Report - James G. Bowles Juvenile Hall

Comments 7

• CO1
  The Kern County Probation Department should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review.
• CO2
  Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: https://www.kerncounty.com/government/other-agencies/grand-jury
• CO3
  Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website https://www.kerncounty.com/government/other- agencies/grand-jury RESPONSE DEADLINE:
• CO4
  REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: Kern County Board of Supervisors Findings #1, #2 and #7
• CO5
  REQUIRED WITHIN 60 DAYS FROM: Kern County Probation Department Findings #1, #2 and #7
• CO6
  PRESIDING JUDGE SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301
• CO7
  FOREPERSON KERN COUNTY GRAND JURY 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Cal. Penal Code § 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. 2024-2025 Kern County Grand Jury 8 APPENDICES: APPENDIX A 2023-2024 Grand Jury Recommendations: (That pertain to James G. Bowles Juvenile Hall) R1. Expedite approval to end YSO promotional series and create a higher entry salary for newly hired YSOs by October 1, 2024, resulting in reduction in mandatory overtime. (Finding 1) R3. Using the Probation’s Human Resources Department to create and implement a system by June 1, 2024, for conducting exit interviews when an employee departs the organization. Senior Probation Department staff should review exit interviews quarterly and submit an annual report to the Kern County Human Resources Department. (Finding 2) R5. Purchase a standby electrical generator for JGBJH to operate the potable water system. This work should be completed by November 1, 2024. (Finding 4) R7. Repaint the dormitory rooms at JGBJH that have peeling paint by September 1, 2024. (Finding 6) R8. Establish quarterly communication meetings between General Services and the Probation Department starting June 1, 2024, to ensure that both departments are working cohesively on all projects and maintenance requests. (Finding 7) 2024-2025 Kern County Grand Jury 9 APPENDIX B Kern County Board of Supervisors Response to the 2023-2024 Grand Jury Final Report titled: Kern County Probation Department Youth Services Bureau Response to Findings Fl-F7: Kern County agrees with the Grand Jury's findings F2, F4, F5, and F7. Kern County partially disagrees with findings Fl, F3, and F6. For Finding Fl, employee wages are often a central issue in recruitment and retention; however, more information is needed as far as competitiveness with similar positions and possible impacts. Wages are subject to legal requirements for meet and confer with employee representatives and will need to be reviewed in a larger context, including internal and external comparability, compaction issues, available funding, and many other factors. As to Finding 3, while the County agrees the current trailers housing the mental health team at Camp Erwin Owen are aging and in need of replacement, the trailers provide an area for group treatment sessions and individual sessions, as well as office space for mental health staff. The Probation Department has also made temporary alternative spaces available to conduct group and individual sessions with youth to ensure confidentiality pursuant to HIPAA laws. On Finding 6, while the County agrees some rooms are in need of repainting, we do not agree this constitutes a violation of Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Standards. BSCC conducted inspections of all facilities in June of 2023. In BSCC's comprehensive inspection report dated January 24, 2024, no areas of noncompliance were noted. Response to Recommendation: R1: The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors and the Probation Department expedite approval to end the Youth Services Officer (YSO) Promotional Series and create a higher salary for newly hired YSOs by October 1, 2024, resulting in a reduction in mandatory overtime. The recommendation will require further analysis. Terms and conditions of employment are subject to negotiation with designated employee representatives. As the designated negotiators for Kem County, the County Administrative Office and Human Resources Division will examine proposals and make recommendations based on a number of critical factors. The County Administrative Office, Human Resources Division, and the Probation Department will continue conversations to determine the most effective strategies for recruitment and retention of YSOs. R2: The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors and the Probation Department seek re- consideration for funding approval from Measure "K" Oversight Committee by January 15, 2025. The recommendation requires further analysis. Measure "K" is a limited revenue source and approval for funding is dependent on availability. Measure "K" funding was approved for high priority projects and needs. All new Measure "K" funding proposals will be evaluated 2024-2025 Kern County Grand Jury 10 on the priorities on which the public adopted the sales tax measure, strategic planning to enhance the quality of life for residents and improve operations, and strategic deployment to meet demand of services both short- and long-term. The Probation Department has submitted proposals for Measure "K" funding, which will be considered with other proposals for available funds. Additionally, other funding sources may be available to address needs at the Probation Department, which are assessed through the regular budget process. R3: The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors and the Probation Department use its Human Resources Department to create and implement a system by July 1, 2024, for conducting exit interviews when an employee departs the organization. Senior Probation Department staff should review exit interviews quarterly and submit an annual report to the Kern County Human Resources Department. This recommendation will be implemented, but later than July 1, 2024, due to required analysis. The Probation Department agrees exit interviews would benefit both employees and the department by providing a better understanding of potential barriers to recruitment and retention. The Probation Department is committed to researching meaningful ways to conduct the interviews and submit reports to Kern County Human Resources. Internal protocols will need to be established by the Probation Department. At this point, it is unknown what additional technology and other resources are needed to create effective processes; as such, the anticipated implementation date is January 1, 2025. R5: The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors and the Probation Department purchase a standby electrical generator for James G. Bowles Juvenile Hall (JGBJH) to operate the potable water system. This work should be completed by November 1, 2024. The recommendation will be implemented. This project is in the early stages of implementation and is anticipated to be completed in fiscal year 2024-2025. The Board of Supervisors has allocated $725,000 for this generator project. The project has been established with the General Services Division and work is anticipated to begin in late spring of 2024. During the implementation period, if short term power outages arise, the Probation Department will continue to rent portable generators to power the water pump house. Youth will be provided with bottled water, as has been done in the past. R7: The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors and the Probation Department repaint the dormitory rooms at JGBJH that have peeling paint by September 1, 2024. This recommendation will be implemented. Repainting rooms is an ongoing process and is typically handled internally by the Probation Department. As staffing allows, the Probation Department plans to paint the rooms during the installation of new security doors, which began in April 2024. 2024-2025 Kern County Grand Jury 11 R8: The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors and the Probation Department establish quarterly communication meetings between General Services and the Probation Department starting June 1, 2024, to ensure that both departments are working cohesively on all projects and maintenance requests. The recommendation will be implemented. The Probation and General Services departments are both committed to establishing scheduled quarterly meetings to discuss maintenance requests, project proposals and updates, cost estimates, and other subjects to complete projects timely and effectively. 2024-2025 Kern County Grand Jury 12

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.