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<br /> 9/l3/71
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<br /> F. Jail Condi tions, request for discussion, Council of the P00r - City Council agreed I!
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<br /> ,I to give the Council of the Poor an opportunity to bring before the City Council
<br /> specific complaints about conditions at the City-County Jail. I, ~
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<br /> ii Councilwoman Beal clarified that much of the dissatisfaction was not wi th the jail,
<br /> I: but with the facilities, which require a certain type confinement and treatment. "
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<br /> I: Mayor Anderson pointed out that several studies have been made with recommendations i
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<br /> Ii for a new faci li ty, but the city has no alternative but,to use the present
<br /> I facility until arrangements can be made for financing. L-COG has reported that
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<br /> i ~ some future money may be available, and Mayor Anderson felt the'Council should
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<br /> H purs ue this.
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<br /> II Mrs. Campbell agreed, and commented that the League of Women voters a report_which
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<br /> statedi:fiat.cost of'a new faci'lity to relieve present .pressures would be approximately :1
<br /> tW0 mi lli on dollars. The preseht faci li ty was not bui 1 t for .its pre.sefft purpose.
<br /> Gail Linton, 610 Willamette, read a report from the Council of the Poor, dealing -
<br /> " with general complaints about the jail and other jails in the country. She "
<br /> I: called for five minutes silence in memory of_the death of an escaping prisoner. ,
<br /> Ii Mayor Anderson explained that this was a work session, not a place for demon-
<br /> ~ I stration, and that the Council would go on to the next item during this interim.
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<br /> ,: (After a discussion of the Share a Ride Project, minutes' of which appear under
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<br /> .! Item "A", the discussion of jail conditions continued)
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<br /> I' Council of the Poor had left the meeting. I
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<br /> Mrs. Phyllis Lidell, 1691 Mill, asked to express her deep concern for women held "
<br /> in city jail. She had done some checking on this and thought that condi tions
<br /> were quite intolerable. "Her complaint centered around the fact that women are ':
<br /> not allowed to use the exercise yard. She felt they should be allowed exercise
<br /> pr i vi leges, and that they should be given every considei11ation that is gi ven to
<br /> men prisoners. She explained the women's section of the jail, and again complained
<br /> that there was not room even for exercise indoors. She felt the City Council
<br /> should make a policy s'tatement concerning this situation.
<br /> Chief Allen of the City Police Department, said women from the League of Women
<br /> Voters have toured the women's facilities in the city jail. Regarding lack of
<br /> exercise, Captain Smith has discussed this problem with him and made suggestions
<br /> ~or getting into a program of exercise for the women. They have been attempting
<br /> to improve many areas of the operation, and have acquired an insti tutional cook
<br /> to prepare meals. Formerly, this was done by an inmate. Past practice was to
<br /> use an extensive amount of venison, and they now ask the County Health Officer
<br /> toeertify that the meat being served is edible. One officer has been assigned
<br /> to prepare the menu, which is prepared in advance so that there will be a
<br /> reasonably balanced diet. He has extensive experience in this field and is
<br /> adequately qualified. Cost of meals has increased as a result of this attempt I
<br /> to improve conditions at the jail.
<br /> Chief Allen outlined procedures relative to medical care, and explained steps
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<br /> , taken to assure proper medication, or hospitalization when necessary. He agreed
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<br /> , that there are problems, and said they are working as rapidly as possible wi th
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<br /> , the personnel available.
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<br /> Mrs..C~mpbell,inquired whether a rehabilitation officer had been hired. Chief
<br /> Allen explained that this would be in cooperation with the County, and until -
<br /> they had a budget, no funds were available to fill this position. Mrs. Campbell
<br /> i fel t the ci ty could transfer funds, so that this position could be filled at
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<br /> I the earliest possible date. She felt it was most important that'prisoners be
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<br /> I encouraged to work and that they be rehabilitated.
<br />Ii Mrs. Beal asked for a detailed report with regard to a program for exercise for
<br /> women prisoners.
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<br />I: Mrs. Beal commented that the~e had been an allegation by the Council of the Poor
<br />It that an inmate of the' jail had hepatitis. Captain Smith agreed that there had
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<br />ii been many cases of hepatitis in the past which were under a doctors care and
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<br />:, isolated, but after this allegation, all inmates were examined, and although no
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<br />I' cases were found, those who felt they might have ha~ contact with the disease
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<br />ii were isolated.
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<br />'I Councilwoman Beal commented that, since the Council of the Poor had made no
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<br />" specific complaints and apparently did not wish to address the Council for this
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<br />'I purpose, she saw no reason for continuing the discussion.
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<br /> Mayor Anderson emphasized that the Council of the Poor does have access to the
<br /> Human Rights Conmlission on this particular matter.
<br /> The City Manager invited those with specific complaints to try to get problems
<br /> resolved with the administration. - If they feel they have not accomplished their : e
<br /> aim, they may then address the Human Rights Commission. file
<br />~ 9/13/71 - 11
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