San Diego County Adult Detention Facilities Conditions and Management

The Sheriff’s Department deputy detention staff has an imbalance in experience levels and facility assignments. Fact: The Sheriff’s Department recently purchased four scanners and trained selected staff in their use.

Scanners act as a deterrent to the smuggling of forbidden items into correctional facilities.

The line-up room can be converted for use as a video conferencing room for both misdemeanor and felony arraignments when appropriate.

The control panel video cameras should be replaced.

A family visitation area is homelike and accommodating for inmates and their families. COMMENDATION The Grand Jury commends staff at LCDRF for its work in implementing innovative programs, maintaining this facility and creating an atmosphere that is cohesive and cooperative. VISTA DETENTION FACILITY DISCUSSION The Vista Detention Facility (VDF) opened in 1978 and is physically connected to the Vista Superior Court, Vista Sheriff’s Station and the North County Law Library. This proximity enables inmates to attend court proceedings without the need for transportation. VDF has a court ordered Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) capacity of 825 inmates, and is classified as a Type II Facility by the BSCC. A Type II Facility houses inmates pending arraignment, during trial, and serving sentences. With the passage of Assembly Bill 109, which forced statewide reductions in State prison populations while placing additional burdens on County jails, this facility has seen a slight increase in the number of inmates. The average daily population is 824; the maximum population is 886. The average length of stay is 74 days for sentenced inmates and 5 to 4 days for prisoners awaiting sentencing. The longest serving inmate has served 1,196 days. The post- realignment figures are:  Average daily population is 824  Maximum population: 918 on 2-19-2013  Average length of stay: 65.3 (sentenced) 9.1 (not sentenced)  Longest serving inmate: projected release date of 5-20-2019 VDF is the only facility that houses both male and female pre-trial arrestees on both felony and misdemeanor charges. For Fiscal Year 2013/14, 22,495 new bookings were initiated at VDF4. The inmate population at the time of our visit included:5 Inmates identified as gang members: 209 Inmates held by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE): 15 Inmates in protective custody: 139 The facility has been retrofitted twice. In 1989 it was expanded by an additional 576 beds, making a total of 886. The facility is comprised of two floors with four levels counting the mezzanines and basement. Maintenance: A visual observation during the tour revealed aging of the facility in several areas. There were hanging ceiling tiles and, tears, holes, and gaps in between tiles. Laundry: This area has ample storage and shelving for the placement of the linens, uniforms of inmates and other washed items. There were three washers and three dryers that had been installed recently. Medical: This section is staffed by one full time and one part time physician (contracted), 32 nurses with three vacancies, and four administrative staff. The services provided are dental, psychiatry, mental health, X-rays, and around- the- clock emergency services. All inmates are screened upon arrival to detect any illnesses. Inmates who have infectious diseases are quarantined immediately. They will remain in quarantine until their health problems are resolved. San Diego Sheriff’s Fact Sheet provided to Grand Jury. San Diego County Sheriff’s Fact Sheets prepared for use of the Grand Jury 14 Inmates are informed of all rules and regulations to including hours of medical appointments. Regulations are placed in strategic locations for viewing. There is a segregated set of cells for the elderly. The shower areas in these modules are ADA6 compliant. Inmates with assistive equipment are accommodated based on their needs. The facility has a miniature pharmacy where medications are maintained under lock and key. All prescriptions are written by a physician and filled at the pharmacy. The space for the pharmacy is small and cramped but adequate for its purpose. In calendar year 2014 there was one suicide at this facility.7 Video Conferencing: This facility has the capability of video conferencing between inmates and their legal counsel via a monitor. There are discussions ongoing to extend this program to include Behavioral Health Services of the County Health & Human Services Agency. Video conferencing reduces the number of inmates being transported to court or to medical facilities. It also reduces the need for staff members to leave the facility and strengthens security. Video conferencing would also be cost effective by reducing inmate movement. Inmate Modules: The modules in place are similar throughout the County of San Diego; there are two floors cells and two-person bunk beds. Each module contains 32 beds with tables on the ground floor. A single deputy monitors the modules and the inmates from a control station. There are three modules separated by access doors. All of the command center panels have been refurbished and are routinely inspected for any maintenance required. The video cameras have limited recording and do not have zoom capability. There are no cameras in the individual cells. Incentive based housing: Inmates who wish to improve their stay at VDF volunteer for this program. Those accepted will receive added benefits during their stay. This program provides added articles, which while minor to the average citizen, are luxuries for the inmate. Articles such as an extra blanket, a pillow, extra pay, extended recreation time, better movies on television, and games are used as incentives. The inmates in this program have a separate sleeping area where they also store their personal items in a miniature hard plastic box hanging from their bed. It isn’t locked, providing easy access for inspection by deputies. Americans with Disabilities Act 7 Information provided by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department 15 Segregated Housing: This facility is equipped with a section for inmates who must be segregated for various reasons. These inmates are isolated in single cells 23 hours daily with one hour of movement within their area. They are not permitted visitors and there are other restrictions. Use of Force: Incidents involving the “Use of force” are documented and investigated. Table 7 Use of Force Vista Jail8 Facility # # of force Hand Impact OC Less Taser Weapon Chair incidents used incidents Control Weapon Spray Lethal Discharged Displayed restraint VDF 123 143 87 0 14 16 13 10 1 Hand on Control – Using Physical Force – Impact Weapon – Making Body Contact – OC Spray – Pepper Spray9 Educational/Vocational Training: The existing classroom has a capacity of 25 inmates. The GED program is contracted to the Grossmont Union High School District for all San Diego County Sheriff’s Detention Facilities. Teachers are hired to provide class instruction for those inmates who wish to attain their GED. There were at least twelve computers visible for training in the various programs available. Training is offered Monday through Thursday in the afternoon. Classes are provided in Adult Basic Education, Reading Legacies, Stress Reduction, Thinking for Change, Legal Research Assistance, HIV Education, Alcohol Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Veterans Affairs. Arrangements are made for those who do not complete classes in prison to complete them outside the facility after their release. Currently there are no vocational training classes. In the future it is anticipated that janitorial, barber, and welding courses will be offered. Scanner: A scanner was recently installed at this facility. The addition of the scanner should enhance security measures to assist officers in maintaining a clean and sober facility. It is anticipated that all facilities in the Sheriff’s Department will eventually have scanners installed. Veterans Moving Forward Program: Two years ago the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) was in discussion with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and community providers. The State of California had started a Veterans Court Program in 2011. A Veterans Administration justice outreach specialist from San Diego suggested to the Sheriff’s Department that it implement a program for veterans in the detention facilities in the County. San Diego County Sheriff’s Fact Sheet provided to Grand Jury. San Diego County Sheriff’s Department stats sheet provided to Grand Jury. The Veterans Moving Forward program began on November 1, 2013. The program has 16 cells with 32 beds and 2 inmates per cell. There were 60-80 inmates waiting to be reassigned to this veteran’s module at the time of the Grand Jury’s visit. The module for veterans is decorated with a flag representing each branch of service. There are works of art hanging along the walls on each floor. These paintings were done by a deputy and provide a model for some inmates to contribute military/patriotic artwork. A counselor from the Veterans Administration is assigned to this module. Classes are held daily. The topics include substance abuse, stress management, career planning, mentoring, financial planning, and journalism. Each inmate is expected to participate in all programs available to them. The most common branches of service for participants are the U.S. Marine Corps and the U. S. Navy. The most common crimes for which they are incarcerated are use, sale or possession of a controlled substance (12) and burglary/theft (8). Upon release, military inmates are fitted with business suits donated from the Second Chance Program. They are photographed in their suits before they are released. They have successfully completed their stay and are expected to change their lives and start a new direction. Politicians, local government and military officials, and community and non-profit organizations have all applauded this program and support its continuation. American Combat Veterans of War10, Veterans Village of San Diego11 and Interfaith Community Services12 are among the more than 20 community based organizations contributing. This program has been such a success that the San Diego Sheriff’s Department added a second program in November 2014. COMMENDATION The 2014/2015 San Diego County Grand Jury commends the staff at this facility. It has shown veterans that their service has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. GEORGE F. BAILEY DETENTION FACILITY DISCUSSION George F. Bailey Detention Facility was opened in 1993 and had a rating capacity of 1,380 inmates. The average daily population is 1,774, and sworn staff is 220. This maximum-security facility is the largest jail operated under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff. 10 www.acvow.org 11 www.vvsd.net 12 www.interfaithservices.org 17 This facility houses a very diverse population of inmates, including some with special housing needs. At the time of the Grand Jury visit this facility had three units of distinct special management inmates. The current rating level of inmates in the Administrative Housing units is level 4 (high) through level 6, (the highest). Inmates are in their cells 23 hours a day, with one hour dayroom time and three hours a week of outdoor recreation time. AB 109 Realignment: As part of the AB 109 REALIGNMENT, in 2011 this facility experienced increases in both average daily population and the average length of stay as shown by the following statistics: Pre Realignment: Average daily population: 1604 Longest serving inmate: 365 Days Post Realignment: Average daily population: 1642 Longest serving inmates: Two with a projected release date of 1/26/2021 Modules/Quads: There are six modules, referred to as “Quads”. George Bailey is the only facility with quads. The Grand Jury found there is a lack of experienced deputies who rotate out and are replaced by deputies newly entering the Department. Lunch is served to inmates by use of rolled carts loaded with individual lunch packs. They are set up on the main floor and inmates are released by tier groups. Each tier group consists of 80 inmates. This arrangement permits the deputy to operate in a manageable environment. From the control station deputies are able to view activity on each tier of the facility. The latrine and showers are visible through an open glass system to insure the inmates are not involved in illegal activities. Administrative Segregation and Mental Health: Inmates in the administrative segregation module include gang members, mental patients, drug abusers, murder suspects, high-risk inmates, and inmates with other special needs. Inmates are in individual cells based on their risk level. There are a number of inmates that are awaiting transfer to a State Mental Health Hospital as determined by a forensic psychiatrist evaluation in conjunction with the courts. It is not uncommon for inmates to be awaiting a bed at these facilities for many months due to lack of state mental health beds. Deputies are unable to determine the mental stability of any inmate because they are not trained to do so. At the time of the Grand Jury’s visit it was reported that Patton State Hospital had not taken any further transfers from the Sheriff’s Department because beds were not available. The Mental Health Services Act, as amended in 201213, provides guidelines and funding for mental health services for adults who are mentally ill and/or disabled. Scanner: A scanner has been installed and training was conducted for staff deputies from each of the facilities selected for installation. The scanner at this facility is under lock and key and has restricted access. There are problems with the interpretation of images on the monitor. Not every inmate who is transferred to this facility is processed through the scanner. An inmate needs to stand still while the scanner moves across his body. Some inmates are refusing to stand still which limits the scanner’s effectiveness. Since the inception of the use of the scanners, there have been several highly dangerous items discovered during imaging. Assaults and Escapes: There were two assaults on deputies during the previous eight months prior to the visit of the Grand Jury. Eight inmates initiated the assaults. The inmates reportedly set up two Deputies and then assaulted them. PREA compliance: There was one active complaint relative to Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA.). It was being investigated as the Grand Jury was touring the facility. The complaint was initiated three weeks prior to our tour. The complaint initially appeared without merit. Further investigation revealed additional evidence and it is being followed through to its conclusion. Two additional complaints had been made and those were found to be without merit. Sex Offenders: At the time of the Grand Jury visit two local sexual predators were confined in the medical section, an area with eight beds. Transgender inmates are housed by themselves in a dedicated section of the facility. Staffing: Staffing is a major concern at this facility. It appears that most of the experienced Deputies have been reassigned and newer Deputies with lesser experience are replacing them. FACTS AND FINDINGS Fact: Mental health services or evaluations are incomplete at GBDF. 13 http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/mh/Pages/MH_Prop63.aspx 19 Fact: The GBDF facility has a high degree of use of force due to the nature and violent behavior of the inmates. Fact: The San Diego Sheriff’s Department houses inmates with mental disabilities. Fact: There is a wait time that may last months for inmates scheduled to be transferred to the Patton State Psychiatric Hospital for mental health needs. Fact: GBDF is not equipped with the same specialized treatment systems of Patton State Psychiatric Hospital.

GBDF facility is not equipped to render complete mental health services to all inmates who have mental disabilities. Fact: Some inmates refuse to stand still to be scanned by staff.

The images produced in the monitor of the scanner are difficult to interpret by staff because they are fuzzy, causing it to be under-utilized and ineffective.