addition you are cutting positions at OCCC.  The Supt of OCCC stated to me that you were not filling the CPOD vacancy.  Ron Duval stated that right now there are 19 CPOs for the academy.  There are only 13 vacancies.  It is possible that we wouldn't fill all 13 vacancies and would have 8-10 CPOs to alleviate the work that comes with the additional beds.

Anthony Mendoza stated "if we do this we will do it systematically."  We did 30 beds in Michael 2 and 30 in Larry 2.  Did 5 beds in G-2.  We've become a facility of specialized units.  We would do it with the new arrivals.  Ron Duval stated that there are a number of Committees going on.  He is assuming the union is participating.  Anthony Mendonza stated that when you meet with the sub-committee you can make your feelings known.  Ron Duval stated that the DOC is trying to ascertain the number of states that double bunk maximum security inmates.  MGT stated it is more common than not.

MCI CJ - Ron Duval stated that MCI CJ will need additional staff if it becomes a reception center.  MCI C will not need all the staff that they have.  Our hope is that we will come close to breaking even.  Bob Cutting asked what that means.  Would you move people?  Ron Duval stated that they would go by the contract.  Bob Cutting asked if the DOC would ask for volunteers first.  Ron Duval stated that that would be fine but then it would go by seniority.  They would ask people where they want to go.  Bob Cutting asked what the time frame for this would be.  6-9 months?  Ron Duval stated that he would say so because they would need to move the plate shop.  He stated that they are trying to avoid a permanent workforce and will need to do renovations.  Looking at putting the admissions center where the plate shop is.  The DOC has requested capital funding.  A lot has to do with overcrowding.  A Master Study Plan comes out in December.  Anything they recommend is 3-5 yrs away.  Population growth is expected to be 5-11% in the next couple of years.

MGT Report - Ron Duval stated that there is a meeting on 10/8/08 with the Secretary and shortly after that meeting we will release the MGT Report.  Bob Cutting asked when the PDCU staffing report will be out.  Ron Duval stated that he would check with Veronica Madden.

Relief Factor - Bob Cutting stated that the DOC has talked about a relief factor.  How can that happen with more work and old FTEs.  Ron Duval stated that we will have new FTEs.  Bob Cutting asked when we could sit down and really talk about FTEs.  Ron Duval stated that he will talk to Veronica Madden tomorrow.  There are budget constraints that may make it difficult to meet the new FTEs.  Bob Cutting stated, given these duties, might it be time to limit the new duties?  Compas looks like a real problem.  Ron Duval asked what Bob Cutting felt CPOs were doing that is not our job.  Bob Cutting stated that looking at the Demands to Bargain that the union has submitted, there is parole, and reentry we should not be doing because we were promised an upgrade.  Ron Duval stated that reentry is our job.  Bob Cutting stated that we know the chances of getting new bodies is remote so why keep giving us duties?  We have gone a long time without Compas.  Ron Duval stated that the new classification system is a lot better.  Bob Cutting stated that we keep saying our workload is too much and you keep saying it's OK and you give us more.  Ron Duval stated, "put together a list of what you shouldn't be doing."  Bob Cutting stated that that is not the point.  We requested an upgrade and made a list of why we thought it was appropriate and there were 2 pages of duties.  Ron Duval stated that the Union needed to come up with some broad range of duties that we perform that we shouldn't.  Bob Cutting stated that we will look at this.  But the DOC is reducing staff and adding more duties.  Ron Duval stated that Compas will be used at the front door as part of initial classification.  If you have specific issues with Compas, he will schedule a meeting with Diane Silva.  Ron Duval stated that the DOC has shared our concerns with Parole.  They are not as receptive as we are and now they are in a state of flux.  Bob Cutting stated that they appointed an Acting Chair yesterday - Mark Conrad.  Ron Duval stated that the union would get their meeting with Parole.  Laurel Donnelly stated that we are not saying that you did not hear us but we are trying to do a job and Parole is less than cooperative and it has become very frustrating.  Ron Duval stated that the DOC knew that this move (parole duties) was not going to be a good move for the DOC but everything falls under Public Safety.  Even if the Parole duties get moved back to Parole, it will still be a Public Safety Concern for the Secretary.  Laurel Donnelly stated that if you don't talk to the person who does the job, you never get a good handle on what the issues are.  It's good to have a sub committee but you need to talk to the person doing the job. 

OCCC, MCI S - Ron Duval stated that we had originally talked about another 50 beds at OCCC min.  This will happen but it is not in the immediate future.  Next there will be another 50 beds at MCI S minimum.  We are going to add a 3^rd Deputy and the minimum will remain part of the medium.  Not a free standing minimum.  If things get really bad a year from now we may have to put another 50-100 beds in the mod units but that is not our plan now.  We need that space for programming and offices.  Laurel Donnelly asked if the CPOC that MCI S just lost would be replaced.  Karen Hetherson stated that they need to get bodies in the academy first.  Bob Cutting asked if it looked like this was the last academy class for a while.  Ron Duval stated that if he had to hazard a guess, he'd say yes but the DOC's stance is that it is cheaper to have an academy than to hire OT.