Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction QStP Team Projects - Safety and Security Projects
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FUNKIE BUNKIES
Belmont Correctional Facility (2000)
The Funkie Bunkies reviewed Belmont Correctional Institution’s current bunk restriction policy and recommended appropriate changes with the objectives of being fair, efficient, safe and available to all employees involved in the process. Emphasis was placed on clothing, pack-up, daily work, tracking and escort issues. Team members: Linda Baughman, Debera Brykalski, Domenic Comparetto, Zane Dougherty, Jay Forshey, Roseann Hood, Carol McConnell, Owen McRobie, Mike Ondeck, Rick Shutek, Russell Teramana. For further information contact Domenic Comparetto (740) 695-5169.
A-TEAM
Ross Correctional Institution (2000)
It had been noted for some time that RCI employees were bringing into the institution items that were somewhat "questionable" as to their legitimacy in a correctional institution. The A-Team researched the current policies regarding staff and visitor entry and physically observed the array of items permitted to enter the institution. Based on customer surveys, the A-Team developed a list of items that were no longer permitted to enter the institution and rewrote RCI’s entrance policy based on their findings. Team members: Michelle Perkins, Crystal Bandy, Arron Clemons, Mike Warrens, John Murphy, Kim Parks, Jackie Pfeifer, Niland Vinzant (facilitator). For more information contact Michelle Perkins (740) 774-7050.
S.O.S. TEAM
Cincinnati APA (2000)
Prior to the Safety for Office Security (S.O.S.) team, the Cincinnati APA Regional office had no official procedure in place to alert staff members of an office arrest or other potentially dangerous situation. The team developed a system of alert codes to inform staff of a dangerous situation in the office and printed reminder cards for each staff person to use as a quick guide when an alert code was announced. Team members: LaTaunia Pitts, Kelly Barnett, Tammy Lamb, Theresa Pomerleau, Monica Jones, Aretha Cobbins, Emily Givan, Ed Leukhardt (facilitator). For more information contact LaTaunia Pitts (513) 821-5320.
W.A.I.S. TEST TEAM- (What About Improving Security)
Southern Ohio Correctional Facility (2000)
Test Team was formed to decrease security hazards in and around the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, increase accountability of correctional employees and inmates, update security equipment and purchase the latest technologies in security equipment. The team developed a security manual for in-service training and purchased new security equipment. Team members: Ralph Merritt (team leader), David Barnes, Griselda Cooper, Allison Brannan, Kelly Miller, Bill Dillon, Darrin Howard, Rodney Rice (facilitator). For more information contact Ralph Merritt (740) 259-5544.
911 TEAM
Oakwood Correctional Institution (1999)
The 911 Team was organized to examine the differences between Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses and the newly available Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatuses (EEBA). Staff wanted to know which of these options would be more useful to evacuate inmates from their housing units. The team collected quantitative data, including equipment costs and the costs to train staff in its use. From their examinations, 11 EEBA units were purchased. As a result, search and rescue responsibility was transferred to the Lima Fire Department, reducing OCF’s and DRC’s liability. Also, OCF has maintained compliance with OSHA standards while cutting the average time to evacuate a housing unit in half. Lisa Wise, Leader 419-225-8052.
PAROLE PURSUIT
North Central Correctional Institution (1999)
The Parole Pursuit Team was established to address a 1998 assault on a staff member in the Parole Board Hosting area. The process in place assigned a staff member to the parole board hosting area to direct inmates in signing paperwork and to answer questions for inmates and the Board. The hosting area consisted in part of a small hallway that at any time might be crowded with an average of 11 inmates waiting to see the Board. This set-up increased the possibility that an inmate who received a continuance could become aggressive and so encourage other inmates to misbehave. The team developed a one-day pass system to be used by inmates meeting with the Parole Board. They also secured an office and established a new inmate waiting area. Case managers were reassigned to their housing unit. As a result, the waiting time for inmates to see the Parole Board decreased from three hours and 14 minutes to two hours and 17 minutes; the average number of inmates waiting to be seen decreased from 11 to five; and the presence of security was augmented by placing a closed circuit camera in each of the three Parole Board rooms. Terry Baldauf, Leader 740-387-7040.
THE ENFORCERS
Lebanon Correctional Institution (1999)
The Enforcers wanted to improve the way cells were inspected by increasing inmate awareness of cell rules and regulations. This would, they hoped, decrease the frequency of safety, security, and contraband violations within cells. The team revitalized cell inspection procedures and reports by enforcing rules in accordance with institution protocol and administrative regulations. A new Cell Inspection Report written especially for inmates details the rules for cell conditions and sanctions for violations. As a result, of the 207 violations found during an initial inspection of cells, 97% were corrected by their inmate occupants using the revitalized Cell Inspection Report. For more information, contact Julia Bush at 513-932-1211.
"CON"SCIENTIOUS COMMISSARY TEAM
Orient Correctional Institution (1999)
The Orient Correctional Institution (OCI) houses approximately 2,300 inmates of medium security status. Another 500 inmate patients from the Corrections Medical Center are provided with shopping privileges in the OCI commissary. In the annual OCI "Quality of Life Survey," inmates have often complained about commissary services, and employees have voiced concerns about security issues in that area. The team went on to revamp the entire shopping process to improve service and to reduce security concerns. As a result, the number of inmates in the commissary has fallen from about 100 shoppers to 30 shoppers at a time. Because the area is less crowded, the last shopper in each group waits less than 30 minutes, rather than the previous average of an hour and there has been a decrease in the number of inmate theft reports. David Larson, Leader 614-877-4367.
SNACK TEAM
Cincinnati APA Region (1998)
The team recognized that procedures to handle violent or potentially violent office visitors was not in place. The team has worked out a solution to provide back-up to fellow workers if a situation occurs. Carla M. Whitaker, Leader 513-821-4804.
The S.N.A.C.K. TEAM
Cincinnati Adult Parole Authority (1997)
The SNACK team focused on improving the overall safety process by increasing staff awareness of proper safety procedures and maintaining a safe working environment. As a result, the team addressed the issue of the sign in/out log. Some of the identified problems were the under utilization of the log by staff, incomplete or inaccurate data and relaxed accountability for staff’s whereabouts.
Through force-field analysis, the team developed a sing in/out log which was more viable, accessible and comprehensive for both internal and external customers. Carla Whitaker, Leader 513-821-5320.
TROUBLE SHOOTERS TEAM
Lima Adult Parole Authority Region (1997)
The Trouble Shooters team was developed to improve and define health and safety procedures within the Lima Region four offices and to provide on-going education and awareness of safety procedures. The identified customers were employees and visitors. An informal survey was conducted and it was determined that only one office had a written health and safety practices. In view of this, a quick-reference emergency booklet was formulated specifically for each of the district offices. The data was discussed with staff and distributed to everyone in the region. In addition, these booklets will be reviewed on a quarterly basis with a view toward appropriate modifications. Margaret Reynolds, Leader 419-245-2925.
COMMISSARY TEAM
Lima Correctional Institution (1997)
The goal of the Commissary Committee was to improve security by eliminating a ready-made weapons through the commissary, packages, transfers, and hygiene items via various internal departments. In analyzing the dilemma, the committee reviewed commissary purchase list, approved departmental package list, segregation hygiene articles, and accident/injury reports. After brainstorming, contacting other institutions, reviewing policy and procedures, approximately twenty-five items were eliminated as approved articles and replaced with items less likely to be a potential weapon or promote injury. Deborah Dunnigan, QStP Coordinator 419-225-8060.
HALLWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS
Lima Correctional Institution (1996)
The members of the LCI team were brought together due to concerns related to security, staff safety and inmate accountability in the prison’s hallways. The hallway traffic was perceived by staff and inmates as unsafe and a threat to the security of the institution. The team worked to make the hallway safer, increasing accountability for inmates and providing alternatives to hallway loitering. The team conducted surveys and interviews to verify the problem. The results were charted. Other quality tools (brainstorming, benchmarking) were used before potential solutions were generated. The team recommended a solution in four phases, generating/modifying rules, educating staff and inmates, providing structured activities and making some structural changes. Rick Edwards, Leader 419-225-8060.
PRIDE
Pickaway Correctional Institution (1996)
The PRIDE team from PCI set out to improve the reception process. The existing process was cumbersome, labor intensive, time consuming and created a security risk when vehicles entered the compound. The group improved the process by decreasing vehicle traffic, reduced the length of processing time for inmates and has eliminated the congregation of inmates in one area. John Dean, Leader 614-877-4362.
SWAT
Lebanon Correctional Institution (1996)
The LeCI QStP Steering Committee formed the team as a result of the number of weapons found in the institution annually. The team’s goal was to create a safer living and working environment. Following the format for teams, the problem was identified and analyzed. The team used list reduction, consensus, informal interviews and brainstorming to arrive at their solution. Staff awareness will be enhanced through an updated staff training and bulletin boards will be used for posting current photographs and statistics related to the discovery of weapons. An ongoing archive will be compiled for future reference. A network with all other prisons in the state will be established as a means to share information related to contraband weapons. Beverly Martin, Leader 513-932-1211.
WEAVE, DUCK AND DODGE
Akron Adult Parole Authority (1996)
This Akron APA team was formed to improve field officer safety within the region. The team’s customers told them by survey (82 of 90 returned) that the safety issue was their main concern. The team followed the quality process in order to arrive at their recommendations. They plan to improve field officer safety by increasing education and awareness. Better utilization of available or the purchase of additional equipment is also a part of the team’s strategy. Edward M. Sopher, Leader 330-643-3010.
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