Cherifi Orange Countysheriff's Department Sheriff-coroner Don Barnes Office of the Sheriff August 7, 2020 Honorable*

The 2018-2019 Grand Jury recommended that four interview cubicles be constructed by the Orange County Sheriff's Department at the Intake Release Center. The Orange County Sheriff's Department agreed with that recommendation. However, as of the date of the publication of this report, the construction of the four cubicles had not been completed. Response: Disagrees with finding. This statement is inaccurate. The planned construction at the IRC was announced prior to the release of the 2018-019 Grand Jury's report. OCSD identified the need for this change and is in the process of construction. The Grand Jury Report did not contribute to this decision.

Although pregnant inmates were correctly identified by Correctional Health Services during the intake booking process with a pink tag (wristband), they were not consistently assigned to a low bunk or a low tier as is required for pregnant inmates. Response: Disagrees with finding. The Grand Jury's report narrative does not accurately reflect changes made in the past year. The example noted on would be better addressed if the Grand Jury provided specific dates so a proper investigation can be conducted.

At the time of the Grand Jury's visit to the Women's Central Jail, inmates were not issued pink pants to identify them as being pregnant as is required by the current Clothing Identification system. Response: Disagrees with finding. This finding creates a false impression. At the time of the Grand Jury's initial tour in 2019, pink clothing had not yet been issued to pregnant inmates due to the fact that the new classification system was at the beginning stages of implementation. At the request of the Grand Jury, on May 18, 2020 my staff provided a photo of inmates wearing the appropriate clothing. This fact was omitted from the report. Pregnant inmates currently wear pink clothing.

Pregnant inmates were not consistently provided an extra mattress if pregnancy was > 26 weeks as required. Response: Disagrees with finding. Pregnant inmates are provided an extra mattress as required.

There are irregularities with respect to enforcement of the newly implemented policy prohibiting the use of waist restraints on pregnant inmates. Response: Disagrees with finding. The Grand Jury's discussion on Pages 11 and 12 of their report regarding the use of restraints during court transportation relies on old information that does not take into account current policy and procedures. The report should acknowledge the work that has been done and the current state of affairs.

Many inmates choose to launder their clothes in their cells between scheduled clothing exchanges. Response: Agrees with finding. Inmates may choose to rinse their clothing in between exchanges.

Orange County Sheriff's Department Food Services Unit has modified the standard diet for pregnant inmates to address their nutritional dietary needs. Response: Agrees with finding.

Dehydration is common among pregnant inmates in the Central Women's Jail. Response: Disagrees with finding. This is broad statement without substantial documentation to support the allegation. All inmates have regular access to water in their housing units.

Individual units of water are not available for purchase at the jail commissary. Response: Agrees with finding. All inmates have access to water in their housing units. As the Grand Jury was advised, individual units of water cannot be sold to inmates due to security concerns. Water bottles have been used to hide contraband or make alcohol. There have also been instances where inmates have filled bottles with human waste and spray them at the deputies. Inmate Services staff have looked at bagged water, but the packaging was found to be flammable.

Contracted service providers are not aware of and do not have access to the Orange County Jail policies regarding the monitoring and securing of pregnant inmates. Response: Partially disagrees with finding. While there may be instances of contract service providers not being aware of policies regarding the monitoring and securing of pregnant inmates, this finding is overly broad.

Orange County Sheriff's Department may be required to provide emergency medical care to pregnant inmates. Response: Agrees with finding. RECOMMENDATIONS: