Fresno County Grand Jury
2008-2009
Findings & Recommendations
10 findings
F301:
The Board budget cuts to county departments have forced reductions in some critical services vital to the entire community.
F302:
During these dire financial times, the supervisors increased staffing in their own department while they reduced resources in departments that provide critical services.
F303:
One Board Member Assistant is sufficient to maintain the supervisor’s schedule, return constituent calls, and perform general office work.
F304:
The Board Member Assistants do not currently utilize the CAO’s office as the point of contact for information from county departments.
F305:
Board Member Assistants do not keep the CAO informed when gathering and requesting information for their supervisor.
F306:
Naming Board Member Assistants as Deputy CAOs has created a complicated management structure in the CAO’s office. 2008-2009 Fresno County Grand Jury Report #3 – Budget Cuts & Board Assistants Page - 6 of 8 43 3/12/2009
F401:
The state has not implemented a secure wing for inmates at Coalinga Regional Medical Center.
F402:
Valley Fever continues to be an ongoing threat to inmates and staff.
F403:
At the PVSP, the Federal Receivership has converted medical records to an electronic format.
F404:
Doctors do not have adequate office space. FY 08-09 Fresno County Grand Jury Report #4 – Pleasant Valley Prison Page - 4 of 6 59 3/25/2009
Additional Recommendations
5
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
A secure medical wing at CRMC
R2:
Concern over Valley Fever
R3:
Status of federal health receivership FY 08-09 Fresno County Grand Jury Report #4 – Pleasant Valley Prison Page - 2 of 6 57 3/25/2009 A SECURE MEDICAL WING The Coalinga Regional Medical Center currently has no secure medical wing for prisoners from PVSP. Our investigation revealed that when inmates need hospitalization, they are transported to Bakersfield Community Medical Center, approximately one hour away. PVSP has contracted for twenty beds on the fifth floor of the Bakersfield hospital. When these beds are filled, inmates are transported to local hospitals in the surrounding area by correctional staff. This situation greatly impacts staffing and budget at PVSP. There continues to be support from the Coalinga community for a secure wing at Coalinga Regional Medical Center. However, California’s current budgetary problems will impede this effort. VALLEY FEVER Valley Fever is widespread in the Coalinga area. This infection is caused by a fungus that lives in certain arid-type soils. Its spores are released into the air when the soil is disturbed by wind, farming, construction, and other activities. It is an ongoing concern that affects the health of both inmates and staff. Prior to 2003, the prison did not maintain records on Valley Fever. Testimony to the grand jury reported thirteen Valley Fever related deaths in the 2005-2006 years, three deaths in 2007, and no deaths in
R4:
The Receiver has created a program to reduce drug costs by aggressively managing the pharmacy program and will begin an audit of providers and hospitals to find ways to reduce costs of specialty and hospital care,
R5:
An audit system has been in place since November 2008 to track patient- inmates’ access to health care. CONCLUSION The prison population exceeds the bed space for which Pleasant Valley State Prison was originally designed. The location of this prison has increased health risks, adversely affecting both inmates and staff. While medical treatment for Valley Fever has improved, the location of the prison in this area, along with serious budget constraints, make this an ongoing problem. Individual prisons and staff have limited options since they are under the Federal Receivership. The Federal Receiver’s recommendations will be difficult to implement given the current California budget deficit.
Findings & Recommendations
11 findings
F701:
Some members of the Board engage in micromanagement, i.e., perform management functions inappropriate for board members.
F702:
Some individual board members visit the District office to discuss budget and personnel issues with the superintendent and/or staff.
F703:
Board members have little, if any, training in their responsibilities as school board members.
F704:
Board members are not familiar with their District’s policy and procedures manual.
F705:
Some board members violate the confidentiality provisions of the Brown Act.
F706:
Issues not included in the meeting agenda are discussed in open and closed sessions in violation of the Brown Act.
F707:
Some board members criticize personnel in open meetings.
F708:
The Board has created a hostile work environment leading to rapid turnover of leadership at school and District levels.
F709:
The Board has bought out contracts of District administrators, adding to the economic hardship of the school district.
F710:
Family members of board members are employed by the District, resulting in nepotism and conflicts of interest.
F711:
One member of the Board resides outside the boundaries of the Golden Plains Unified School District. 2008-2009 Fresno County Grand Jury Page - 7 of 9 Report #7 – Golden Plains School District 110 6/9/2009