[0:00] see why this is important.

[0:08] » Good morning and welcome, excuse me, to the Burks County Jail System Prison

[0:12] Board meeting uh today, April 8th. It is 9:00 a.m. and we will call the meeting

[0:17] to order. Yes, sir. We ask our uh COO Kevin to

[0:25] please read the public comment notice. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Public comment

[0:29] will be accepted in person through the Q&A function. Please include your first

[0:32] name, last name, and municipality for all comments. Any comments without name

[0:36] and municipality would not be considered. Each citizen must submit one

[0:40] comment. Comment length is dictated by limitations of the platform being used.

[0:44] Team's Q&A. Inperson comments will be accepted first, followed by comments

[0:49] submitted virtually. The meeting comment period is limited to a total of 30

[0:52] minutes, including both in-person and virtual comments. This time period may

[0:56] be extended at the discretion of the board. Please be concise. Comments that

[1:01] are germanine to county business will be read during the meeting and should not

[1:04] be considered to be interactive dialogue with the board. County solicitor will be

[1:08] the final arbiter of whether a comment is germanine and should be read and

[1:12] response to public comment will be done at the discretion of the board.

[1:18] » Okay. Thank you very much. We'll now move to the approval of the minutes. Are

[1:23] there any changes or additions to the minutes of the March 11 meeting?

[1:28] If none, the agenda stands approved at I'm sorry, the uh minutes stand approved

[1:33] as presented. We'll now move to public comment on agenda items. And we have

[1:39] public comment. None in person on agenda items. Do you have anything online?

[1:45] Nothing online. We'll now move to the presentation today on the Berts County

[1:49] criminal justice overview. and I'm going to introduce our COO Kevin Barnhart who

[1:55] will give a brief introduction about what we're going to be discussing today

[1:58] as well as present the different speakers that we have. Kevin,

[2:02] » thank you Commissioner Rivera and thank you to the prison board for allowing us

[2:05] to have this presentation. It's the first of its kind and we hope that we're

[2:09] going to be doing this on an annual basis uh possibly every April. We felt

[2:14] it was important for the board uh as well as the public to understand a

[2:19] little bit more about our providers and our programs at the jail and how these

[2:23] efforts are making a change in our community. Uh I want a special thanks to

[2:28] Deputy Warden Smith for pulling together all this information over a period of

[2:32] months and also putting together the uh PowerPoint presentation. uh leadership

[2:37] of the jail can be commended for being very uh proactive in criminal justice

[2:42] reform as well as our county leadership team. And just a few other things to

[2:47] know uh is that housekeeping as you make your presentation please just ask for

[2:52] next slide because is will be uh making the slide changes and this is being

[2:57] recorded uh because we have one of our commissioners commissioner is

[3:02] unavailable and we want to also ask the board to consider putting this out on

[3:06] the county website for folks to uh view the slideshow uh that could not be in

[3:11] attendance today. So, uh, you want to consider at the end

[3:15] of the meeting. Uh, without further ado, our first presenter will be our, uh,

[3:20] warden, Jeffrey Smith, who will kick off what's being done within the walls of

[3:25] the jail and then move into our other presenters of programs and

[3:31] uh, probably hold your questions till the end. I think would be a better flow

[3:34] of the of the presentations. Thank you.

[3:39] » Morning. >> Morning. Not on. Uh sound.

[3:45] » Now, >> good morning. We're excited for this

[3:48] opportunity to reflect on the progress we made in 2025 to better support the

[3:52] individuals in our care. In 2025, our focus went beyond custody. We

[3:56] strengthened our commitment to rehabilitation, re-entry, and the

[4:00] overall well-being. Through expanded programming, stronger partnerships

[4:05] with the community agencies, and continued emphasis on mental health,

[4:08] education, and accountability, we've created more opportunities for

[4:11] incarcerated individuals to succeed, both during their time in their in the

[4:15] facility and after the release. The following highlights represent not just

[4:19] accomplishments, but meaningful steps towards a more effective and humane

[4:23] system. Uh, next slide, please. Over

[4:29] the past several years, the jail's average daily population has shown a

[4:32] consistent and meaningful decline. While the CO 19 pandemic of 2020 initially

[4:37] accelerated this trend through emergency measures and reduced court activity,

[4:42] what's most significant is what happened afterward. Through strong collaboration

[4:46] with the district attorney's office, the courts, adult probation, and our

[4:50] partnered agencies, we've been able to sustain these lower population levels.

[4:54] This reflects a more coordinated and strategic approach to case processing,

[4:59] supervision, and alternative options, demonstrating that systemwide

[5:03] cooperation can safely reduce jail populations while maintaining public

[5:07] safety. Next slide, please.

[5:18] So, just to provide a brief overview of some of the programs and services that

[5:22] the treatment department specifically offers at the jail. Um, we offer a

[5:27] variety of group and individual counseling services. Um, you can see a a

[5:32] bulleted list up there. I'm not going to read them all to you, but we we really

[5:35] uh try to focus on evidence-based models uh specifically cognitive cognitive

[5:40] behavioral therapy um which we know is the most effective method uh with

[5:45] individuals who are uh within incarcerated setting um to target

[5:50] criminogenic needs and help reduce recidivism. Um so we have cognitive

[5:55] programming. We also have seeking safety which is a trauma focused group. We know

[6:00] a lot of individuals who come into an incarcerated setting have um experienced

[6:04] trauma in their lives. So, we offer that as a voluntary experience for them. Um

[6:08] they can sign up on their housing units and uh we have counselors that are

[6:12] trained to run that evidence-based model. Um in 2025, we held over,00

[6:21] uh sessions um of group combined group and individual counseling. And then on

[6:26] the right we have a list of other basic services that we offer within the

[6:31] treatment department. Um classification and orientation is a a staple within any

[6:37] jail setting. Uh we need to identify individuals who are coming into the

[6:41] facility and determine what kind of risk and need they have. Um and we need to

[6:46] also orient them to the rules and the the the um programming and the the

[6:51] services that are available to them. So the treatment department takes on that

[6:55] responsibility. Um and in 2025 we completed over 6,600

[7:03] classifications. Um which is a is a significant number. Um we also do a lot

[7:08] of risk screening and assessments. Um a lot of referrals. the treatment

[7:13] department's responsible for reviewing everybody that comes in, not just

[7:17] determining what risk and need they have, but then what programs we have and

[7:21] and referring them to those programs. Um, and then we also oversee programs

[7:26] like earn time, um, coordinating all the volunteers that come in, reviewing their

[7:30] applications, uh, and and things like that. So, just a brief overview of some

[7:35] of the things that the treatment department within the jail oversees. So,

[7:40] um there's a there's a lot more within

[7:44] that, but I just wanted to give you a a brief picture of uh of what we what we

[7:50] focus on daytoday.

[7:56] Next slide, please. >> So, in addition to our treatment

[8:01] programs, we've uh expanded on a few other items. We've increased our out of

[8:04] cell time. We've expanded opportunities for individuals to spend more time

[8:08] outside the cells promoting movement engagement and overall well-being. We've

[8:13] enhanced fitness and recreation options. We've invested in new equipment

[8:17] including pull-up dip stations, press and pull machines, and we added

[8:21] recreational activities like cornhole to encourage encourage physical activity

[8:25] and positive use of time. We've also maintained our free communication

[8:29] opportunities for the individuals. We've continued providing one free phone call

[8:32] per month and two free video calls per week. This helps individuals stay

[8:37] connected with the family and their support systems. We've we've expanded

[8:41] inerson visitation, increased access to inerson visits, strengthening family

[8:45] connections, and supporting successful re-entry outcomes.

[8:50] Next slide, please.

[9:05] Um, excuse. So, for community re-entry programs in 2025, we expanded

[9:13] our access to community medication. Um, our PEND dot we we started a PENDOT ID

[9:19] program. We expanded our medical assistance application process and we

[9:25] also expanded a program that we had we already had running in the jail. Um but

[9:30] we access we expanded access to um that program in the community. So in 2024 we

[9:37] had started a partnership in the community with a pharmacy for

[9:41] individuals who are released to have access to prescription medication 14 a

[9:45] 14-day supply which was free of charge to them. Unfortunately, that partnership

[9:50] um h was terminated um midyear 2025 and we had to work to develop a new

[9:57] partnership uh which we were able to do towards the end of the year in 2025 um

[10:01] which we were very excited to do. We partnered with um Tower Health Reading

[10:06] Hospital um and their ambulatory pharmacy. So, we're able to offer a

[10:10] again a free 14-day supply of medication to everyone who's released from the

[10:15] jail. Um, and the ambulatory pharmacy is open 7 days a week. Um, and has

[10:23] regular hours. So, any at any point when someone's released any day of the week,

[10:27] they're able to go to the pharmacy and pick up their prescription. Um, moving

[10:32] on to the PEN ID program. That was a new program.

[10:35] » I hate to interrupt, but it it kind of explained that's especially important

[10:39] relative to mental health. Oh, >> that we had situations where people

[10:45] didn't get have medication with them, didn't have access to it, and were in

[10:49] trouble within days. >> Yeah. Prior to that, we were we were

[10:52] offering a three-day supply of medication in hand when people were

[10:56] leaving the jail. Um, and individuals with mental health, I mean, the the

[10:59] weight times to see a psychiatrist in the community were months sometimes. Um,

[11:05] so people were really struggling and and and that's a a significant contributing

[11:09] factor to stabilization in the community when someone's leaving. Um so for us to

[11:14] be able to offer a longer supply of medication um and access within the

[11:20] community within the first day that they're leaving um was was really

[11:25] important and really critical. So when we lost that contract in 24 in 25, it

[11:29] was really important for us to find a new partner in the community. Um, and it

[11:33] was really important for us to identify a partner that was available seven days

[11:38] a week and had evening hours. Um, so that it was something that was

[11:43] accessible because we our releases are anytime during the day or evening. So it

[11:48] was really important that it was a partner that had that kind of same

[11:51] availability. Um, the PEN ID program was started in

[11:56] 2025. We started that program in March. Um, and that program, for anyone who

[12:02] isn't aware, um, allows individuals who need,

[12:07] um, an ID or a driver's license to make an application with PENDOT, and we free

[12:11] of charge to them, um, submit that application. Pendot checks their record

[12:16] and sees what they're eligible for and then provides them either a product um,

[12:20] that's mailed to the jail or if, let's say, like you or I, your, you know, your

[12:24] your ID or your driver's license is expired, you need a camera card. you

[12:28] need to um show up to a a a a driver's license center and have their have your

[12:33] picture taken again, they'll they'll send a voucher um so that that person

[12:37] once they're released can go to a driver's license center and have their

[12:40] picture taken in a new ID um or driver's licenses printed. So uh we started that

[12:46] pro that program in 2025 um March so not a full year but in 2025 we processed 549

[12:55] applications and we we provided a total of 409 IDs driver's license or vouchers

[13:04] for access to that in the community. Um which is a pretty significant number and

[13:09] that that's missing a couple of months within a year. Um moving on to medical

[13:15] assistance application expansion. Um medical assistance is again another key

[13:21] part of re-entry. Having access to uh medical benefits in the community

[13:27] when you are released from the in from an institution is a critical component

[13:33] of getting not just your medical needs met but your mental health needs met. Um

[13:37] being able to make appointments and have them in covered covered by insurance.

[13:41] Um, so we had a process in place where some

[13:46] individuals were getting applications done depending on the program that were

[13:49] that they were in, but we we had identified a way to expand that in a

[13:54] year prior for individuals who were sentenced because we knew when they were

[13:59] getting out. So it was easy to identify their release date. And in order to

[14:03] submit the application, we need to know their release date. That's how the the

[14:07] process and the system is built within the the state system. Um, in 2025, we we

[14:14] really targeted and prioritized finding a way to process applications for

[14:21] individuals who were released um without without warning. So, individuals who

[14:26] maybe posted bail or went to court and got time served. And we really didn't

[14:30] have that advanced notice and planning opportunity. Um so we identified a we we

[14:36] identified a method and at the end of 2025 we put a process in place so that

[14:40] individuals who are released without um extensive notice um we were able to

[14:47] submit their applications the day after they're released from our facility. Um

[14:53] and that that process has been that it's been going well. Um we have our case

[14:57] workers doing that checking our releases the day prior. Um, and we have case

[15:01] workers in the jail seven days a week. So, that's an effective method for us.

[15:06] Um, and the last the last item on our list is uh the reality check program in

[15:11] the community. Um, again, reality check was is a peer-led

[15:18] uh program that's facilitated um by an individual who has lived

[15:22] experience. Um, and he focuses on uh important re-entry concepts for

[15:30] individuals who are getting ready to leave or recently incarcerated and, you

[15:37] know, struggling with criminogenic needs and and things that are driving some

[15:41] criminal behavior. Um, and he really tries to help uplift them and and help

[15:46] them focus on what changes they need to make in order to make differences in

[15:51] their lives in order to not commit new crimes. Um, and we had that individual's

[15:57] name is Charles Jackson. He was coming into our jail for about a year running

[16:00] that program inside and we really saw um a warm reception from our population.

[16:08] the the individuals that were going to that group um really responded well um

[16:13] and showed a lot of change and new new concepts in their own um

[16:22] verbalizations and understandings after his group was done. And so we we had

[16:27] some conversation with Charles and we decided that this would be a good

[16:30] opportunity postrelease. Um, so we worked out a plan for him to be able to

[16:34] offer that group um in the community for up to a year for any individual who was

[16:39] released from Burks County Jail. Uh, so we fund that program. Uh, Charles is

[16:44] currently running two groups a week um out in the community. Um, one at the

[16:50] YMCA and one at the Opaque Center at Alveria here in the city. Um and

[16:56] those are completely free to anyone who is released from the Burks County Jail

[17:01] within the last year. Um and there the attendance is um it's increasing. It's

[17:08] going up. Um and getting we're trying to get the word out and and encourage

[17:12] people to uh to use that support. Um he's seeing individuals who met him in

[17:19] the met him in the jail and are now finding him in the community. Um, so

[17:23] we're seeing really good results from that. But re-entry wise in 2025, those

[17:28] are the those are the strides that we made.

[17:35] Next slide, please.

[17:40] » Uh, we streng we strengthened our support through community partnerships.

[17:44] Uh through partnership with the Burks County Library System, we provide

[17:48] children visiting incarcerated loved ones with the opportunity to select a

[17:52] free book from the vending machine. It helps ease the stress of visitation

[17:56] while promoting literacy and posit positive engagement. In addition, our

[18:00] collaboration with Northstar initiatives allowed us to train our staff to

[18:03] recognize the warning signs of human trafficking and connect with supervis

[18:07] with survivors and critical resources enhancing both awareness and our ability

[18:12] to provide meaningful support. Also want to add that we did just have a visit

[18:16] from the state librarian this week to uh see the success of our program with the

[18:21] book vending machine. Was very pleased. Next slide, please.

[18:27] » What's new in 2026? We're expanding our wellness and personal growth programs.

[18:32] We introduced yoga as a wellness initiative promoting stress reduction,

[18:36] mindfulness, and overall mental health for individuals in our care. the Common

[18:41] Grounds Art Program. We partnered with the local artists to launch a mural

[18:44] project throughout our facility. The designs are created by our by our

[18:49] individuals in our custody right now, fostering creativity, ownership in a

[18:53] more positive environment. We enhanced our staff training with autism

[18:57] awareness, provided specialized training through assert to better equip the staff

[19:02] in recognizing and appropriately responding to individuals with autism.

[19:07] We also had the opportunity to celebrate educational achievement. We began

[19:10] formally recognizing GED accomplishments, reinforcing the value

[19:14] of education and encouraging continued personal growth, development, and

[19:18] success. And lastly, the puppy program. Do I need to say anything else really?

[19:25] Who doesn't love puppies? Uh we are partnered with United

[19:30] Disability Services who provides uh service dogs for those with

[19:34] disabilities. We will be taking puppies along um in the early stages in the

[19:40] welping stage to get them trained and ready for uh the vetting process. We're

[19:47] also uh going to be vetting the dogs through a training process where the

[19:51] older ones will come in our custody and the individual handlers will be some of

[19:55] our uh our residents in our in our custody. They'll be providing them the

[20:00] training on a weekly basis and they will um get them ready. They will it's a

[20:07] great opportunity to provide something back to the community, a service dog.

[20:11] And that is all we have for you today. Thank you, jail leadership. Uh we'll now

[20:16] move to Primeare Medical and discuss medical mental health services at the

[20:20] jail.

[20:29] Good morning. My name is Tom Weber. I'm CEO and one of the three owners of Prime

[20:33] Care Medical. On behalf of Brent Babington, Todd Haskins, u we appreciate

[20:38] this opportunity uh to highlight what we've done uh here in Burks County in

[20:43] 2025. Um we submitted correspondence at the end of February. I hope everyone had

[20:49] an opportunity to review that. If you have not, I urge you to do so. It goes

[20:53] into some greater detail about the specific delivery system items covered.

[20:58] Uh I will not be repeating that today. We have provided a brief uh PowerPoint

[21:03] presentation that I'll go over. Uh that will touch upon essentially I believe

[21:08] five components. One just the healthcare delivery system itself, the staffing. Uh

[21:14] we'll go into the medical care. uh than the mental health care uh the MAT

[21:19] program that we have here in Burks County and finally uh some of the

[21:24] cost-saving measures that uh we implement on behalf of Burks County uh

[21:28] and its taxpayers. Um if I could have my PowerPoint, please.

[21:32] » Next slide. >> Next slide. Sorry.

[21:35] » That's okay. >> Next slide.

[21:40] We're good. Thank you. Uh Prime Care Medical uh we're celebrating our 40th

[21:45] year of existence. Uh all we do is correctional health care. Uh and by

[21:50] healthcare we mean the full gambit of medical, mental health, dental services.

[21:55] Uh we're celebrating 40th year. As I said, uh this year is our 37th year of

[22:00] partnership with uh Burks County. Uh with the loss of Dolphin County last

[22:04] year, Burks County is now our longest standing um client. Uh we appreciate uh

[22:10] the relationship, the opportunity and the trust uh placed in us to take care

[22:15] of those incarcerated in jail system. Uh we operate in six states now.

[22:20] Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, Florida, and as of last

[22:24] Wednesday, Ohio. As I said, just focusing on county and juvenile health

[22:28] centers. We care for about 23,000 people a day, uh all incarcerated. So, uh quite

[22:35] a bit of experience. uh a lot of that experience earned here in Burks County

[22:39] uh matured over the years. Uh certainly delivery system now is quite different

[22:45] than it was 37 years ago. Uh never would we have been seeing treating MAT uh the

[22:52] full gamut of mental health services, transgender care, HIV, you name it. If

[22:57] it's happening in the community, it's happening in your jail system. And we're

[23:01] charged with the responsibility of providing the care for those

[23:03] individuals. Next slide.

[23:08] Uh we are uh a 24hour a day, 7 days a week, 365day operation. Uh we're not a

[23:17] part-time clinic. We're there around the clock every day. We provide a little

[23:22] over 45 full-time equivalent physicians per week. That equates out to about

[23:27] 95,000 hours of health care services provided um in Burks County per the

[23:34] contract. by why I say per the contract we are contracted to provide 95,000

[23:39] hours a year. Um I'm pleased to say uh given the acuity and the seriousness

[23:44] with which we take our patient care last year we provided just less than 100,000

[23:49] hours uh over 4,000 hours more than contracted for. Uh and that's because

[23:55] our patients needed it. We felt the need and we wanted to make sure that they

[23:59] were as safe as possible while they were in our care in your custody. uh that

[24:03] gives the rundown by uh breakdown of practice area uh between medical, mental

[24:09] health, MAT administration. Uh so you see um we are essentially running a

[24:15] small hospital in your facility without hospital equipment. Uh we certainly

[24:20] don't have an ICU and the like uh but we we do have the staff to take care of our

[24:25] patients uh inhouse for the vast majority of their medical and mental

[24:30] health needs. Next slide please. This is a snapshot of the appointments

[24:37] that we've create within a year. Uh it goes through you'll see for 2020 I I've

[24:44] given historic perspective so you can think see how trends are. Um as the

[24:48] warden mentioned uh the population has consistently gone down. However, the

[24:53] health care needs of those within the facility has not reduced

[24:57] correspondingly. Uh and unfortunately uh the reason for that is you know some of

[25:02] the social economic pressures we have in our community. Uh it is unfortunately

[25:07] our sickest our poorest uh individuals who remain incarcerated while those who

[25:12] have have opportunities um to get out. It's not true across the board. There

[25:17] have certainly been strides made uh for diversionary programs to touch the most

[25:21] needy. Uh but as a trend um our our patients have remained the ones that

[25:26] we've cared for before even when we had a larger population. Those that have the

[25:31] largest needs have remained even though the population has been reduced. I

[25:35] wanted to highlight there that we have 418,000 appointments uh created for

[25:41] 2025. 181,000 of those were completed. A large

[25:46] number. Uh but for those of you closely uh looking at the slide, you may note

[25:50] that the uh the appointments deleted actually slightly exceed the

[25:54] appointments uh completed. And you may have questions as to how why that is

[25:59] occurring. Um simply uh we operate all of our facilities consistent with the

[26:05] standards created by the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare,

[26:08] the NCC, which was an offshoot of the American Medical Societ Association in

[26:14] the early 1970s. When the AMA uh recognized that correctional health care

[26:19] had become almost its own specialty like cardiology,

[26:24] uh they decided that there needed to be standards to govern best practices. um

[26:30] in in correctional healthcare and as a company we follow those standards in all

[26:36] of our facilities. Burks County recognizes the importance of those

[26:39] standards and has elected to follow them correspondingly. It's it's a it's a

[26:45] whole facility standard. Uh so we are accredited through the NCC. Some of our

[26:50] counties don't want or don't feel the need to have that accreditation and they

[26:55] won't participate. But we still operate all of our uh delivery system consistent

[27:00] with those standards. Those standards require certain things. Every individual

[27:04] has an intake done as soon as practical upon entering the facility. It is our

[27:10] personal standard uh company standard that that be done within 4 hours of

[27:15] entering the facility. Everyone has to have a physical within 14 days of being

[27:19] there. If someone is there for a year, they have to have a repeat physical. So,

[27:24] as to ensure our compliance with those, we have built into our electronic

[27:28] medical set uh record certain things that triggers that make sure we don't

[27:32] miss those. So, when you come in for an intake, your annual physical is going to

[27:37] be automatically scheduled for 11 months out to make sure that we complete it

[27:42] prior to that year. Obviously, most are thankfully most of our patients aren't

[27:46] with us for a full year. So, when they get released, that scheduled appointment

[27:52] gets deleted. So, it would go in that category of deleted appointments. In

[27:57] addition to the NCCHC standards, we've also implemented certain care standards

[28:02] that we've put in place um voluntarily to try and ensure uh the safety of our

[28:08] patients. One of those by example is anyone who comes in and flags for

[28:12] substance abuse is going to be automatically placed on a detox

[28:16] protocol. Uh a lot of individuals will wait to see if someone goes through

[28:21] withdrawal and then they'll start treating the withdrawal symptoms. It's

[28:25] our opinion that it's better to treat it before it's likely to happen. Uh so we

[28:30] will start it uh immediately and typically those uh protocols will last a

[28:35] period of 7 to 10 days. So again, if someone comes in, we believe they're

[28:39] going to be going through withdrawal, we'll initiate a detox for them that

[28:43] will say last seven days. They get bailed out after 2 days. The next eight

[28:48] days of appointments are automatically deleted. So that's why if you look at

[28:51] that graph complete uh closely and you say, well, it's great they did 181,000

[28:57] appointments, but why did they delete 195 of them or 195,000 of them? That is

[29:02] why. Next slide, please. mental health. Uh it it is finally been

[29:10] recognized and finally within the last five years uh that the Commonwealth's

[29:14] mental health treatments uh system is failing. Uh there was an initiative in

[29:20] the Commonwealth going back now almost 40 years that there was a perception

[29:24] that having state mental health poss areas was inhumane because it was

[29:30] inhumane to take someone who is suffering from mental health problems in

[29:34] Reading and move them to the Harrisburg State Hospital away from their family.

[29:38] So the decision was made to close down those regional hospitals and have a more

[29:42] focal focalized attention on mental health in comma. The problem, as

[29:47] Harrisburg will often do, is when they find a source of money, they they freed

[29:51] up all the money from the state hospitals. When they find a source of

[29:54] money, it doesn't go where it was initially intended to do or go. We all

[30:00] allowed gambling so that our property taxes would go down. We have a lot of

[30:04] casinos around. Property taxes have not gone down. We closed the state mental h

[30:08] this is me my personal opinions out here uh but we closed the state hospital

[30:14] saying okay we'll we'll put the funding in the local communities so that they

[30:17] can be treated closer to home. That funding never materialized. The

[30:22] community struggle and the patients suffer. So de facto your your county

[30:27] prisons bec or jails became uh the mental health treaters uh in the

[30:32] community. uh and that fell upon us and and and the jail system to treat these

[30:36] individuals. So, we track uh every individual who comes in, we give them

[30:41] what's called a mental health stability rating scale. It's a scale A, B, C, and

[30:45] D's. Um it was developed as part of an ACLU lawsuit against the uh Pennsylvania

[30:51] Department of Corrections and how they dealt with mental health people as a way

[30:54] to identify people. Uh it has ramifications in terms of placing people

[30:59] in segregation. certain things you have to do. A's and B's. A's have no history

[31:04] of uh mental health issues. B's have none in the last five years. C's have

[31:09] active mental health issues or at least in the last two years or receiving

[31:12] psychotropic medications. And your D's um are uh those who have a serious

[31:18] mental illness uh schizophrenia, bipolar or the like. So we focus a lot of our

[31:24] attention. Everyone has the availability of a mental health clinician. All you

[31:29] have to do, you know, they are screened at the beginning. They also have a

[31:32] 14-day mental health assessment done. Uh but if your A's have any concerns, uh

[31:38] there there's the sick call system so that they can have access to a mental

[31:41] health clinician. The C's and D's are automatically actively followed and

[31:45] visited uh on a u routine basis periodically. Um here's the graphic for

[31:52] your C's. I am pleased to report that Burks Countyy's jail system uh is one of

[31:57] the few in our footprint of 86 facilities that has seen a somewhat

[32:02] steady decline uh in in your C's and your D's. It it's not completely

[32:08] significant. There's still a great presence of mental health uh needs in in

[32:13] the facility, but it has been on the decline. Uh I would like to think uh

[32:17] part of that is as the warden had mentioned uh a lot of collaboration with

[32:22] the DA's office the courts of late uh to see see if there can be other avenues of

[32:28] placing someone somewhere else other than getting in the system. Uh because

[32:33] if someone's incarcerated with a mental health illness, they're likely to stay

[32:37] three to four times longer than someone who does not have mental health. Um they

[32:41] deteriorate in the facility. They have a hard time participating in their

[32:45] criminal system. So just working through the system is delayed merely as a side

[32:49] effect of their mental health system. We have numerous weekly meetings with jail

[32:54] administration on a number of topics. One of them is this diversion areas. Is

[32:58] there a better place for these individuals? We have releases signed by

[33:02] our patients at their intake that enable us to share what would otherwise be

[33:06] confidential information with jail administration so that we can go through

[33:10] and see is someone else worthy. Uh a lot of times you will hear people say you

[33:15] know they they'll have a mental health break. you know, they get stable in jail

[33:19] taking their medications because it's readily available. And as the

[33:22] commissioner pointed out, one of the big concern is out in the community if they

[33:26] can't get back on Medicaid or they can't get an appointment, they don't have the

[33:29] medications. When they stop taking their medications, they will deteriorate and

[33:33] then they act out in a certain way consistent with another symptom or side

[33:37] effect of their mental illness and it causes a break in the law uh and and

[33:42] then they find their way back in. So what we try and really do is identify

[33:46] does someone have criminality or is this a a symptom of their illness? If it's a

[33:50] symptom of their illness and they're safe in the community, can we get them a

[33:54] different placement so they're not with us? Uh you're you're can you next slide

[33:59] please?

[34:05] And this is uh a similar slide uh for your category DS, your smis or actively

[34:11] suicidal. Again, we're seeing a a decrease over the last couple of years.

[34:16] Uh so these are certainly positive trends uh in in the Burks County jail

[34:21] system. Next slide, please.

[34:28] As I started the presentation, I mentioned the breath of our uh staff uh

[34:34] and but I also stated we're not an hospital. We're not ICU. We can't

[34:39] perform orthopedic surgery. So, some of our patients certainly present uh with

[34:44] medical needs uh that are greater than what can be provided in a correctional

[34:49] setting. And this slide provides uh the hospital days uh that patients have been

[34:55] in uh for 2025 as well as the outside transports that we had uh complete.

[35:00] Those house outside transports could be for an emergency need uh or they could

[35:05] be for routine type treatment. all of our pregnant uh females and we had 23 of

[35:10] them in the facility for 2025. We make sure that they have an appointment with

[35:14] an outside OBGYn. Although we have physicians who have

[35:18] gone through training and know how to care for pregnant females, they are not

[35:23] OBGYNS. We will start them on their prenatal vitamins. We'll help them along

[35:27] the way, but we want to make sure that they are followed by a specialist. So

[35:31] all of those 23 went out for regular OB/GYN visits depending on where they

[35:36] were in the terms of their pregnancy. Um this slide also uh highlights as I

[35:42] mentioned you know when the warden mentioned there's a decline in

[35:45] population unfortunately the needs of our patient in terms of the higher

[35:50] acuity have not gone down but in fact have risen over the last several years.

[35:56] Next slide please.

[36:03] As part of the intake process, uh we screen people. Uh it's about a 35 to 45

[36:09] minute intake process to try and get as complete uh of a history of all our

[36:14] patients that we can. Uh we truly believe that the intake is is the

[36:20] foundation. We we want to start planning their discharge from the intake

[36:24] information. Everyone has a blood glucose level taken. Uh the number of

[36:30] individuals that we diagnosed with diabetes that they were unaware of is

[36:35] truly amazing. The number of people, our patients, you know, are not the best

[36:39] carers of their own health in the community. They're not making the best

[36:43] decisions often times. That's why they may end up incarcerated. So they're not

[36:47] aware that they're walking around with a dangerous diabetic condition. We've

[36:51] learned the hard way that if unchecked, diabetes can manifest itself and turn

[36:55] into a very serious serious condition relatively quickly if they're allowed to

[37:00] go untreated in the back halls of a jail. So, we test everyone. Uh we do the

[37:07] same thing for all types of abuse, alcohol, substances, heroin, um meth, uh

[37:14] you name it, we have a check to see if it's on it. Um, and this graph shows

[37:19] over the last several years what we're seeing in terms of the people that come

[37:22] in and screen positive for some type of substance abuse. Other than a spike uh

[37:28] shortly postcoid uh which again was consistent with the community um we've

[37:33] been you've been experiencing about a third or 30% of your population comes in

[37:39] uh suffering some from some sort of substance abuse. Next slide please.

[37:48] MAT program. As I said, uh, correctional health care has changed significantly

[37:53] over the last 40 years, 37 here in in U Burks County. MAT programming is

[38:00] certainly the most significant change of late. Um, historically, all uh, MAT that

[38:08] would be provided in a facility was methadone for pregnant females who came

[38:14] in uh, addicted uh, to an opioid. Uh, and that was provided more to care for

[38:20] the baby uh, than it was actually the mother or their substance abuse. It was

[38:24] to try and ensure the safety of the fetus. Um, that has changed. Uh I can

[38:30] tell you here in Burks County, ironically, it's probably 20 years ago

[38:34] uh Christine Zadler and myself uh appeared before the court uh in a matter

[38:38] where we had a young individual who was brought in who was on a bupinorphine uh

[38:43] product. I believe it was Suboxone at the time. He had become addicted to uh

[38:47] heroin following a sports injury in high school. Uh and his um family pleaded

[38:53] with the court to allow him to maintain that treatment while in the facility.

[38:58] And at the time, consistent with the the school of thought, uh we went to court

[39:04] on behalf of the jail and advocated not to allow him to have it in it. Um

[39:08] because it was considered contraband in a jail. uh it's dangerous and it's still

[39:12] a dangerous product in the in the uh jail environment, one that has to be

[39:17] handled with great care. But back then um the the thought process was it was a

[39:22] greater risk to the patient because they could be vulnerable to uh influence from

[39:27] other individuals in the facility who'd want to steal their medications for

[39:31] their own use. uh or it could be used as uh a form of uh uh money or uh the like

[39:40] in jail to to barter. So, we successfully kept it out as contraband

[39:45] uh consistent with the school of thought that we'd be able to maintain his

[39:49] sobriety uh because he could white knuckle it while he was in here. He

[39:52] wouldn't have access to the drug so he not overdose and then when he got out he

[39:56] could start it. Uh I tell that story just to give historical pre uh uh

[40:02] significance or or point in time not uh because I'm overly proud of the success

[40:07] we had because now uh I go around to our facilities and champion champion MAT

[40:12] programs. science has advanced in the last 20 years. The recognition uh once

[40:17] the DSM5 recognized substance you abuse as a disease uh the thought of it being

[40:23] a weakness as opposed to an illness has has changed and we've seen uh over the

[40:29] last eight years that we've been providing it we've seen numbers and

[40:32] numbers of success stories. So it has expanded here in Burks County and we

[40:37] perform uh we provide every form uh of MAT treatment available to individuals.

[40:43] Bupinorphine, Vivitrol, methadone, all of them uh including the long acting u

[40:49] injections. uh we've been able to monitor it. Uh and

[40:54] although some individuals who are on the program may find themselves

[40:58] reincarcerated, I'm pleased to say about 68% of those that come back to us have

[41:03] maintained their program in the community. So even though they've done

[41:08] something to run a foul, it could be a parole violation, something else, it's

[41:12] not related to narcotics. So we're starting to see a break in that vicious

[41:17] cycle uh of round and round. So the MAT program has been successful. Next slide

[41:24] please.

[41:29] And this is an overview of the just the numbers of our MAT program. Uh I know

[41:35] there were time limitations so I won't go every one of them over every one of

[41:39] them but I'll just highlight the the most significant I believe. Uh and that

[41:42] is last year we treated 1566 people in the MAT program in 2025. That number

[41:49] will be I believe significantly higher. Um next year we inducted 159 which means

[41:56] we introduced 159 new people to MAT while they were in here. Most of them

[42:02] are in a form of oral bupinor orphans. Next and final substantive slide please.

[42:12] We as a company fully recognize that providing this level of care is one

[42:16] necessary uh for the health and safety of our patients, but two also extremely

[42:21] expensive to the taxpayers of Burks County and and that is not lost on us.

[42:26] Uh so we try as much as possible to provide that care as efficiently as

[42:32] possible uh so that the taxpayers of Burks County are getting the greatest

[42:37] return for their taxpayer dollar that they can in terms of correctional

[42:40] healthcare. Um this is the most concrete way for us to display uh the level in

[42:48] which we monitor the funds that are entrusted to us or the care that is

[42:52] entrusted to us. As I mentioned before, there are outside medical needs. We saw

[42:56] the number of h outside hospital stays. Last year, Burks County or 2025, Burks

[43:02] County received over $5.4 million in claims for outside care rendered. Uh we

[43:10] on behalf of the county process all those claims. Uh we are the largest

[43:16] provider in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Uh number of years ago,

[43:20] Pennsylvania passed a law that if you receive care while incarcerated, if it's

[43:25] outpatient care, it's build at the Medicare rate. If it's inpatient care,

[43:29] it's built at the medic Medicaid rate. Um there is an Oregon association in

[43:34] Pennsylvania that handles those claims for most counties. We've worked a deal

[43:39] with them that we can do it ourselves. That saves Burks County a participation

[43:44] fee um because they they allow them to come through us. We very aggressively

[43:49] scrub those claims. For any of you that have received a claim from a hospital in

[43:53] your house, you will see from your insurance uh explanation of benefits or

[43:57] EOB, how the bill will come in from the hospital at $70,000 and your insurance

[44:02] company will pay something and then they'll ask you to pay something, but

[44:05] they're both smaller than that $70,000. So, of that 5.49 49 million that Burks

[44:10] County received, we were able to reduce those claims to $545,000.

[44:16] So, we saved 90% of the claims received uh that that Burks County. So, uh we

[44:23] like to highlight that because I I think it epitomizes the mindset that we have

[44:27] that we want to partner with the county um and provide the best care possible

[44:32] for the incarcerated individuals, but at an expense that the taxpayers can can

[44:37] afford. Uh, I believe I ran a little longer than the allotted time, but I

[44:42] will afford any questions if if there are any. I also heard that this may be

[44:46] posted. If the board receives any specific questions on the medical

[44:50] information that is out in the public, I would invite the opportunity uh to send

[44:54] it on to us. We'll be happy to respond to anyone's questions. Thank you for

[44:58] your time. >> Thank you. Very informative. Thank you.

[45:02] We now have uh Kathy Null, our executive director of Council on Chemical Abuse,

[45:06] joining us virtually to discuss substance use disorder services through

[45:10] the Council on Chemical Abuse. >> Morning Kathy.

[45:14] » Good morning, Kevin. Um thank you all for having for inviting the Council on

[45:19] Chemical Abuse to be here today to talk about services. Um

[45:25] next slide. So today um I want to talk about

[45:31] what we provide in terms of assessment and counseling in terms of jail

[45:37] diversion into treatment and um although the gentleman from prime care uh really

[45:43] covered MAT very very well. I will talk um a little bit about MAT as well. Um, I

[45:50] think maybe some of you right now might be saying to yourselves, "Hold on a

[45:54] minute. Um, does KOKA actually provide services in the jail? I don't actually

[45:59] think I've ever seen any KOKA staff in the jail." And you would be right. We

[46:06] don't operationalize um we don't operationalize our services.

[46:12] What we are doing is we contract for services through our local provider

[46:17] network and then we monitor those services as well. Um next slide, next

[46:22] slide please. So by way of background um KOKA is the

[46:28] single county authority or you'll hear the terms um SCA for drug and alcohol

[46:33] programs in Burks County. Um, since the act of 63 in 1972, which established the

[46:40] whole SEA system, um, the Burks County Commissioners have contracted with the

[46:47] Council on Chemical Abuse to manage, um, drug and alcohol services and drug and

[46:52] alcohol funds. Um, we have our regulations through uh, the Department

[46:58] of Drug and Alcohol Programs. And again, every single um county in Pennsylvania

[47:04] is represented by an FCA and that's, you know, due to the act of of 63 and um

[47:11] counties choose how they want to um implement the SEA functions. Many many

[47:19] um seas are part of county government. Again, um our commissioners have decided

[47:25] to contract with the council on chemical abuse. So for the past over 50 years, we

[47:30] have been managing the drug and alcohol funds um for for uh Burks County. Um

[47:37] next slide, please. Um, one of the things that that I I really want to say

[47:43] is that Burks County has a lengthy history of

[47:48] providing high quality state-of-the-art services to um, incarcerated individuals

[47:55] um, decades long. And what we have right now um that KOKA is supporting through

[48:02] funding and monitoring in our prison um are we have early intake and assessment

[48:09] for drug and alcohol. Um we provide for counseling and MAT as we heard medicated

[48:16] assisted treatment. Um we have a diversion program that supports recovery

[48:22] uh and engages people in treatment immediately. And then um our case

[48:27] managers also make sure that we have community continuation, ongoing

[48:32] treatment and stabilization. And we've heard that theme several times as as

[48:37] people have spoken how important it is that um people be connected to services

[48:43] uh in the community as soon as possible. Next slide, please.

[48:51] So um one of the things that I talked about is Koka contracts for services. So

[48:56] we contract with Burks Counseling Center and I do believe that they are here

[49:00] today. So I am not going to take their thunder and um and and allow them to to

[49:06] talk about the strides that um they've made in counseling. But it is Koka who

[49:11] um contracts for and monitors that service. Um and BCC does some assessment

[49:18] for us. They do outpatient counseling. They do early re early recovery support

[49:24] groups and some um some pre-treatment services as well. Uh and I'll let BCC

[49:32] talk about this and the way they've kind of are looking at their services uh at

[49:38] this time, but there's just some pre-treatment information there for you.

[49:42] uh BCC will talk more about numbers and and and actual treatment, but

[49:47] pre-treatment meaning that we know that this um that there are individuals who

[49:52] have a drug or alcohol problem or at are high risk and for whatever reason um the

[49:59] referral to treatment in the prison, their treatment has not started yet in

[50:02] the prison. And so these pre-treatment groups help keep people connected, help

[50:08] start kind of the motivation process for them to um actually take part in in a

[50:13] treatment program. Um and also we coordinate the BCC coordinates very

[50:20] closely um with MAT. Well, I one of the conversations really important and vital

[50:26] conversations that Koka has had with BCC this fiscal year is um the importance of

[50:36] that of of being able to move people uh into treatment as soon as possible in

[50:43] the jail. And so one of the things that we were seeing and of course they were

[50:49] seeing is that that the waiting list for treatment were continuing to rise. So we

[50:55] were able to respond to that um to that situation and to provide them some more

[51:02] funding so that they could have more people available to do counseling. Um

[51:07] and you'll see I I added their um budget in for this fiscal year. Uh

[51:15] what you're seeing there is BCC's budget for outpatient um treatment assessment

[51:22] and early recovery support groups at the prison. Next slide, please.

[51:29] Um I want to talk about the what we call the medical assistance jail

[51:35] diversion program. Um, Deputy Warden Stephanie Smith has

[51:41] started to talk a little bit about how the jail was expanding

[51:45] um, med access to medical assistance. This program started more than 10 year

[51:52] 10 years ago um, through the Department of um, human services and the Department

[51:59] of Public Welfare and uh, the SEA and the county offices. um they were able to

[52:07] to make policy that allowed individuals to apply for medical assistance before

[52:15] they left the jail. Our whole goal is to have their medical assistance, we always

[52:22] use the word the term turned on the second they step out of the prison. And

[52:28] the whole purpose of this is to coordinate their residential treatment.

[52:32] Um so what happens is that um a person who is in need of drug and alcohol

[52:38] treatment um has the opportunity to be released from prison, picked up by the

[52:45] treatment provider and brought to treatment. That way they're not

[52:49] flounding around in the community trying to figure out, well, you know, how do I

[52:52] get there and what do I do? And they go doortodoor. Um and so during um I think

[53:00] I have 25 26 here you can see um our referrals, our assessments um and our

[53:06] admissions. Um one of the things that we're particularly

[53:11] uh excited about is our successes in terms

[53:16] of clients being able to complete the

[53:20] treatment program is is relatively high. 77%

[53:25] of of people successfully complete their um their residential treatment. Um so

[53:34] that's something that we continually um point to as a success. The other piece

[53:39] of this is that um if we were not able to help people to

[53:46] apply for medical assistance and if all of these people would come to the SCA

[53:52] come come to KOKA and say hey you know we need treatment service we would never

[53:57] ever be able to afford it. um medical assistance has paid out, you know,

[54:03] millions of dollars over the years for um people to receive the appropriate

[54:08] drug and alcohol treatment services. Um next slide, please.

[54:14] So, the gentleman, and I'm really sorry I didn't I didn't write down his name.

[54:18] I'm really sorry. The gentleman from um Prime Care started to talk about Oh, he

[54:23] talked a lot about med uh Medicaid assistant treatment home. One other

[54:28] thing I wanted to point out about the MAJL project was all we have to all we

[54:33] pay for for that is we support a uh evaluator case manager. So you're

[54:39] talking approximately $70,000 a year um to be able to send people to to

[54:47] treatment. Just wanted to make make sure that I I pointed out how cost effective

[54:51] that is. Um but anyway, back to uh Medicaid assisted treatment. Um

[54:59] it it's been uh with the uh inception of the opioid settlement funds that we've

[55:07] really been able to partner with the county and with the prison to talk about

[55:13] and to implement um comprehensive medical uh Medicaid assisted treatment

[55:20] services. So, um, we pay for Prime Care's, um, medical

[55:30] time as well as the medication except for my

[55:35] » Your average 5D player thinks dungeons are boring as hell.

[55:38] » Uh, Koka has nothing to do with uh the methadone program there. The jail has a

[55:44] a different partner and a different way of making sure that that happens. We

[55:48] don't we don't do the methadone. Uh we do however pay for the bupinorphine viv

[55:54] vivitrol supplicate and again and all of the medical um appointments that are

[56:01] associated with them. Um and then I have some activity there and again we are

[56:06] like uh the gentleman from prime care said we're really really happy with how

[56:10] this program um is being utilized in the jail. And my numbers may be a little bit

[56:18] different from uh prime care's numbers only because I think we might have

[56:22] counted different time periods. Um so Medicaid assisted treatment in the jail

[56:28] uh that that that is budget for 2526 as you can see is over $800,000. And again,

[56:37] without opioid settlement funds, we would not have been able to uh

[56:44] support financially this project the way we can now. This uh and and just a note,

[56:51] um the MAT at the jail is a county and a Cocoa priority for uh continued opioid

[56:59] settlement funding. Um next slide, please.

[57:04] Um, so again, why is this important? And we know that it reduces overdose risk.

[57:11] Um, we improve community engagement. Um, and supporting accounting ability. Um,

[57:18] and we know that this is the way that that this has been implemented in our

[57:24] jail is recognized as a model for other county jails. And I I I do believe I've

[57:30] never gone, but I do believe um the the team has been invited to provide

[57:35] consultations to other uh jails and jurisdictions. Uh again, this is a a a

[57:42] program that really wraps itself around the client to ensure that while they're

[57:48] in the prison, they're getting their medication, they're getting their treat,

[57:51] their cognitive treatment, and that they are totally connected in the community

[57:58] for their next step. Um next slide, please.

[58:04] So um again this is about MAT and one of the things that uh I I wanted to make uh

[58:12] the prison board aware of is that we are going to we are starting a formal

[58:19] evaluation of MAT. We we have been um again, Deputy Warden Smith has been

[58:26] working with us to be able to kind of plan this evaluation. Um and what we

[58:32] want to do, again, we're not going to be able to answer for you next April when

[58:35] we come again. We're not going to be able to tell you how many people did we

[58:39] cure today, but we can at least begin to talk about um postrelease residi

[58:45] recidivism um treatment continuation in our community. And we hope to also be

[58:52] able to um interview our participants in in these programs. And so we can talk a

[58:58] little bit about their perspectives and um and then and then anything that we

[59:04] see that we can is there a gap in services? Is there something that we can

[59:08] be doing um differently? So uh in addition to our monitoring that we do,

[59:16] we are going to continue to um evaluate as well. Next slide, please.

[59:23] Um, again, some some stats why they matter. 63% of incarcerated individuals

[59:30] um meet criteria for substance use disorder. Um, we know that as people are

[59:36] leaving jails and other institutions, they're they have an elevated um

[59:42] overdose risk and we know that MAT reduces that relapse and recidivism.

[59:49] Next slide, please. Um,

[59:54] so looking ahead, we want to continue to support um postrelease care. Um, again,

[1:00:04] we're going to enhance our outcomes tracking. Uh again looking at we want to

[1:00:10] really be able to have an understanding of the number of people that are able to

[1:00:15] connect with their services outside of of the prison as they're leaving and see

[1:00:20] if there's anything in there that are we missing anything. uh continuing with our

[1:00:27] collaboration uh with we we we Koka meets regularly with uh

[1:00:33] our providers in the jail as well as with uh

[1:00:39] uh mostly our communication is with deputy warden Stephanie Smith just to to

[1:00:44] make sure that what we are providing is still what is needed to to be able to

[1:00:51] respond to any problems Like I said before, we we knew that there was a a

[1:00:56] waiting list and we had a response to that and we want to make sure that we um

[1:01:03] always have adequate support for all of the uh and capacity for all the services

[1:01:11] that we're providing. Um next slide please.

[1:01:16] So again, um we believe that the funding of these

[1:01:23] services at the prison, they are a priority. Not only do we believe that,

[1:01:28] that's the way that um we do our work. They are a priority. We've had over

[1:01:32] 1,800 assessments, over four almost 500, if not more, um MAT enrollments, 344

[1:01:41] diversion admissions into treatment. um uh and and I did point out the 77%

[1:01:49] diversion completion rate and a nationally recognized um MAT model.

[1:01:55] Again, we are committed to continue this uh with the prison as

[1:02:01] we have for decades uh providing state-of-the-art high quality treatment

[1:02:08] um at Burks County Prison. Um and that's what I have for you this morning. Thank

[1:02:14] you. >> Thank you very much.

[1:02:19] » Do a thing other than Okay. >> Okay.

[1:02:24] » Next is Bur Townson Center, >> Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment

[1:02:28] Service.

[1:02:35] » Good morning everyone. My name is Bonnie Tbe. I'm the clinic director at Burks

[1:02:39] Counseling Center. Burks Counseling Center is a certified community

[1:02:43] behavioral health center on the national level and an integrated community

[1:02:47] wellness center within the state of Pennsylvania. You've already heard a lot

[1:02:52] about what we're doing in the jail, so I'm just going to add a couple of

[1:02:55] snippets to that, but then I'm going to share a story.

[1:02:59] So, we've been in partnership with the Burks County Jail system and Koka to

[1:03:02] provide the SUD services within the jail for over 30 years. And what that looks

[1:03:07] like is we're assessing new inmates in the jail to see if they are in need of

[1:03:11] our services. We're then providing their services as a DDP licensed site using

[1:03:18] evidence-based practices. Um we're also providing early recovery supports

[1:03:23] typically run by a peer specialist. Um and then we have now bridged those

[1:03:31] services to our outpatient. So within our jail program, we have a case

[1:03:36] manager, we have a peer. They are able to meet the individuals while they're

[1:03:42] incarcerated in the jail, be participatory in their treatment, and

[1:03:46] then assist them in getting to our outpatient to ensure that that first

[1:03:50] week postrelease, they've got the supports in place, they've got access to

[1:03:55] what they need. What that looks like is on the day of release, the case manager

[1:04:00] and or the peer pick the individual up from the jail, take them to the pharmacy

[1:04:05] to pick up their medications, bring them to BCC so that they can have their first

[1:04:10] outpatient appointment, no intake necessary because they're already in our

[1:04:14] services within the jail. We take them to probation to do their initial

[1:04:18] check-in if that is necessary, and we make sure that they get home. So that's

[1:04:23] the basics, but really what I want to share with you today is a story. For the

[1:04:27] purpose of this story, we're going to call this gentleman Joe. Joe was

[1:04:31] incarcerated within the Burks County Jail system in 2024. He was there for

[1:04:37] about 16 months when he was able to finally be accepted into treatment

[1:04:42] court. I don't know when he applied, so that's not a judgment. Um, so he was

[1:04:47] there for 16 months. While he was there for 16 months, he did participate and

[1:04:51] complete our services within the jail system. Once he was accepted to

[1:04:56] treatment court, he was able to then get into rehab to enhance the treatment that

[1:05:00] he'd already been receiving. Went from rehab directly to our continued supports

[1:05:05] in our outpatient program. This gentleman was a success both in and

[1:05:11] out of the jail. So while in the jail he actively participated in our services

[1:05:17] and then even once he completed volunteered to be a peer support within

[1:05:21] those groups so that he could provide what he had learned and enhanced in his

[1:05:26] treatment to the others that are joining the groups. He also actively

[1:05:29] participated in our early recovery supports.

[1:05:34] He had struggled for years many attempts at getting sober and none had worked. So

[1:05:39] he was throwing himself full tilt into this um opportunity that he had to this

[1:05:45] day. So he entered treatment court um finished rehab and came back to our

[1:05:52] outpatient program in August of 2025. He has since completed his group treatment

[1:05:58] but continues to attend individual sessions and meet with the psychiatrist

[1:06:02] to continue to address his mental health.

[1:06:05] As of today, he continues to maintain his sobriety, is compliant with

[1:06:11] treatment court, is currently on phase three of treatment court, um has gone

[1:06:16] from living at the YMCA to owning his own apartment. He is now working

[1:06:20] full-time and doing everything that he can to maintain that sobriety.

[1:06:27] » Good story. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:06:29] » Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Uh, next is the uh Burkstown

[1:06:34] Intermediate Unit education services provided at our jail.

[1:06:44] » Good morning. >> Morning.

[1:06:46] » Uh, and thank you for the opportunity to provide an overview of the education

[1:06:49] services at the Burks County Jail. Brooks County Interview has been

[1:06:55] providing educational programming in the facility since 1997 with GED programming

[1:07:01] being handed over to the BCIU in 2018. Our goal at the BCIU is to ensure that

[1:07:06] all individuals both youth and adults have access to meaningful educational

[1:07:10] opportunities that support their academic progress, workforce readiness,

[1:07:15] and successful reintegration. Next slide, please.

[1:07:23] The program provides a comprehensive range of services including high school

[1:07:26] diploma completion, GED preparation and testing within the jail facility, adult

[1:07:32] basic education, ESL services, and a full special education services.

[1:07:37] Instruction is aligned with students home school district for diploma

[1:07:41] programming or school valley school district as our host to ensure credits

[1:07:45] transfer and students remain on track towards graduation. We also have a

[1:07:50] strong internal structure including certified teachers and an educational

[1:07:54] specialist who coordinates enrollment, transcripts, IEP compliance, and

[1:07:58] everything GED related. Next slide, please.

[1:08:04] A key point to highlight is the strength and compliance of our program.

[1:08:10] A 2024 review by the Pennsylvania Department of Education confirmed that

[1:08:14] the program meets all requirement special education indicators, including

[1:08:19] IEP implementation, documentation, and confidentiality practices. This

[1:08:24] demonstrates that even with a correctional setting, students are

[1:08:27] receiving services that meet both federal and state standards. Next slide,

[1:08:32] please.

[1:08:41] One moment that stands out from this year was graduation. As you had heard

[1:08:45] earlier, seeing students succeed that previously struggled significantly in

[1:08:51] traditional school settings was not only a success but a monumental moment for us

[1:08:55] in education. For those individuals, this may have been the first time ever

[1:09:01] that they were publicly recognized for their academic accomplishments. There's

[1:09:05] a sense of pride not just from the students but from the staff and their

[1:09:09] peers. They really underscored the importance of their work and it was a

[1:09:14] reminder that education in this setting is not just about academics. It's about

[1:09:18] restoring their confidence, dignity and sense of possibility at any age. Next

[1:09:23] slide please.

[1:09:27] You can look at the numbers.

[1:09:32] You can look at the numbers. Historically,

[1:09:35] um we have served uh we have had served 871 GED students and 148 diploma

[1:09:43] students over our tenure providing education at the Burks County Jail.

[1:09:48] Looking more broadly, the program continues to demonstrate strong

[1:09:52] participation and impact. Last year alone, 52 GED sections were passed. Um,

[1:09:58] as you may know, there are multiple sections within the GED test. Students

[1:10:02] can take a a test in each section and then take the entire test completion to

[1:10:08] have the full GED. That way, if they for some reason would leave the jail early,

[1:10:13] uh, they have had sections passed and do not have to repeat the passing of those

[1:10:17] sections at their next location. We also had nine full GEDs earned.

[1:10:23] Historically, as noted, we have served over 870 GED students and 148 diploma

[1:10:29] students. These outcomes support increased literacy, critical attainment,

[1:10:34] and the improvement of engagement within the facility, all linked to better

[1:10:38] re-entry outcomes. Next slide, please.

[1:10:44] It's also important to recognize the impact of CO 19 on the program during

[1:10:48] that time. Testing restrictions significantly

[1:10:52] limited our credential completion despite continued participation. But

[1:10:56] even so, the program continued to serve hundreds of individuals annually and

[1:11:01] maintained uh we maintained access to education during that very challenging

[1:11:05] period. As you can see, our um numbers continued to rise during that time

[1:11:10] regardless.

[1:11:13] Next slide, please.

[1:11:18] this school year uh highlighting current we are currently serving 25 diploma

[1:11:23] students and 79 GED students as of this month we've administered 40 GED tests

[1:11:30] and 28 sectional past so far uh one full GED earned to date the data is a little

[1:11:36] bit different between diploma programming and GED because the the

[1:11:40] years are different so in our GED uh we run on a calendar year and then our data

[1:11:45] for our diploma program runs on a traditional school year. So, you will

[1:11:49] see that there's there are some differences there.

[1:11:53] Again, one of our most meaningful highlights this year was hosting the

[1:11:56] first graduation ceremony with the help of Deputy Warden Smith, which allowed us

[1:12:00] to formally recognize student achievement in a way that these

[1:12:04] individuals potentially have not experienced in the past. Next slide,

[1:12:08] please.

[1:12:16] In summary, um, oh, sorry. Uh, while the diploma numbers are smaller, this, um,

[1:12:23] smaller number accounts for the age currently within the Burks County jail

[1:12:28] system. So, in the past, and we had started in 1997 with programming, uh,

[1:12:33] the jail housed students who were younger than 18 years old. And so when

[1:12:39] that transition happened, our numbers of course shrank within the the diploma

[1:12:43] program piece. But while the diploma numbers are stronger, they are smaller.

[1:12:47] They they represent significant individual achievement. Many of these

[1:12:51] students require credit recovery, special education supports, and

[1:12:55] individualized planning, which our staff take on. Each diploma earned represents

[1:13:00] a meaningful step towards long-term stability and opportunity for the

[1:13:04] student, and they have their own diploma to leave with.

[1:13:08] Next slide please.

[1:13:14] In summary, the program is well established, compliant, high quality,

[1:13:18] participation remains strong, students are making measurable academic progress,

[1:13:23] and the program plays a critical role in supporting re-entry. Next slide, please.

[1:13:32] Um, again highlighting our first ceremony.

[1:13:35] Next slide.

[1:13:39] You can see that we have expanded completion rates for both GED and

[1:13:43] diploma programming. We have an honored achievement within

[1:13:47] the state as we continue to surpass the special education regulations. Our

[1:13:52] curriculum is career focused and it aligns with those career initiatives. We

[1:13:56] currently have new career initiatives in place to start for the new school year

[1:14:01] and it upholds standards. So we currently follow all PTE regulations and

[1:14:06] are monitored regularly with success. Next slide please.

[1:14:12] Most importantly behind every number in the data for education is an individual

[1:14:18] gaining skills, confidence and a pathway forward often for the first time. And we

[1:14:23] thank you so much that you allow us to be part of that growth.

[1:14:28] Happy to take any questions but thank you.

[1:14:32] Thank you very much. >> Thank you.

[1:14:34] » Thank you. Appreciate that. Next up is connections work on uh

[1:14:41] re-entry pre-trial forensic diversion and other support services.

[1:14:50] » Good morning. Um thanks for the opportunity to be here today. I am Peggy

[1:14:55] Kersner. I'm one of the co-executive directors at Connections Work. Uh,

[1:15:00] Connections Work is a nonprofit organization. We celebrated our 50th

[1:15:06] anniversary last year, so we're very excited about that. Our primary target

[1:15:11] population is individuals in the justice system, and we provide services in a

[1:15:18] wide variety of ways. uh really running the the full spectrum of that system

[1:15:23] from diversion programs which you heard a little bit about but I'll talk more

[1:15:27] about um through pre-trial we have some re-entry programming

[1:15:33] and also programming um we operate the pardon project of Burks County so that's

[1:15:39] sort of at the far end of somebody's involvement in the system

[1:15:43] the main um amount of the work that we do is in re-entry programming And we

[1:15:50] serve a lot of individuals. All told, our programs and my wa I'm my phone is

[1:15:54] ringing in my watch and by the time I figure out how to turn it down, I'm

[1:15:57] sorry if you can hear that. I'll just put my hand back here. Um we serve over

[1:16:02] 2,000 people every year. Um in the jail and in the community, we have a large

[1:16:07] presence in the community. In our re-entry workforce development programs,

[1:16:11] we serve over 1,200 people. So, just to kind of set the scene and the scope, um,

[1:16:17] and keep in mind as I talk about our programming at the Burks County Jail, we

[1:16:21] have, you know, services available for individuals when they're back out into

[1:16:25] the community. So, we really appreciate the opportunity. Um, our partnership

[1:16:30] with the county is amazing. Our partnership for years with the Burks

[1:16:34] County Jail is great because we would not be able to do, uh, next slide,

[1:16:38] please. the um long list of programs that we do in the jail if if we just

[1:16:44] really weren't working with the same goals in mind, which is really, you

[1:16:48] know, the best way to do re-entry programming is to start planning for

[1:16:51] that person's release the day that they are incarcerated. So, um with that

[1:16:57] mindset, um we operate our program. So, the re I'll just say a little bit about

[1:17:02] each of them. Um our website is burksconnections.org.

[1:17:07] You can if you're or if you're interested or connectionswork.org my god

[1:17:11] that's our old name. Um if you're interested in more information you can

[1:17:15] look there. So our re-entry resource center is a program that we had

[1:17:19] initially developed for the community um and actually during COVID and we had

[1:17:25] always provide in addition to re-entry workforce development for folks coming

[1:17:30] into our office. We know that perhaps needing a job was not their only um

[1:17:35] barrier and their only need. So we had always been very tuned into that and

[1:17:40] through a case managed approach were able to identify other barriers and

[1:17:44] needs that might include ID, transportation,

[1:17:48] housing and all those sorts of things. Uh during COVID we realized that

[1:17:53] people's needs are growing and services were rapidly declining in the community.

[1:17:59] So, we were able to obtain some funding to kind of provide extra needs or if

[1:18:04] someone was coming out of the the prison and perhaps was not ready to look for a

[1:18:09] job or didn't need employment at that point, um we would be able to just sort

[1:18:14] of assess them um look at where they are and and what can we help them obtain to

[1:18:18] achieve stability. Um, and I believe it was Deputy Bordon Smith who was always

[1:18:23] looking out for uh more services for the folks uh for the inmates who came to us

[1:18:29] and said, "Gosh, this would be great if you could start this while people are at

[1:18:32] jail. Why wait if we don't have to until they get out into the community to start

[1:18:37] kind of helping them put those pieces together. So, we were able to obtain a

[1:18:43] grant um that allowed us to expand that program. And so for the last several

[1:18:48] years, we've actually had the ability to have staff up at the jail to kind of

[1:18:54] start working with people on putting some of those pieces back together to

[1:18:58] have some things in place so when they do their eventual return to the

[1:19:02] community. And it's typically um we we don't work too far in the distance for

[1:19:07] that return that you know they have some of those things in place and then when

[1:19:10] they get out they can come back into our office and finish up what needs to be

[1:19:14] done while they're what's easier to be done while they're in the community. Our

[1:19:18] working toward change program is a re-entry program that began in 2010. It

[1:19:25] was our first uh real foray into a evidence-based re-entry and workforce

[1:19:31] development program. So, we since 2010, we've been working with uh case managers

[1:19:38] up at the jail, serving a segment of the population, working very intensively

[1:19:44] with them to prepare them for their release into the community. Um, and the

[1:19:50] best practice in re-entry programming is that you have a warm handoff and a

[1:19:56] continuum of care. So those folks that we work with in the jail can get out and

[1:20:00] the very that day or the very next day can come into our office which is right

[1:20:04] across the street and begin working with their same case manager. And once out in

[1:20:10] the community, we're able to focus a little bit more on employment

[1:20:13] connections to employers and that sort of thing. Our mothers and father's voice

[1:20:19] program um is actually a a an initiative that is celebrating its 30th anniversary

[1:20:26] this year. So for 30 years we have been providing a service to not just the

[1:20:32] inmates in the jail but to their families and children as well. Um, every

[1:20:37] week we send staff and volunteers into the jail for um, recordings of books for

[1:20:45] inmates who have young children um, who would like to maintain a connection. One

[1:20:51] of the things that we find is that a lot of times for a variety of reasons,

[1:20:57] children left behind in the community do not always get to maintain maintain

[1:21:01] contact with the incarcerated parent. Could be a lack of transportation. It

[1:21:06] could be that the caregiver doesn't feel that they want the child exposed to the

[1:21:10] jail setting or for whatever reason just, you know, they're they're not able

[1:21:14] to make that happen. Um the inmates can sign up to read a book. They are

[1:21:20] recorded doing so and then we take that back to the to our office. Um the book

[1:21:27] and a YouTube link and that has changed over the years as you might expect. At

[1:21:32] one time we were sending cassette tapes I believe. Um but we now provide a

[1:21:37] YouTube link and if they would like a CD burned we can do that. So this is a way

[1:21:42] to um really help maintain that connection. We have a lot of families

[1:21:48] who reach out to us and express a lot of gratitude for their children being able

[1:21:54] to hear their mothers or father's voice every night. And we have lots of stories

[1:21:59] about kids who want who insist on watching that. So if you can imagine um

[1:22:03] the stress for both parent and child in that situation. So you know we think it

[1:22:09] helps um maintain that connection. So when the parent is back out and they're

[1:22:13] going to reunite with the family um it's not quite so foreign to them. Promotes

[1:22:19] literacy. The book uh vending machine is awesome and much in that same light. Um

[1:22:25] the kids are exposed to different kinds of books. So just some scope for that

[1:22:30] program. Last year we had 447 readings by parents and they were

[1:22:37] delivered to 944 kids in the community. So times that by 30 give or take you

[1:22:44] know some changes every year. So we that's really impacted a lot of families

[1:22:47] and we appreciate the jail um you know providing the room for that to happen

[1:22:52] and the opportunity for the volunteers and the training for the volunteers come

[1:22:56] in because you know doing things in a jail we know is a little it's not just

[1:23:00] it's like no other place in the world to walk into a building and try to provide

[1:23:04] a service. So, we know that um it takes some extra effort and we're so grateful

[1:23:09] that they are willing to to do so because they understand the importance

[1:23:12] of the programs. Our pre-trial services program serves individuals um typically

[1:23:20] early on um after arrest. We uh interview folks post arrest and we have

[1:23:27] an evidence-based assessment where we're looking at the potential for pre-trial

[1:23:33] release for individuals. We provide that information to the courts. Um we we some

[1:23:40] of those interviews are done before the person reaches the jail. That is not

[1:23:44] always possible. Uh so we have staff at the jail uh seven days a week conducting

[1:23:50] in-person interviews. That program operates 24 hours a day. Last year we

[1:23:55] conducted 1463 interviews at the jail. So we are

[1:24:01] looking to see if an individual might be able to be safely um released into the

[1:24:08] community on bail. That program also provides um a service

[1:24:13] of pre-trial jail population management where we're monthly kind of looking at

[1:24:18] that population at the jail so we can look for both maybe individual

[1:24:23] situations if someone's fell through the cracks or some more kind of systemwide

[1:24:28] things and trends um to look at how many people are sitting in the jail on a true

[1:24:34] pre-trial basis meaning that they don't have any other reason why they're there.

[1:24:39] Um the average I believe for last year was around 32% at any given time. Um our

[1:24:46] forensic diversion program, diversion is a word you heard a lot about this

[1:24:50] morning. Super important. We have a forensic diversion program that seeks to

[1:24:57] divert appropriate individuals who have a severe mental illness and who are are

[1:25:04] arrested or may be arrested for um non-violent offenses. So individuals who

[1:25:12] it is very very obvious that is their mental health condition is has resulted

[1:25:17] in their involvement with the system. We actually the program actually works a

[1:25:21] lot with local police departments and is often um called prior to the arrest an

[1:25:27] arrest being made to see if the diversion might happen at that point. Um

[1:25:32] if the folks are arrested and end up in jail, we can interview the individuals

[1:25:39] work with uh crime care staff, the DA, the public defender, jail staff and look

[1:25:46] at that person's mental health history and you know other factors to determine

[1:25:51] if there is an appropriate diversion for them, if they have somewhere stable to

[1:25:56] live. uh get them back into treatment, onto medication if that's necessary, um

[1:26:02] and divert them out of the system because as has been said many times,

[1:26:05] jail is not the place for those folks who are suffering from mental illness.

[1:26:09] So, that's a super important program and hopefully part of those numbers that

[1:26:15] Prime Care saw trending down, I'd like to think that um that program in

[1:26:20] partnership with with so many other entities and that is the uh county's

[1:26:24] mental health and developmental disabilities office who um funds that

[1:26:29] program uh through us. So, we also help out with the Burks County Jail Voting

[1:26:36] Project in Pennsylvania. Um there are individuals who are eligible to vote um

[1:26:44] who might be incarcerated and we um provide the ballots for that to happen

[1:26:51] to the jail. Um and you heard the jail talk about the jail ID project which is

[1:26:58] absolutely awesome. Um that is probably our number one thing that we find as a

[1:27:04] really like concrete barrier for folks um who are freshly out of jail or

[1:27:09] sometimes who've been out for a while. You can barely do anything without an

[1:27:14] ID. Um getting in homeless shelters certainly getting employment. Um that

[1:27:20] has been a huge huge help to our organization to the folks that we serve

[1:27:24] for the jail to to take on that project. So, one of the things that we do, as you

[1:27:29] might imagine, their numbers are great for that first year. So, you know, in

[1:27:34] the timing is everything department, sometimes in the justice system, you

[1:27:37] just don't know when someone might be released from jail. So, if somebody's

[1:27:41] sort of midway through that process and hasn't received their paperwork yet, um,

[1:27:45] and they get released, our office serves as the hub for where that paperwork will

[1:27:51] go so that folks can come in there to pick it up, which is a perfect

[1:27:56] partnership because we also have workforce development and all kinds of

[1:28:00] great programming there. So, if they come in to get that ID paperwork, we can

[1:28:05] kind of offer up our other services and hopefully help them in a lot of ways.

[1:28:10] So happy also to answer questions either now or if somebody wants to reach out

[1:28:16] afterwards. >> Thank you.

[1:28:18] » Thank you very much. >> Next is reality check project peer

[1:28:22] support and re-entry skills. Good morning.

[1:28:33] » Good morning. >> So I don't have a PowerPoint

[1:28:37] presentation. kind of just bought an outline.

[1:28:41] Um, but let me introduce myself. My name is

[1:28:45] Charles Jackson and I'm the uh founder of the organization Reality Check

[1:28:50] Project. Uh, to talk about the work that we've

[1:28:55] done in the prison in 2025. Uh we went in and we were focused on

[1:29:01] emotional intelligence, stress and anger management, life

[1:29:06] purpose development, uh communication skills, and financial

[1:29:10] literacy. We also had the returning citizens.

[1:29:16] We had them uh we had them make vision boards

[1:29:23] which allowed them to really go inside their brain and think about what they

[1:29:26] wanted to trade their life for. Um so that was one of the one of the

[1:29:32] other subjects that we did in 2025.

[1:29:38] Moving into 2026,

[1:29:47] our focus now is we're we're trying to get individuals to focus on identity

[1:29:54] versus ego. What what I found is that a lot of people,

[1:30:00] they know what their name is, but they don't know who they are or who

[1:30:05] they're trying to become. So, we're focused on identity versus

[1:30:10] ego. Also, when you get out of prison, you're

[1:30:15] in survival mode. And

[1:30:19] we're teaching them that survival mode is not failure.

[1:30:24] uh it's necessary, but we're trying to get them to stabilize

[1:30:29] and survival mode so that they can move into purpose mode

[1:30:35] because we believe once you're stabilized, you can start focusing on

[1:30:39] what your purpose is, why you're here. And from purpose mode,

[1:30:46] uh we think the the next step would be leadership mode. So, we're trying to get

[1:30:50] them to focus on survival mode, purpose mode, leadership mode. And then the last

[1:30:57] thing um is a class called 3 seconds. Um it took me 3 seconds to pull a gun

[1:31:06] out that cost a man his life. We're trying to get people to make better

[1:31:11] decisions and widen that 3 seconds. Um because the crime don't start the night

[1:31:19] that it happens. It starts before that. There's conditioning that goes into it.

[1:31:25] It's ego. It's environment which causes reaction.

[1:31:35] And then the decision is predictable but it's also preventable.

[1:31:45] That's all I have for you guys this morning. Thank you. Thank you for your

[1:31:48] time. Thank you so much. Appreciate your service. Uh this is uh the cover of my

[1:31:53] new book which is titled What If? And this is the framework to where we're

[1:31:59] moving in 2026. And on the cover, there's a man looking

[1:32:04] in the mirror. And in that mirror

[1:32:08] there's a a chain with a bear trap because

[1:32:14] I believe there's a trap out there that um as a as society we have become we

[1:32:21] have become um desensitized to violence

[1:32:26] and you know I'm trying to expose that trap.

[1:32:31] I'm trying to get people to see that trap before it bites you like it bit me.

[1:32:39] Thank you. Thank you very much. Our final presenter is Transformative

[1:32:43] Solutions Network uh Chapel Services. Good morning.

[1:32:55] » Good morning. >> You are an enduring group this morning.

[1:33:00] Thank you so much. It's an honor to be part of the treatment services at the

[1:33:04] jail. My name is Michael Caler. I serve as the CEO of Transformative Solutions

[1:33:08] Network. We've been providing chapency services within the jail for decades,

[1:33:13] maybe the longest standing partner in the group today. I'm just going to put

[1:33:18] that out there. We're proud to be there. Um, in the Burks County Jail, our

[1:33:24] chaplain serve steadily, bringing dignity dignity to everyone they

[1:33:28] encounter. You could simply describe chapency as a ministry of presence.

[1:33:33] Uh we answer requests for religion-based study materials, distribute thousands of

[1:33:38] sacred tests each year, and maintain a chapel library where the materials are

[1:33:43] donated by the wider faith community so men and women can practice uh the faith

[1:33:48] that they profess. Um

[1:33:52] we do this in a number of ways. This is done through communication forms. Um,

[1:33:56] those that are incarcerated can also visit uh the chapel library when they're

[1:34:01] engaging other services within the chapel and uh check out books. We're not

[1:34:07] like a regular library. Well, the regular libraries don't have late fees

[1:34:10] anymore either. So, some of the books don't get returned. Can you believe

[1:34:14] that? But we don't really worry about that.

[1:34:18] We're glad that we can provide those materials. I remember particularly

[1:34:22] during COVID uh fulfilling written request forms because the the movement

[1:34:26] around the jail was was extremely limited. Uh and those those forms served

[1:34:31] as a lifeline. I remember looking at forms uh and you know those that are in

[1:34:37] jail they don't understand that our library is not 200,000 volumes you know

[1:34:41] so they're like hey do you have this book or that book? And I remember

[1:34:45] looking at the forms and being like okay what book is similar to that? Cuz we

[1:34:49] didn't have that one. And so we were working hard to find something that was

[1:34:52] similar to what they requested. And the communications be forms become a

[1:34:57] lifeline back and forth. They're requesting something, we're fulfilling

[1:35:01] it, but we can write a little note back to them in that in that fulfillment just

[1:35:05] saying, "Hey, we're thinking about you. We're praying for you." So it was

[1:35:09] awesome to serve in that capacity. Um volunteers and staff minister in the

[1:35:15] chapel as an open place of learning and belonging. Uh major wor worship services

[1:35:20] draw many attendees across traditions and study groups fill the chapel with

[1:35:24] conversation and reflection. The chapel becomes a small community where faith is

[1:35:28] lived and shared and where attendance turns into connection.

[1:35:35] There's a more personal side of chapency as well. Weekly one-on-one visits uh

[1:35:39] invite uh those incarcerated into conversation about faith and wellness.

[1:35:44] Many volunteers are part of this one-on-one ministry that happens each

[1:35:48] week. Chaplain also respond to hundreds of individual requests to meet. These

[1:35:54] private encounters provide restoration through listening prayer and practical

[1:35:58] support. And we're often referring those in jail to other services that are

[1:36:02] within the jail as well, encouraging them participate in different things

[1:36:06] that are happening for their benefit. Um, when faith practice requires a

[1:36:12] special diet or observance, our chaplain coordinate with dietary staff to honor

[1:36:16] these needs. Special meals for observances like Ramadan and Passover

[1:36:21] are arranged so spiritual practice is respected. Uh, small accommodations like

[1:36:26] these affirm identity and worth in everyday routines.

[1:36:32] Uh we can we coordinate a special gift package for each inmate at Christmas

[1:36:36] time in 2025. The gift pack included a journal, crossword puzzles,

[1:36:41] inspirational stories, and bookmarks along with cookies and a card. This also

[1:36:46] is kind of like a lifeline in that time. You don't have the normaly of receiving

[1:36:50] presents at this time of year. We're happy to do something for them. These

[1:36:54] items that are given are donated by area churches and ministries. Our chaplain

[1:37:00] also stand at the threshold of crisis. As jail administration learns of the

[1:37:05] death or hospitalization of close family members, our chaplain deliver this news

[1:37:10] of death or hospitalization with care. They then walk alongside those

[1:37:15] incarcerated through grief counseling and referrals. They also build

[1:37:19] meaningful relationships with jail staff, offering support that strengthens

[1:37:23] the whole community within the jail. These connections help to create a

[1:37:27] culture of compassion inside the facility.

[1:37:32] We're excited this year to launch a new workshop called Embracing Resilience.

[1:37:37] Our team at Transformative Solutions has done much training over the last few

[1:37:41] years in the area of trauma. You've heard that mentioned a number of times

[1:37:44] today. It's addressed in a variety of ways. We're happy to be a partner in

[1:37:48] that as well by providing this interactive workshop again called

[1:37:52] embracing resilience which brings trauma-informed learning into small

[1:37:56] groups teaching practical skills for coping and connection. Our chaplain

[1:38:01] along with a training team have received trauma and resilience specialist

[1:38:05] training. Um this program extends chapy's mission from comfort to

[1:38:10] empowerment helping participants transform past wounds into sources of

[1:38:15] strength. Threearters of the first group of male

[1:38:18] inmates showed an increase in understanding triggers and responses

[1:38:22] along with an increased understanding of resilience after completing this

[1:38:26] workshop. Our goal is that the information and

[1:38:30] skills learned in these three-part workshops will help each participant

[1:38:34] continue to grow in healing and resilience. We start the first group

[1:38:38] with the female population of the jail tomorrow. Excited to do that.

[1:38:43] In every visit, service and program, chapency work insists on one simple

[1:38:48] truth. Dignity is not earned by freedom alone. It is restored by being seen,

[1:38:54] heard, and treated as each one of us would like to be treated. Thank you for

[1:38:58] your time this morning. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Uh

[1:39:03] thank you to our presenters and we hope this information for the board as well

[1:39:08] as the public has been wellreceived and it gives you a better understanding of

[1:39:11] the numerous providers and programs provided in our criminal justice system

[1:39:14] here in Burks County. >> Okay, Kevin, thank you very much for uh

[1:39:20] putting this together. Before I continue, just want to let everyone know

[1:39:23] that Judge Lash had to leave. He had a uh court case that started at 10:00

[1:39:27] a.m., so it was running late. he needed uh to leave. But do want to take the

[1:39:32] opportunity to thank all the presenters here uh today, not just for being here

[1:39:36] and presenting, but for the work that you do day in and day out. I know most

[1:39:41] of the presenters here and although I've been involved with the uh jail board for

[1:39:46] now, it's been seven, eight years now, I wasn't aware of everything that is done

[1:39:51] at the jail. You have to understand that people that are sentenced to the Burks

[1:39:54] County jail are going to be there for maximum of up to 20 almost 24 months and

[1:40:01] at some point uh they're going to come back and probably live here in Burks

[1:40:04] County. So at the jail we want to make sure that we're providing services that

[1:40:08] will allow them to be rehabilitated and come out to be productive members of the

[1:40:13] society here in Burke. Uh thank you to the warden and the uh deputy warden for

[1:40:20] the work that they do there at the jail for the other organizations that are

[1:40:24] partners uh that work with our inmates at the jail for work with people that

[1:40:28] come out of the jail as well. You all do an amazing job. I've heard over and over

[1:40:33] again from sitting in CJAB and other uh judicial related boards how well it work

[1:40:40] we work in Burks County how well we partner, how much we care about the

[1:40:44] people that are involved judicially here in the county from the DA uh who's

[1:40:49] always looking for ways uh for to alternative sentencing to our judges. We

[1:40:54] look at Judge Geiser who runs uh the uh what's name of the court?

[1:41:00] » Treatment court. >> Treatment court.

[1:41:02] » Runs the treatment court. Just a passion with what with how she talks about what

[1:41:07] she does and how she wishes that more uh people would get involved in the

[1:41:11] treatment court. And you see the passion of everyone else here who was speaking

[1:41:15] today on behalf of their organization and that they want to help. It's not

[1:41:19] just a job for them. They want to help. They want to make sure that the people

[1:41:23] that are in Burks County Jail come out better and are able to be productive

[1:41:28] members of our society. So, thank you to everyone here. The time is moving. So, I

[1:41:33] just want to ask you if there's any uh board members that have brief comments

[1:41:37] uh so we can continue with our agenda. >> Sure. Um I have a few comments. uh

[1:41:43] looking at the numbers uh that were referenced uh going back to 2008, the

[1:41:48] average daily population is much more stark uh than looking at even the last

[1:41:55] four years. And you just mentioned one of the things I was going to mention, a

[1:42:00] lot of credit goes to uh our treatment courts for the work that they do, but I

[1:42:06] will tell you also a lot of credit goes to our district attorney. Uh in 2008, we

[1:42:12] saw a fundamental change in the philosophy of the way uh our district

[1:42:17] attorney prosecuted. Uh and I I am I'm I'm a fan of what you've done, of the

[1:42:26] team that you have. Uh and and the commitment you have to justice

[1:42:32] and you're not soft on crime at the same time. uh that has had a those two things

[1:42:39] have had an enormous impact along with the other areas that you've heard. Um

[1:42:45] another thing that wasn't mentioned that has had an enormous impact on the mental

[1:42:49] health diversion is the stepping up initiative. Several of the entities that

[1:42:55] presented have been involved in that. That's an initiative that was

[1:42:59] established, I think, in 2013 or so uh through the National Association of

[1:43:06] Counties specifically targeting mental health and jails. If it wasn't for that

[1:43:11] program, our numbers which are running around 60% of category C and D, which is

[1:43:18] unacceptable still in my mind, uh those numbers would be dramatically higher if

[1:43:24] we were not actively involved uh in uh that program. Uh the insurance issue

[1:43:31] continues to be a challenge, but I think it's so valuable that Prime Care pointed

[1:43:36] out what they are doing to help us. What most people don't know is the minute an

[1:43:41] individual walks into the jail before they're even uh prosecuted,

[1:43:48] uh they lose, if they're a veteran, they lose their veterans benefits. If they're

[1:43:52] on Medicaid, they lose use of that Medicaid or that Medicare or the private

[1:43:59] insurance. They become wards of not the state, wards of the county taxpayer. And

[1:44:07] so when those numbers are shared, that is a that's a huge factor, but it's also

[1:44:13] something that needs to change at the federal level. I don't see any

[1:44:17] justification for a veteran losing their veteran benefits uh because they've been

[1:44:22] incarcerated or a person on Medicare or Medicaid or who's on private insurance.

[1:44:28] Why should the county taxpayer be forced to pick uh that up? Uh the last thing

[1:44:36] that I will come back to is the category C and D. Uh I believe it's Tom.

[1:44:46] » He nailed it on the head. We have got to challenge the

[1:44:52] Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And it's a problem across the country. there was a

[1:44:57] realization I think uh that the old mental hospital system wasn't working

[1:45:06] and so most of them were shut down across the country and across

[1:45:11] Pennsylvania but no solution was offered in place of

[1:45:15] that and the vast majority of individuals and I'm not talking about

[1:45:20] the individuals because this has been going on over 50 years they the steady

[1:45:26] closure, but the people that need those services,

[1:45:31] many of them are ending up in our jails because there are lack still of services

[1:45:37] in the community uh for mental health. So, I I really appreciate I think this

[1:45:42] is the this is the first time since I've been here that we clearly delineated all

[1:45:50] of the different things that we are looking at. And if there's one takeaway,

[1:45:54] it should be that we don't stay stationary when it comes to dealing with

[1:46:03] uh the needs of people who are incarcerated in our system. We are

[1:46:08] constantly looking for better ways to do what needs to be done and that is to

[1:46:15] help have less people come back into the system. Uh, Connection Works did not

[1:46:22] mention the R3 program, but I just talked about that at a meeting yesterday

[1:46:28] at the Reading uh, Yulenberg Career uh, center. Uh, there was Representative

[1:46:35] Manny Guzman had a number of uh, some senators and House members there to talk

[1:46:40] about Votech. I talked about the adult population that's been going through the

[1:46:46] R3 program with connections works since I think 2018

[1:46:52] 17. Uh so there's a lot going on and I really appreciate that.

[1:46:59] And I what should I I'm supposed to be down at BCTV in 10 minutes. What should

[1:47:06] I do here? What's that? I'm looking at my executive assistant.

[1:47:13] » Should I go? I don't know. What's that? You still

[1:47:18] have a quorum? I'm going to do that. I made a commitment. Some of you know

[1:47:22] Sandy Graphius. Uh I am on her show. Uh she's sitting down there and uh I don't

[1:47:29] want to tick off Sandy Graas. >> I I would give you some good advice.

[1:47:33] Don't go because otherwise he'll she'll call me to have you arrested.

[1:47:36] » Oh, okay. Don't let that

[1:47:39] » So, moving along with the agenda, uh have here uh before we started, Kevin

[1:47:44] had asked about uh the interest of the board of having this on the website. Is

[1:47:49] there anyone that is opposed to having this on our website so that it can be

[1:47:53] viewed by others? >> Okay. Thank you.

[1:47:56] » Go ahead and do that. Thank you. >> Appreciate that.

[1:47:59] » Okay. We'll now move on to agenda items. We will have our senior staff report

[1:48:06] » today. Okay. The population at the jail is 667. We have zero juveniles in our

[1:48:11] custody right now being held anywhere. Our average daily population for March

[1:48:15] was 686. Total commitments to date 853.

[1:48:21] Total discharges 841. We have 30 individuals sentenced to an

[1:48:26] SCI. 14 of those are scheduled to be transported between now and April 30th.

[1:48:31] And we have 16 waiting a transport date or pending other charges. Currently, we

[1:48:35] have 36 individuals here with an immigration detainer and seven of those

[1:48:40] seven individuals were discharged to ICE within the last 30 days. Just want to

[1:48:44] remind the board that the first week in May is National Correctional Officers

[1:48:48] and Employees Week and we will be holding a memorial service on May 8th uh

[1:48:52] to honor all the staff. Any questions? >> Okay. Thank you. Warden Deputy Warden of

[1:48:59] Custody Report. >> I'll be covering that in his absence. Uh

[1:49:03] we currently have 18 correctional officer vacancies and four sergeant

[1:49:07] vacancies. I have six cadets in the academy that started on February 25th.

[1:49:12] They'll be graduating on or around May 21st. We held a CO testing on March

[1:49:17] 18th. I currently have 13 candidates in the interview phase and we have another

[1:49:21] CO testing scheduled for April 28th. >> Okay. Deputy Warren of treatment.

[1:49:28] » Morning. >> Morning.

[1:49:30] Um we currently have 95 individuals in

[1:49:35] custody who are a D roster. Um that makes up 14% of our population. Um our

[1:49:43] combined C and D roster is 64%. Um regarding our trustee and work

[1:49:49] release um individuals in the month of March, we had 20 individuals who were

[1:49:54] made eligible for work release on their sentencing order. uh we had an average

[1:49:58] trustee population of 22 and we had eight individuals uh become trustee in

[1:50:04] the month of March. Um regarding the pen ID program uh we had 55 referrals to the

[1:50:11] program in March we had 41 applications processed. We received 12 products being

[1:50:18] IDs or driver's licenses and we received one voucher

[1:50:24] uh for access to a product in the community. Uh moving on to the Narstown

[1:50:29] Wernernville State Hospital waiting list. Uh we had one at the end of March,

[1:50:35] as of March 31st, we had one individual waiting for a bed at Narstown for

[1:50:40] competency restoration. We had no one waiting for um treatment at Narstown and

[1:50:47] we still had one individual waiting for a bed at Warersville.

[1:50:50] Um regarding admissions, we had one individual admitted to Narstown for

[1:50:56] competency restoration. That person waited 14 days for their bed. We had one

[1:51:00] individual admitted to Narstown for treatment. That individual waited 15

[1:51:05] days for their bed. And we had no admissions to Warersville. Our current

[1:51:09] census at Narstown is 12. Uh nine individuals are there for competency

[1:51:14] restoration and three are there for treatment.

[1:51:16] » Any questions? >> Okay. Thank you.

[1:51:22] Now move on to deputy warden of operations.

[1:51:25] » Good morning. >> Morning.

[1:51:27] » A couple projects going on. Securas is currently on site at the jail upgrading

[1:51:30] security features. Uh Kelly Brothers is in the process of replacing golf and

[1:51:35] unit yard doors. Our transport vehicles are being outfitted with uh video

[1:51:40] monitoring and as the ward mentioned the cadets they're in their seventh week of

[1:51:44] training. Uh they are currently reviewing direct supervision and with

[1:51:49] the uh book vending machine to date since it's unveiling has dispensed 278

[1:51:54] books. That's all I have. >> Okay. Thank you. Any questions from the

[1:51:59] board? Okay. Move along to our solicitor's report.

[1:52:05] Do we need an executive session? No executive session. Okay, we'll now move

[1:52:10] on to comments from the prison board. Any comments?

[1:52:15] » Okay, we'll now move on to then uh the public comment section. Do we have

[1:52:22] anything online? Nothing online. Uh we do have uh various

[1:52:28] here in person. Remember for those speaking please uh when you come up to

[1:52:32] the podium give your full name your municipality and you will have three

[1:52:36] minutes to speak and Jesse will be taking the the uh time. Okay. Crystal

[1:52:42] Kowalsski.

[1:52:49] » Good morning. >> Morning

[1:52:51] » Crystal Kowalsski by missing. I want to congratulate you and thank you on the

[1:52:55] program programming that you talked about today. They're incredible choices

[1:52:59] and they make huge difference and we really appreciate it.

[1:53:04] I'm here to talk about ICE detainers. So, in February, I submitted a right to

[1:53:09] know request asking for a list of the names and charges of the people who had

[1:53:13] been handed over to ICE and DHS in the past year. My request was denied because

[1:53:18] there is not an existing document. I asked for this because it is information

[1:53:23] that we should all have in front of us. this document should exist.

[1:53:28] When we as a county take someone into custody, we are responsible for that

[1:53:32] person. When they're handed over, we all know where they're going, what kind of

[1:53:36] treatment they're likely to receive, and that the final outcome will probably be

[1:53:41] that they are deported to either the country that they fled from or now

[1:53:45] possibly a third country. Using the jailboard minutes, I have

[1:53:50] counted that 75 people have been handed over in the past year.

[1:53:56] This is a choice. Every single person, every single time is a choice to hand

[1:54:01] that person over. I am asking you to stop choosing to contact ICE. I'm asking

[1:54:06] you to stop holding people past their legal release date and time. And I'm

[1:54:11] asking please do not hand another person over. Thank you.

[1:54:17] » Hey, thank you, Crystal. Uh, next is Jane Palmer.

[1:54:25] Good morning and thank you um what Crystal said, we appreciate what you're

[1:54:30] doing. My name is Jane Palmer. I live in Y missing.

[1:54:35] Um we just heard from Warden Smith that um seven people were um released to ICE

[1:54:42] in the past month. That makes it a total of 75 this year. In roughly the same

[1:54:47] time period, 46 people have died in ICE custody. Um my question is are you

[1:54:53] comfortable with the fact that you have no idea what might happen to those 75

[1:54:58] people? They are wards of the country of the county and then you let them go. You

[1:55:04] hand them over to an agency that is amply demonstrated that it operates

[1:55:08] outside of the law. Those people can be detained indefinitely, deported back to

[1:55:14] their home country, or to somewhere entirely different, such as Honduras, El

[1:55:18] Salvador, Congo, South Sudan, and lots of other countries we know are unstable.

[1:55:25] By cooperating with ICE, you're knowingly putting these people in harm's

[1:55:28] way, denying access to their loved ones and to legal representation and exposing

[1:55:34] them to overcrowding, mental neglect, malnutrition, emotional distress,

[1:55:40] and possible death. I ask you respectively, please do not ask people

[1:55:46] you arrest about their citizenship or place of birth. Do not contact ICE when

[1:55:51] you have them. Do not honor ICE detainers and do not people turn people

[1:55:57] over to ICE. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jane. Uh Lisa Gallagher,

[1:56:09] » morning Gallagher. Um I'm from Spring Township and I just want to say to begin

[1:56:14] with, I learned so much today. Thank you. and the book vending as a former

[1:56:19] first grade teacher like my heart is happy to hear that. Um I'm speaking

[1:56:24] because I have questions about the financial aspects of the ICE detainer um

[1:56:28] from a July 24th 2025 article um by Gabriella Martinez. It's listing how

[1:56:35] Burks County is using detainers at the prison and that DA Adams was informed

[1:56:40] that the county could lose $290,000 of FEMA funding if the county did not

[1:56:47] comply at that time to share inmate status and detaining them 48 hours to 72

[1:56:53] hours beyond their scheduled release, even when they post bail or

[1:56:59] um their charges were resolved. So, I have issues with all of that, especially

[1:57:05] remembering that a charge is not a conviction. Due process is still a

[1:57:08] thing. Um, but my question today is who's paying for the additional days of

[1:57:14] detainment between their scheduled release and when ICE takes custody? Um,

[1:57:19] from 24 to 48, even up to 72 hours, especially because weekends don't count

[1:57:23] in that time period. Are the taxpayers paying that? Are we paying more? Um, is

[1:57:29] the county losing money or is the county getting money? I I'm I'm not sure. Um,

[1:57:35] and also thinking about that, taking into account the extra staffing,

[1:57:38] manpower, clerical time, and money that that requires. So, I have financial

[1:57:45] questions also. And in closing, I just respectfully urge you to just end this

[1:57:50] process of contacting ICE voluntarily, especially because of the situation that

[1:57:56] we're seeing now with the way ICE is being um conducting their business. I

[1:58:02] personally don't want my tax money used to detain people past their release date

[1:58:06] when they should be able to go free like anyone else. Um, immigration is not a

[1:58:13] criminal charge. Thank you.

[1:58:19] » Okay. Thank you, Lisa. We'll now move on to Colin Underwood.

[1:58:30] » Morning. >> Morning.

[1:58:31] » My name is Colin Underwood. I live in Fleetwood. A lifelong Burks County

[1:58:36] resident. Uh having grown up in Blandon, moving to Laurddale, Reading, and then

[1:58:41] eventually Fleet with my wife and two kids. Um, I am a very big proponent of

[1:58:46] community. I'm afraid the involvement with ICE is disrupting our community's

[1:58:52] um, co coercion, if you could say that. Um, people are worried to report crimes

[1:58:58] because they're worried that ICE involvement will wrongfully detain

[1:59:02] American citizens. We have very large Puerto Rican population. Those are

[1:59:05] citizens. I am asking you to please urge the end urge the uh practice of

[1:59:10] cooperating with ICE voluntarily. I'm asking you to not use my do tax

[1:59:15] dollars to hold people 48 hours 72 hours past the release date so ICE can pick

[1:59:19] them up on the detainer. Thank you very much.

[1:59:22] » Okay. Thank you, Colin. Uh Erica Zeller.

[1:59:30] Okay, so Eric. All right. Uh Kristen Park.

[1:59:37] Okay. All right. So, that ends the in-person comments. Uh, do we have

[1:59:42] anything online? >> Yeah.

[1:59:44] » Okay.

[1:59:56] Is there a reason you didn't sign in when you arrived or?

[2:00:03] Okay. So, allow at this time. Uh, but I'll just need you to sign in here uh

[2:00:07] when you finish. Okay. Right. Uh, full name and municipality, please.

[2:00:16] » So, my full name is Andrea Campbell. I'm from uh Boyertown, Douglas Township. Um,

[2:00:23] I'm here today to speak and advocate for those who don't have the same privilege

[2:00:28] as I do to walk in here and speak openly. So, I'm here to advocate and

[2:00:33] speak for them. This is clearly not the ICE of the past. In order to meet their

[2:00:38] 3,000 per day uh quota, they are targeting people based on solely on

[2:00:46] their appearance or their spoken language. Um and I'm here to ask, are

[2:00:50] you comfortable with people within our county um persons that don't look like

[2:00:58] white Americans um being treated like suspects?

[2:01:04] I respectfully urge you to end the practice of contacting ICE voluntarily.

[2:01:11] Stop respecting um the ICE detainers and refrain from using our county resources

[2:01:17] for federal immigration enforcement. It is

[2:01:21] not too late to do the right thing. Thank you for listening.

[2:01:26] » Thank you, Andrea. Now move to online comments.

[2:01:37] There's one online comment. Um, my name is Craig Schaefer and I am a resident of

[2:01:41] Kumra Township. I am present today because I am a white male. My Latino

[2:01:46] friends and family members are too scared to participate in community

[2:01:50] events right now. I'm here to express my strong objection to the Burks County

[2:01:55] Sheriff's Office and prison executing detainers for ICE. Participation in

[2:02:00] federal immigration enforcement is not the job of Burks County law enforcement

[2:02:05] or our p prison system. It should not be what our Burks County tax dollars are

[2:02:10] spent on. Additionally, detainer databases are outdated, causing

[2:02:16] unconstitutional detention violations that are not properly tracked. ICE is

[2:02:21] not transparent.

[2:02:26] ICE is not is also certainly not accountable. This lack of accountability

[2:02:32] and transparency will open Burks County to lawsuits against ICE

[2:02:37] and the sheriff's office causing more financial consequences caused by

[2:02:42] unlawful actions. I ask you to stop using county resources to cooperate with

[2:02:46] ICE. I do not want my tax dollars spent on detaining people past the release

[2:02:51] date. I want my family and friends to believe in our government, our

[2:02:55] community, and our representatives. Again, please do not please do the right

[2:03:00] thing and stop contacting ICE voluntarily.

[2:03:05] » It's the end. >> That it Okay, that concludes the P.

[2:03:08] » Wait a minute. There's one more that's not popping up for me. Wait a minute.

[2:03:17] There it is. Um, last one. I'm sorry these don't pop up automatically. My

[2:03:22] name is um, Jenna Dumbarrowski and I am a resident of Long Swap Township. As was

[2:03:29] stated earlier today, these those incarcerated are wards of the taxpayers

[2:03:33] of Burks County. regardless of their citizenship status. It is the

[2:03:38] responsibility of the county to to uphold their constitutional rights and

[2:03:42] cannot and should not hold people past their release date. As my neighbors have

[2:03:47] stated, we do not want our tax money to go toward handing our immigrant

[2:03:52] neighbors over to ICE and potentially their death.

[2:03:56] » Okay, >> I think that's it.

[2:03:58] » Okay, that will uh close the public comment period for the meeting. Are

[2:04:03] there any comments from the members of the board?

[2:04:08] » No. >> Okay. If we have uh no comments, that

[2:04:12] concludes our agenda. >> I'll make a motion.

[2:04:16] » I'll second it. >> The meeting is adjourned. Thank you very

[2:04:20] much.

County of Berks Prison Board Meeting 2026-04-08

Transcript