PINELLAS EX OFFENDER RE ENTRY COALTION
MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 26, 2007
Meeting opened by Chair, Frank Kopczynski
In the interest of time, all present participated in a panel discussion, moderator, Ray Williams from the
Public Defenders Office, regarding inmates released from Department of Corrections with
psychiatric disorders:
Please note minutes do not always reflect individual name or organization of speaker, but
whenever possible, it is noted.
Janice Hill: There is a federal order that states that assistance to this population must be rendered. Based
on a conversation with Dean Andre in Tallahassee, and after reviewing State policy within the Dept. of
Corrections, it is Ms. Hill's understanding that six months prior to end of sentence, corrections staff begin
to assist inmate in formulating a release plan. Each inmate receives a 30 day supply of medication, a
packet of referrals back into the local mental health system, $100.00 and bus transportation. For the last 5
years (or so) the program has worked well, especially in regards to the HIV/Aids population. They
receive aftercare contact, and testing for at least 6 months after their release. In regards to releasing their
medical records, the inmate signs a medical release. Facility will send summary "transfer sheet", not
complete medical records. Transfer sheet is basic information only.
In regards to inmates in the Work Release program; they are called back to the jail prior to their release
for a supply of meds and packet of referral information for both HIV and mental health resources.
Suncoast receives 25 EOS referrals a month and they do set up appointments prior to release but many do
not show up for the appointment! Are they being told of the appointment by corrections staff? Those that
do come for appointment bring a one page summary and 30 day med supply.
Gulfcoast Jewish Family Services says they are not getting the information regards appointments. Over
half of their clients do not show because they never knew they had an appointment there. The DOC has
been very supportive of Gulfcoast. Overall most in attendance agreed that there have been improvements
in the system over the past year. However, each prison "interprets" policies differently. Could this
interpretation be a problem? Is there need for an extra step in the process by getting a family member
involved with post release services prior to release?
Don Sweeney: The DOC in Miami has approved sex offender living under bridges and expressways
because they fall within the 1,000' rule. Hillsborough County is considering extending the rule to 1500 or
2500' instead! If they adopt this change, Pinellas and other jurisdictions will probably follow suit. That
will be the end of local programs. Also, the majority of sex offenders have substance abuse problems as
well. One infraction after release can send them back to prison for decades. There is less than 0 tolerance
in regards to this population. When in prison many inmates do not participate - that's the biggest issue.
Frank Kopczynski: The State of Georgia has a great substance abuse program and only if you fail at this
program do you go to prison. Prison makes your substance abuse problems worsen not improve.
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Ray Williams stated he experienced firsthand the lack of transfer sheets, lack of meds, lack of follow
through with his clientele. With supervision and daily medications, this population does not need to go to
jail. This diversion should happen in court prior to incarceration. It can take more than one mental health
professional to make a diagnosis that is acceptable to the courts.
For example: It can take three docs to agree that a person is incompetent but that person may still not
meet the criteria for involuntary committal to a state hospital. Then efforts must be made to find a
treatment center. If the person has no SSD, refuses to take their meds, is uncooperative, etc. it is
frustrating at best. A large portion of mentally ill individuals don't realize they are sick or don't trust
taking their meds.
Frank Kopczynski: Who does the (PERC) contact regarding a higher level of service?
Diane Lee, Tampa & Kim Reilly, Tallahassee
What is desperately needed is a Mental Health Court in Pinellas and/or Hillsborough County.
Sex Offender labeling must be changed! HERN has a committee working on researching changing the
2500' proposal in Hillsborough.
How ever it was noted that early detection - prompt response is more effective. Using a tape measure
approach accomplishes little.
Why is there no Mental Health Court here? According to Ray Williams, three years ago, Ray and a group
went to Tallahassee to lobby for one. You must have the support of the State Attorney's Office for this to
happen. According to Ray, you don't need any additional funding and they agreed. Then two years ago,
they said there was "no funding" to provide one! Stated that unlike drug court, mental health court will
cost you more, as you must provide extra staffing.
Luis Faustino: Mental Health Court in Sarasota works great. Every Wednesday they meet, support
graduates from local programs, invite those in need to join these same treatment programs to help keep
the mentally ill from languishing in jail or even worse prison.
Ray Williams stated that in Florida, Pinellas County is a "magnet" that attracts needy individuals because
we have the resources. Tallahassee says that under these parameters, having a mental health court here
would overwhelm the court, thus the need for extra staff and that would be cost prohibitive. Existing
local mental health programs are "territorial" in nature and don't want to share resources. You would need
a centralized treatment facility for success.
Every judge responds differently to mentally ill individuals. All officers including probation officers
should attend CIT (Crisis Intervention Training), which deals specifically with mental illness response.
The Regional Community Training Institute offers the programs free.
The Pinellas County Jail offers a program called "Making Supervision Work For You". It is full every
time the class is offered. Graduates have a certificate which they take to the judge/probation officer. No
one seems to know about the program although the PCJ has repeatedly sent out the information. Why
don't the other agencies know about this? We need to tighten response and improve communication
within our own agencies first before trying to fix outside the box.
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Lawyers are willing to help but they just don't know what services are out there! It was suggested that a
regular insert be place in the Bar Association Newsletter which, in St. Petersburg alone, reaches 1400
attorneys.
On May 3, 2007, NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) meets with all mental health providers.
Frank Kopczynski will be there to encourage them to advocate for a Mental Health Court.
All agencies should develop contact persons in higher agencies, including Tallahassee. Colorado has a
successful program; Recovering Anonymously for people addicted to pornography, different than Sex,
Love and Addiction offered in Pinellas. For local mental health issues at the Pinellas County Jail, email
Rebecca Reynal at rebecca.wolf-reynal@mail.dc.state.us (please note this email address will be clarified
by chairperson.)
It was agree upon by the members of the Coalition present to invite Diane Lee to next PERC meeting.
End of panel discussion.
Other Business:
Chair asked assemblage to review item VI on agenda and email Frank with your top favorites for future
topics.
Treasurer Report - Mike Jalazzo: Approximately $36,000 in Dept. of Labor account, $70,000 in Pinellas
Re Entry Program account left for fiscal year. New employees A.J. Murphy and Zachary White were
introduced. Through April 24, A.J. has seen 238 clients, followed up with 63, for a total of 301 sessions,
and 26 classes. Mike is in the process of writing for a Dept. of Labor grant for $60,000 and will continue
to look for additional funding sources.
Success Stories:
Julius Baker - Worknet - congratulated for setting a fair workplace environment.
Gavin Anderson - Addiction treatment in the jail is needed - success happens everyday!
Don Sweeney - The Palace Mobile Home Park has 75 sex offenders living there. The Palace offers
programs for them, they need A.A., Frank to provide contact. Nancy Morais is looking at trailer parks in
other areas of the state.
Zachary White: Boley has homeless prevention program available to pay for one month rent.
Rebecca Reynal - Resources are needed quickly!
Ladonna Duhon has been promoted to Suncoast Goodwill Assistant Program Manager
Minnie Lee: note new name of: Pinellas County Department of Health and Human Services
Bev Roberts: told horror story about ex offender who was violated because he was 15 minutes late due to
City bus being late. Lost job, lost apartment etc. As an employment specialist this is heartbreaking
because employers become reluctant to hire ex offenders.
A.J. Murphy: We need to develop a transitional housing program to be a model for the State.
Luis Faustino: Diocese of Venice has 15,000 inmates - everyone want to come to Pinellas!
Frank Kopczynski: Dade County has more mentally ill population than any other county in Florida and
their services are the worst in the State.
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Tom Armstrong: sex offender, out for 8 months, living at Palace MHP. Has his own business with a fulltime employee. Is now offering free ESL classes at the Palace every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. Tom was a
high school teacher and also taught ESL in prison and has a full curriculum. His long term goal is to help
those who cannot defend themselves in the "system" due to language barriers.
Ray Williams: Effective 6/1/07, there will be a homeless shelter available for females only who have
mental disorders. Ray will give Frank Kopczynski all information for dissemination. Bob Dillinger has
assigned Ray to also work with Baker Act cases.
Frank Kopczynski: PERC has filed an application with Charity Cars to provide cars to charity to the
Coalition’s clients that qualify and also created a revenue string with "GIVE" Inc. where a portion of the
sale goes to PERC.
No further business. Meeting Adjourned.
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