Del Norte County Grand Jury

2016-2017

13 reports

Findings & Recommendations 6 findings
F1: The lack of a strategic plan or mission statement to guide the Community Corrections Partnership limits the effectiveness in attaining the goal of reducing recidivism and the intent of AB109 mandates.
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F2: Public awareness of the CCP is limited due to an unpredictable meeting schedule. The public is not informed of the work and progress of the CCP and partner agencies.
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F3: Incomplete oversight from the entities responsible for the assessment and evaluation of the Chief Probation Officer results in a lack of accountability for the position.
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F4: Vacant positions on the CCP board are not filled in a timely manner creating an imbalance.
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F5: There are few rehabilitation programs at the local level, which contributes to recidivism.
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F6: There is no formal policy for choosing who is released early from the jail. It is left to the discretion of the Sheriff’s Department to decide who is released to free up space.
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Additional Recommendations 6

Not linked to specific findings.

R1: With input from the public the CCP Executive Committee should create and implement a comprehensive strategic plan and mission statement to guide the CCP. This will allow the CCP to focus the development and implementation of programs and services to better serve AB109 clients and the community leading to the successful reintegration of inmates and supervisees into the community.
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R2: The Grand Jury recommends that the CCP agendas, minutes and supporting documentation are posted on the Del Norte County website in a timely manner. The Grand Jury recommends that the CCP perform an annual presentation to the Board of Supervisors and public on the state of Community Corrections in Del Norte County.
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R3: Del Norte County and the Del Norte Superior Court should adopt a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the roles and responsibilities of both agencies in the supervision, accountability, evaluation and professional development of the Chief Probation Officer.
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R4: The CCP should fill all of the vacant positions, allowing for a variety of viewpoints. The CCP would be advised to locate a public participant to sit on the CCP committee, preferably a current or former probationary client.
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R5: The CCP should re-examine the establishment of a Day Reporting Center to assist AB109 clients in getting support, supervision, drug testing, electronic monitoring, mental health and drug/alcohol dependency treatment services.
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R6: The Sheriff’s Department should create a formal policy for the early release of inmates from the county jail to allow for increased reporting and statistical information to be gathered while coordinating with partner agencies ensuring public safety.
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Findings & Recommendations 6 findings
F1: The staff was very helpful, informative, and accommodated all inquiries.
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F2: Bar O Boys Ranch is a 42-bed facility with seven boys currently in residence. 17
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F3: Repairs are needed for the kitchen ventilation system. At the time of the tour, necessary parts had been ordered.
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F4: The kitchen was found to be clean and well utilized.
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F5: Two inmates escaped from the facility on January 24, 2017. They were apprehended within 24 hours, held at Pelican Bay, and returned back to Susanville for reclassification.
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F6: CDCR takes eligible offenders from the County Jail through a program called County Borders and relocates them to Alder Camp. While inmates are being trained in firefighting, the cost is $80/day/inmate. Once their training is completed, the cost is $10/day/inmate.
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Additional Recommendations 3

Not linked to specific findings.

R1: The Grand Jury recommends that the County investigate the possibility of offsetting the jail population and cost by taking advantage of the County Borders program.
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R2: The Grand Jury recommends to the Board of Supervisors that the barracks be professionally inspected and that any and all necessary repairs be made.
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R3: A roofing inspection is recommended for the main hall to include the lower gym and pottery area.
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Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.

Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.

Findings & Recommendations 5 findings
F1: The Abatement budget is insufficient to accomplish the goal of eliminating blight in Del Norte County.
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F2: Processing of cases by Code Enforcement requires time & judicious discretion concerning the pace and expectation of compliance.
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F3: Education is lacking in proper means of trash disposal and creating a culture of community pride.
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F4: There is no set dollar amount for Code Enforcement in the DNSWMA budget though it is included as a line item in their budget.
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F5: Code Enforcement investigates only complaints received from citizens of the county.
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Additional Recommendations 8

Not linked to specific findings.

R1: Increase the budget allocation for Code Enforcement abatement.
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R2: Continue judicious prioritizing & processing of Code Enforcement nuisance/blight abatement complaints.
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R3: Increase community education about proper trash disposal through radio, newspaper, and outreach.
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R4: Continue seeking grants through Calrecycle.
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R5: Complete revision of County Nuisance Code with clear definitions, and a mission statement.
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R6: If additional funds are secured, create an account that could be used to fund abatements. Monies collected from fines and liens would be deposited into this account also rather than depositing them into the county general fund, so that the account is replenished and would result in a zero net loss over time.
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R7: Establish an agreement between DNSWMA and Code Enforcement for a set amount of financial assistance.
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R8: There are many violations that are not reported by citizens that Code Enforcement could be the complainant on. Violations that relate to public safety issues should be acted upon promptly. EXHIBIT 1A Flow Chart Public vs. Private Land Complaint received Identify Private Property or Conditions Property Use Standard observed Owner Enforcement Process Public Property, Identify Agency Responsible for Maintenance Non-County Property County Property The other agency notified of County issue, case closed. Identify the Division Controlled or Major issues may be brought responsible for maintenance other to the County BOS for a and send notification of issue formal request to the other to that division agency to take action. Roads CDD-Code Enforcement Parks & Building Maintenance County Maintained Roads Non-maintained Roads and and County Drainage Paper Streets Public Recreational Facilities System Unimproved Parcels County Buildings Prioritize and review by Department Head High Priority Use existing funds Normal Priority Low Priority or apply to BOS Address in rotation using Address when time and for additional existing funding resources are available funds
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Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.

Findings & Recommendations 1 findings
F1: Jail capacity is 165 beds made up of eight male housing units and two female housing units.
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Findings & Recommendations 2 findings
F1: At the time of the tour the 110 bed facility housed 78 inmates.
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F2: The facility was neat, clean, and orderly.
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Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.

Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.

Findings & Recommendations 7 findings
F2: Four teams of three correctional officers and two technicians working twelve- hour shifts (two day and two night) occur daily unless there are staffing absences.
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F3: A self-imposed cap is in place of 105 inmates due to lack of adequate staffing.
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F4: Inmates are housed based on compatibility to mitigate violence within the jail.
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F5: The kitchen and kitchen equipment were clean, and food storage areas were sanitary and vermin free.
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F6: A strip of baseboard was pealed back from the wall in one of the hallways. The Commander stated that this was on the list to be fixed within the next few weeks.
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F7: In the Commander’s office a leak through the window has caused damage to the windowsill and stained the carpet. This has been a recurring issue for years until recently when a maintenance worker came up with a solution. The window has not leaked during the last several storms.
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F8: Nonviolent offenders are sometimes released early to make room for incoming inmates due to the self-imposed population cap of 105. This cap provides a 35:1 iRnemcaotem tom oeffnicdera rtaiotion.s I n a full jail of 165, the ratio would be 55:1.
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Additional Recommendations 3

Not linked to specific findings.

R1: The Grand Jury recommends that the County Border program be utilized between the County Jail and Alder Camp.
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R2: In order to maintain a safe and compliant detention facility, it is recommended that an additional correctional officer be hired for each shift.
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R3: Continued monitoring is recommended for the leaky window in the CCoommmmanednedr’as toifofinces a nd any and all necessary repairs be completed. The 2016/2017 Del Norte County Grand Jury wants to commend the jail Commander and staff for their dedication in running a well maintained correctional facility and accommodating the jurors schedules for the tour. The Commander’s leadership of and commitment to the facility is recognized and valued by this Grand Jury. Revised: April 18, 2017
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Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.

Findings & Recommendations 3 findings
F1: At the time of the tour the 44 bed facility housed ten wards – seven male and three female.
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F2: The facility was found to be clean and orderly.
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F3: Food is prepared at the County Jail and delivered to the detention facility.
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Additional Recommendations 2

Not linked to specific findings.

R1: The Grand Jury feels this facility is under utilized. It recommends exploring additional utilization of this facility.
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R2: The facility has a large, professional kitchen. It is recommended that food preparation for the facility be prepared on site.
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