Modoc County Grand Jury

2024-2025

2 reports

Findings & Recommendations 6 findings
F1: Volunteer-driven ballot transportation lacks formal security oversight which can yield perceived concerns.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1: All efforts be made to move Staff continue to seek County will continue to advocate for the building of the new facility alternative solutions to legislation to use funds from other counties forward by October, 2024, move this forward. with active grants. County continues to work on updated needs assessment.
F2: Staffing redundancy is insufficient, potentially jeopardizing continuity of operations.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2: Installation of cameras that Proposal will be brough forward for funding Out for bid and cover all areas of the building and implementation seeking grant funding. be installed by January 2025.
F3: Staffing shortages, particularly among female deputies, remain an ongoing challenge due to a general lack of interested or qualified candidates for rural, remote positions.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3: Board of Supervisors Funds will be approved in 2024/25 budget Progress has been approve funding to maintain using resiliency funding and Criminal Justice made and facility and update the plumbing and Temporary Construction to complete compliant with current electrical of the current jail. improvements. BSCC review.
F4: WHO DO YOU THINK THE GRAND JURY SHOULD CONTACT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE #: ____________________ ________________________ __________________________ ____________________ ________________________ __________________________ ____________________ ________________________ __________________________
Related Recommendations (1)
R4: Programs be offered to the Sheriff’s Office will continue to recruit female Inroads are being community and the county to officers and take over the high school public made but challenge encourage females to become safety program as an opportunity to conduct remains. deputies by January 2025. recruiting at the high school level. Individuals with behavioral health issues are spending more time in county jails due to current laws, the current delay in the court
F5: REASON TO CONTACT THE ABOVE:________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
Related Recommendations (1)
R5: A full-time mental health system to process inmates. County has MOU Ongoing issue, but staff person would better with, and State contracts with, Modoc County personnel are working service inmates with mental Health Dept to provide services in the jail. together. health needs. This is becoming the standard for jail facilities. Correctional staff work closely with Behavioral Health and receive four hours of behavioral health training annually.
F6: WHAT RESULT DO YOU WANT FROM THE GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ PLEASE ATTACH ANY CORRESPONDENCE OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION THAT WOULD BE PERTINENT TO THIS COMPLAINT. Among the many powers and responsibilities of the Grand Jury is the investigation of citizen complaints to assure that all branches of County government are being administered efficiently, honestly and in the best interests of its citizens. All Complaints submitted to the grand jury will be treated in the strictest of confidence. ________________________________ _______________________ Signature of Complainant Date
Related Recommendations (1)
R6: Immediate repairs/replacement are needed Progress has been for all the cracked windows in Extra help staff have been retained to made and facility the doors, especially the mental address maintenance items. compliant with current health and sobering cell doors, BSCC review. windows and wall. 2023-24 Grand Jury Report Responses, June 4, 2025 2024-25 Modoc Grand Jury Reports Ten-Year Lookback at Grand Jury Reports SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND This year, the Modoc County Grand Jury conducted a 10-year lookback on Grand Jury activities and found some alarming issues. First and foremost, the Grand Jury was unable to find any report written by the 2021-22 or 2022-23 Grand Juries. Further, the Grand Jury was unable to find responses to numerous Findings and Recommendations. As noted previously, State law requires responses to Findings and Recommendations.
Findings & Recommendations 11 findings
F1: The facility is in relatively good condition, but needs to be modified from an incarceration facility to house firefighters, with provision for co-ed habitation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3: Relocation within the facility and equipment modernization (already in progress at the time of this writing) as well as additions to staff will improve response.
F2: The administration building will be opened up inside to better utilize space
F3: The barracks have been freshened on the lower level and are being used. The upper level is currently being freshened. Sleeping quarters, restrooms and showers are co-ed, with procedures for privacy in place. Showers are now private. Max capacity is about 130. Cell service and Wi-Fi are being improved for the site.
F4: Eventually 5 cooks/helpers will be on staff. Some cleaning/upgrading is needed, otherwise the kitchen is in good order.F5. The recreation room will be upgraded as time allows.
F5: Proposal for the construction of a new Modoc County Jail was submitted and a state grant approved in the amount of $24,516,000. Final approval for release of funding and start of construction is in the process of being finalized.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5: The Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) Plan is an integral part of the funding proposal and should be implemented as soon as possible.
F6: The training room is being upgraded and is currently utilized. It will be available for use by other government agencies. There is currently mutual training offered for local fire departments. 10
F7: Tool room is still stocked with hand tools and power equipment as in CCC days.F8. Truck and equipment building remain utilized. All heavy equipment from CCC days remains on site. A mechanic will eventually be on site.
F8: It is anticipated the new facility, added programs, (and meet Title 15 staffing requirements regarding female staffing) will require the addition of two full time staff. 13
Related Recommendations (2)
R3: Relocation within the facility and equipment modernization (already in progress at the time of this writing) as well as additions to staff will improve response.
R6: The prison facility needs to increase the number of female staff in order to accommodate the processing and supervision of female prisoners.
F9: The road into the camp will eventually be paved, and the camp parking improved over time.
F10: Workman’s Compensation cost is a major budget item ($21,000 annually). The board is attempting to pool this item with Cal Fire to reduce the charge rate.
F11: Equipment age ranges from 1977 to 2008, all carrying auxiliary pumps. Priority is given to ongoing maintenance with annual preventative maintenance a requirement. All maintenance is performed locally, with the exception of a 2004 truck needing to be maintained in Sacramento.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3: Relocation within the facility and equipment modernization (already in progress at the time of this writing) as well as additions to staff will improve response.
Additional Recommendations 3

Not linked to specific findings.

R1: The nature of this report was to respond to Community fears due to the closure of the Devils Garden Conservation Camp and therefore is directed more as an informational report. The Facility, under CalFire remains a viable asset to the local community and economy. Cal Fire will remain a large employer and the level of work accomplished will see improvement due to the caliber of workers. Fire suppression for the northeast of the state will see improved response times. There is a clear sense of Cal Fire wanting the community to know that they are here with us, and for us. INVITED/REQUIRED RESPONSES: Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05, the Grand Jury requests responses as follows: From the following governing bodies (within 60 days): None as this was for community information only. 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. 11 -2020 MODOC COUNTY JAIL ISSUES AND RESOLUTIONS
R2: Due to Assembly Bill 109 legislation, “shifting” prisoners from state prisons to local jails created the need for additional beds, placing additional burden on Modoc County. Managing minor infractions by not processing into jail, rather through court appearance has relieved the number of persons incarcerated. Planned rehabilitation through work programs will likewise reduce the prison population. Continuation and expansion of these policies are strongly recommended.
R4: Review of the original needs assessment should be revisited to ascertain (if allowed) minor changes could be made.