MINUTES OF MEETING
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION
SUBCOMMITTEE ON HAZARDOUS DUTY SERVICE CREDIT

October 7, 2008

Peter R. Blum, Chairman
Linda Yelmini
Mary Marcial
Sal Luciano

OTHERS PRESENT
Dr. Thomas Woodruff, Director, Retirement Services Division
Jeanne Kopek, Assistant Director, Retirement Services Division
Dan Callahan, Department of Correction, Director of Human Resources
Pam Connelly, Department of Correction, Principal HR Specialist
Deb Ennis, Department of Correction, Fiscal Administrative Manager 1
Elaine Pacheco, Department of Correction, Deputy Director of Parole and Community Services
Joseph Haggan, Department of Correction, Deputy Director of Parole and Community Services
Albert Angeloni, Department of Correction, Correctional Services Manager (Commissary)
Douglas Sauer, Department of Correction, Correctional Services Manager (Commissary)

The meeting began at about 2:00.

The two items on the agenda were requests from the Department of Correction (DOC) for coverage under the hazardous duty provisions of the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) for 1) DOC employees serving in the classification of Deputy Director of Parole and Community Services and 2) for two individual DOC employees, Albert Angeloni and Douglas Sauer who are both employed in the classification of Correctional Services Manager (Commissary).

Dan Callahan provided a copy of a Department of Correction Administrative Directive that he felt illustrated the custodial aspect of the Deputy Director of Parole and Community Services and introduced the incumbents, Elaine Pacheco and Joseph Haggan. Mr. Callahan gave a brief history of the job classification which had been developed with the Department of Administrative Services in 2007. He explained how the duties of these individuals met the custodial or instructional requirements for coverage under SERS hazardous duty provisions. He advised that the incumbents report directly to the Director of the Parole and Community Services Division which has a case load of approximately 4,000; are on call 24 hours; make decisions on remand, back to incarceration or to keep in the community, possible incremental sanctions; have authority to overrule a warden's decision to release under supervision; make decisions regarding the use of GPS tracking technology; occasionally assist in transport; carry firearms and have the same equipment as Parole Officers.

In response to trustees' questions, the incumbents explained that under previous Board of Parole these roles were strictly administrative. They now are involved in day to day operations as well as making daily decisions on remand; if they find that there is a danger to the community they overrule wardens and approve returns to facilities. They have authority to both return a person to prison or to say no, they cannot be released. The Parole Board determines release and sets dates then the cases go to the district office and are assigned to and reviewed by a Parole Officer. Wardens do transitional supervision. The incumbents don't overrule Parole Board decisions but can remand if there is a parole violation. Again in response to a trustee's question, the incumbents advised that the staff members under them as well as the staff member to whom they report are all designated as hazardous duty.

Ms. Yelmini explained to the incumbents that the subcommittee will make a recommendation to the Retirement Commission and the Commission will make the final decision. She further advised them that they can appeal the decision if the request is denied.

Mr. Callahan introduced Ms. Ennis, Mr. Angeloni and Mr. Sauer. He explained that the Correctional Services Manager classification had two parentheticals, industries and commissary and Mr. Angeloni and Mr. Sauer worked in commissary. The custodial aspects of the commissary jobs were outlined: responsibility for hiring all inmate workers; 40 to 50 inmates are in each operation every day; responsible for firing workers and moving them back to the general population; evaluate workers performance; have sole authority over inmate pay; inform inmates of disciplinary action; also provide training and instruction to inmate workers. Mr. Callahan advised that Mr. Angeloni and Mr. Sauer held the only positions in DOC that have authority over inmates but were not considered hazardous duty and that they had received the same training as custodial staff.

Ms. Yelmini explained that for hazardous duty purposes custodial does not mean just any decision making but rather encompasses "in or out, release authority".

Mr. Angeloni further explained the instructional duties of his position. He instructs inmates on work environment which is very strict, informs inmates that they must follow rules or can be fired. He teaches inmates skills they can use when they are released and they graduate to more responsible positions. Inmates can pass a certification program through tests which have been developed by the Correctional Services Managers. In response to a trustee's question, Mr. Angeloni advised that he also supervises 16 Correctional Commissary Operators. He further advised that he does all inmate training, the commissary operators enforce rules.

Mr. Sauer explained that he had been trained by Mr. Angeloni and performs the same duties. The inmates are given the opportunity to learn everything and when they get outside if they have passed certification they will help in getting inmates a job.

Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Yelmini that the subcommittee recommend approval of Mr. Angeloni's and Mr. Sauer's requests for hazardous duty service credit during their service in the classification of Correctional Services Manager (Commissary) .

The subcommittee voted unanimously to approve the motion.

Ms. Yelmini moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano that the subcommittee recommend approval of DOC's request for coverage under the hazardous duty provisions of the SERS and the consequent inclusion in the hazardous duty appendix of the Deputy Director of Parole and Community Services classification.

The subcommittee voted unanimously to approve the motion.

The meeting adjourned at about 3:30.

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