11 A.M.

PRESENT: Chairman Darcy. Members: Mosiello, Stewart-Cousins. STAFF: Emilia Vita, Secretary to the Committee.

ALSO PRESENT: Commissioner Stancari, Department of Corrections.

Chairman Darcy called the meeting to order at 11:15 a.m.

Commissioner Stancari briefly explained the current status of 207C sick leave benefits.

In brief, the Commissioner said three (3) legislative changes are needed to amend the current laws concerning 207C benefits. One change would be to define the meaning of "in line duty injury", i.e. a parking lot injury is not substantial to an injury sustained on the job in the jail facility. Another is the non-taxable income received from 207C benefits. The Commissioner said the IRS treats 207C benefits as insurance, therefore it becomes non-taxable and there is no incentive to return to work. The Commissioner suggested if benefits were readily paid and a realistic appraisal of injury was made, the incentive to return to work may be expedient.

Another major change that should be reviewed and amended is the 207C management under the current contracts. The Commissioner explained when an officer is injured, they are sent home, there are no witnesses and they file 207C sick injury, benefits are paid, and the officer is out indefinitely. He said there are more lost cases in court under the present conditions. The Commissioner suggests that officers should be required to make a report of their injury, report doctor and therapy visits, make daily telephone calls into the department and expect callbacks while they are out. The Commissioner said officers can be out on 207C leave and still have another job as long as it occurs "off hours".

With these changes, the Commissioner feels that the attitude of the staff would improve the morale as well as alleviate overtime problems.

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Legislator Mosiello said knowing by experience, when overtime was needed it caused resentment within the ranks which eventually lead to morale problems.

Chairman Darcy has always been concerned with the safety of officers, either police or correction, especially when they are told to put in a double shift. He is concerned with a tired officer or a resentful officer on overtime who creates an attitude, therefore escalating other problems.

Commissioner Stancari said approximately 90% of the staff have a good attitude but the issue is not as bleak as described by the newspapers.

The Commissioner sent a memo to all staff members explaining the situation, the number of people not showing up for work and gave them an option to "clean up" their actions or other alternatives will be taken. He said some staff took acceptation to the letter, while a majority of the staff appreciated the letter. The memo had a positive effect, overtime has gone down, four people out on leave have returned and weekend sick leave has been reduced.

Commissioner Stancari said he will be more aggressive with sick leave injury and if alternatives were successful in the past, then they will be strongly enforced again.

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Legislator Stewart-Cousins handed the Commissioner a letter from a constituent requesting the creation of a Citizen Oversight Committee to access the modality of the prison system. After briefly reading the letter, Commissioner Stancari offered no comment. Legislator Mosiello mentioned that no one can act in the capacity of what is job related. Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked for the favor of a reply, the Commissioner said he will go through the necessary channels.

Commissioner Stancari said it was always a pleasure to come before the Board to address and resolve problems within his department.

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The minutes of August 25, 1997 were approved and moved by Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Darcy, motion carried 3-0.

Chairman Darcy will issue a press release stating that the issues at the Department of Correction have been addressed and steps have been taken to resolve the problems.

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The issue of snow and ice removal from automobile was discussed briefly by Legislator Mosiello. The Legislator spoke with Deputy Commissioner Maccarone, who said the process to make a law may be difficult to track the various issues involved in the law.

Chairman Darcy suggests a support letter from this Committee be forwarded to the rest of the Board with the attached law from the State of New Jersey, and ask that it be introduced to Albany from the entire Board.

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