Imperial County Grand Jury
2021-2022
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
There is no reason to believe based on the filing of Mr. Heuberger’s Statements of Economic Interests – Form 700, filed with Imperial County and the State of California, that there is a conflict of interest between his consulting business and his duties as Director of LAFCO.
F2:
The updated Medical Facilities located within each “yard” allows for speeder care, vice having to transport the inmates to the central Medical facility.
F3:
The Grand Jury was able to inspect CEN with no restrictions. Staff was very open to answering questions.
F4:
Due to the age of building and budget priorities, some areas were not as deinstitutionalized as staff would prefer. A less-dreary paint job, decorations, and furnishings that do not compromise security would improve the morale of the residents and staff.
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Replace and repair with updated glass material to stand up to the Imperial Valley heat.
R2:
It is recommended that the same level of staffing and training be maintained, to ensure the same quality of treatment and supervision is provided for inmates. REQUIRED RESPONSES: No response is required as Centinela State Prison is a State Agency. DISCLAIMER: Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. -27- 2021-2022 IMPERIAL COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Imperial County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Imperial County Jail ANNUAL INSPECTION JUSTIFICATION California State Law mandates that the Civil Grand Jury (Grand Jury) will inspect all prison and jail facilities on a yearly basis. -28- 2021-2022 IMPERIAL COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT
R3:
Submit a budget request for the repair or replacement of the non-operable computers in the classroom. With distance learning becoming more common, this is a necessity for the juveniles to continue their education.
R4:
Facility maintenance for the county should be consulted to look into making the necessary requested changes to the facility which fall within the allocated building maintenance budget. -36- 2021-2022 IMPERIAL COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT REQUIRED RESPONSES: Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the grand jury requests responses from the following governing bodies within 90 days: Imperial Valley Juvenile Hall: R1, R2, R3, R4 Please submit an official response to the Civil Grand Jury Foreperson, P.O. Box 296, El Centro, CA, 92244 DISCLAIMER: Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. -37- All communications to the Civil Grand Jury are CONFIDENTIAL under state law Imperial County Civil Grand Jury CITIZEN COMPLAINT FORM See the instructions and FAQs for information about how and whether you should complete this form. SECTION A: COMPLAINANT CONTACT INFORMATION All information you provide, including your identity, will be kept confidential. This part is optional if you wish to make an anonymous complaint. However, please keep in mind that the Civil Grand Jury will not be able to contact you, among other factors you should consider. Please see Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) #5 in the instructions to learn more. YOUR FULL NAME: ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, AND ZIP CODE: PHONE NUMBER(S) / OTHER CONTACT: SECTION B: SUBJECT OF MY COMPLAINT Please be clear if your complaint is against an entity/agency, a specific individual, or both. The Civil Grand Jury only has jurisdiction over certain entities and officials within Imperial County. See FAQ #3 to learn more. NAME(S) / TITLE(S) / ENTITY OR AGENCY NAME: ADDRESS OF ENTITY OR FACILITY / LOCATION INVOLVED: PHONE NUMBER / EXTENSION, IF KNOWN: SECTION C: MY COMPLAINT Describe the facts and circumstances of your complaint in your own words. Please be specific rather than making broad or vague statements. Include important details such as dates, times, locations, witnesses, names, etc. Your complaint can be in any format you prefer, as long as it can be understood by the Civil Grand Jury. There is no word limit. CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE ► REV 3/22 All communications to the Civil Grand Jury are CONFIDENTIAL under state law SECTION C: MY COMPLAINT (CONTINUED) □ My complaint is continued on ______ attached sheet(s) SECTION D: DESIRED ACTION/OUTCOME (OPTIONAL) Please briefly explain what action you would like the entity/individual(s) involved and/or the Civil Grand Jury to take to resolve or address your complaint. Please see FAQ #2 to learn about the limits of the Civil Grand Jury’s authority. SECTION E: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) □ I am currently involved in or aware of active litigation (court proceedings) regarding the subject matter of my complaint □ I believe that my complaint involves a crime that was committed (Notice: Your complaint may be referred to the District Attorney if a criminal matter; it is a misdemeanor under Pen. Code §148.5(d) to knowingly file a false report of a crime) □ □ I fear that I may be subjected to: physical harm - and/or - retaliation if my identity is revealed as the complainant IF YES TO ANY ABOVE, EXPLAIN: □ I have included or attached supporting documentation with this complaint (Do not submit original documents) SECTION F: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE This part is optional if you are submitting an anonymous complaint, but please indicate today’s date below. Checking the box below is optional. To learn more about the legal consequences of lying on this form, see FAQ #4. □ By checking this box, I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing and any submitted documentation is true and correct. X: DATE: Civil Grand Jury DO NOT WRITE HERE / FOR CIVIL GRAND JURY USE ONLY U.S. Mail: PO Box 296 VIA: □ US MAIL □ DROP BOX □ EMAIL □ OTHER:____________ El Centro, CA 92244 REC.:_______ / _______ / 20 _______ BY: □ FOREPERSON □ SECRETARY Drop Box: 940 Main St, El Centro, CA 92243 NOTES: : THIS FORM WILL BECOME PART OF THE CIVIL GRAND JURY’S CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS REV 3/22 Imperial County Civil Grand Jury INSTRUCTIONS / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS For the Citizen Complaint Form Communications from the public can provide valuable information to the Civil Grand Jury. Any person may submit a completed complaint form to request that the Civil Grand Jury conduct an investigation or inquiry. A complaint must be in writing and is treated as confidential. The use of this form is optional but recommended by the Civil Grand Jury. INSTRUCTIONS: Complete the form clearly so that it can be understood by others. Keep a copy for your records. Any documentation submitted will not be returned. Attach additional sheets of paper if you run out of space in a section. Section A: Provide sufficient information for the Civil Grand Jury to be able identify and contact you. Section B: Identify the entity, agency, individual, etc. which your complaint is about. See FAQ #3. Section C: Write out your complaint in full, with as many details as possible, such as dates, places, and witnesses. Section D: Briefly state what you would like done about your complaint. This question is optional. Section E: If any of the statements in this section apply to you or your complaint, check the appropriate box(es). If you have additional information or context, briefly explain or elaborate in the space provided. Section F: Sign and date your form. Checking the box to submit the form under penalty of perjury is optional but is suggested if you are making a truthful complaint. See FAQ #4. Return the completed form using any method listed. To make an anonymous complaint: Skip Section A and do not sign in Section F. See FAQ #5. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) FAQ #1: What is the Civil Grand Jury? FAQ #3: Who/what can the Civil Grand Jury investigate? ▪ A body of 19 Imperial County citizens appointed by the superior court to provide oversight as an ▪ The subject of your complaint must be an independent watchdog for a term of one year. agency/official/institution within Imperial County. ▪ The California Constitution requires a grand jury ▪ The Civil Grand Jury has no jurisdiction over any to be empaneled for each county in the state. federal agency, official, program, or decision. ▪ This grand jury only deals with civil local/county ▪ The Civil Grand Jury has no jurisdiction over any matters and not criminal prosecutions. court, judge, or state agency/official, with the sole ▪ The Civil Grand Jurors collectively determine exception of the State Prisons within the county. what they will look into and must issue a final FAQ #4: What are the legal consequences of report at the end of their term with findings and submitting a complaint? recommendations based on their investigations. ▪ If you check the box in Section F, your complaint will FAQ #2: What authority does the Civil Grand be under oath and subject to the criminal penalties Jury have? for perjury (a felony) should you knowingly lie. ▪ Conducts investigations (findings published in the ▪ Other laws exist regarding false statements to the final report) and smaller inquiries (findings not jury. If interviewed, you may be put under oath. published) into matters within its jurisdiction: ▪ Consult sections 888 through 939 of the Penal Code -Corrupt or willful misconduct by public officials and/or a licensed attorney for legal advice. -Condition/management of jails and prisons FAQ #5: Can I make a complaint anonymously? -Operations, accounts, records, and equipment of the agencies/officials of county government ▪ Yes, but do consider that your identity will be - Books and records of any incorporated city or protected by state law if you make a complaint. The joint powers agency in the county Civil Grand Jury can admonish people to maintain ▪ Agencies must respond to recommendations confidentiality under penalty of contempt of court. made by the Civil Grand Jury in its final report. ▪ Anonymous complaints may be viewed as less ▪ Has the legal right to inspect public records in the credible, depending on the circumstances. county and can obtain subpoenas for evidence or FAQ #6: Will I receive a response? testimony under oath. ▪ Can perform inspections as well as confidential ▪ You will be contacted only if the Civil Grand Jury interviews to protect the identity of complainants. requests more information from you. ▪ Can initiate legal proceedings to remove certain ▪ Due to confidentiality, the Civil Grand Jury does not government officers from office for misconduct. comment on pending investigations. You may have ▪ The Civil Grand Jury has no authority to question to wait until the final report is published to see if your or force agencies/officials to do discretionary acts. complaint was investigated and any outcome. See past final reports and learn more at: www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/general-information/grand-jury REV 3/22 2021-2022 IMPERIAL COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT //END OF REPORT//