Madera County Grand Jury 2019-2020 Final Report

Recommendations 10

• R1
  The MCGJ recommends that, by the beginning of the fiscal year 21-22, the Department of Corrections secure funding to fill vacant positions.
• R2
  The MCGJ recommends that, by the beginning of the fiscal year 21-22, the MCDC redesign the workflow of the booking/intake area.
• R3
  The MCGJ recommends that, by the beginning of the fiscal year 21-22, Madera County Probation and Department of Corrections investigate an outsourcing option for mental health services.
• R4
  The MCGJ recommends that, by the beginning of fiscal year 21-22 MCDC and Madera County Probation work cooperatively to seek employment opportunities in the local area.
• R5
  The MCGJ recommends that the MCDC continue to work cooperatively with inmates to provide work opportunities to increase a financial support system for released inmates.
• R6
  The MCGJ recommends that the MCDC continue their work in providing open communication to the MCGJ. JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Madera County Grand Jury visited the Madera County Juvenile Detention Center (MCJDC) on October 2, 2019. The visit included observing the interior and exterior of the facility. Access was provided to all requested locations. Overview This facility is for juvenile residents. The Madera County Juvenile Hall is a medium to low- security detention center that is operated locally by the Juvenile Justice Department and holds youth awaiting the determination of punishment for the crimes of which they are accused. Most of the adolescents are detained for less than two years. The Probation Department is also responsible for operation and administration of the Juvenile Hall. Juvenile Hall is a place of detention for juvenile offenders taken into custody within the provisions of Section 602 of the Juvenile Court Law. These young people are detained for their protection or the protection of the community pending and/or serving final disposition of their cases. Programs include temporary 7 detention pending court disposition, holding for other agencies, and varying lengths of residential care. Treatment programs include full-time school within the Juvenile Hall for continuation of education. Staffing During the MCGJ visit, all staff members, as well as the Cadets, were accessible and extremely polite and engaged with the MCGJ. The MCGJ was provided with a very thorough tour of the MCJDC. The MCGJ met many staff members during the tour all of whom were transparent and accommodating, offering to show the MCGJ the facilities and answering questions. It is clear to the MCGJ that the staff of the MCJDC are very proud of the responsibilities they have taken on. Capacity MCJDC has a total capacity of 74 detainees. At the time of the MCGJ visit, there were 22 male and 10 female youth. Several Cadets were graduating on the day of the visit, which MCGJ attended. The average length of detainment is 35 days with the longest detainment time of over three years. The most frequent reasons for detainment are probation violations, crimes against another person, property crimes, and, according to the youth themselves, “poor environment.” Housing The MCGJ found the MCJDC exceptionally clean thanks to the Cadets in charge of housekeeping. The Cadets themselves exhibit pride in maintaining their bunks and living areas clean and orderly. Education, Training, and Behavioral Health Programs offered to youths include computer tablets for cognitive programs, alcohol and drug counseling, and Youth for Christ. Classroom participation is encouraged and recognized. The youth are encouraged to read, write, and express themselves through drawing and writing. Full time teachers are onsite and teach youth in a classroom environment. The youth were engaged and appeared to be proud of what they were accomplishing. The MCGJ was especially impressed with the education program available to the youth. Correctional Academy Program History In 1997, the Madera County Juvenile Correctional Camp, with the support of the Board of Supervisors, began providing service to delinquent youth. In 2010, the initial program was closed and moved into the Juvenile Detention Facility. In 2015, the Correctional Camp program was restructured and formally changed to the Correctional Academy Camp. The Correctional Academy Camp was built as an alternative to California Youth Authority. The Correctional Camp allows the County of Madera to provide local control of youth and provide safety to the community, while holding the youth accountable for their unlawful behavior through a rigid, structured program. Correctional Academy Program (CAP) To be eligible for the Correctional Academy, the Juvenile Court must order a ward committed to the program under Section 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The program is a collaborative effort between the Madera County Probation Department, Madera County Office of 8 Education, Madera County Behavioral Health Services, and volunteers. The program is typically a twelve, eighteen-month, or twenty-four month commitment that includes detention and aftercare phases. The program was developed from a correctional model for defiant youth based in part on military protocol. Once a youth has made the commitment to the camp, the detainees are referred to as "Cadets.” The Academy uses a combination of structure, discipline, physical conditioning, and self- accountability. The approach is considered nurturing in order to emphasize self-control and self- esteem. There are three stages to the custody phase in which the Cadets wear colored shirts according to their rank, from lowest to highest, green, brown, and black. As the Cadets progress through the ranks, detainees receive additional privileges and the shirt color changes. After successful completion of the in-custody phase, Cadets graduate to the aftercare component, and are returned home whenever possible. Graduation exercises for the Cadets feature a presentation by the Academy Color Guard, a prepared speech from each graduating Cadet, and a visual presentation. Graduation exercises attendees include Academy participants, family members, staff, teachers, elected officials, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and Grand Jury members. When returning to home is not possible, Cadets are placed in an alternative living arrangement. Cadets and their families receive counseling services as determined by mental health screening. Madera County Office of Education provides educational services to both Madera County Juvenile Detention Center and Correctional Academy. Title 15 and State of California Department of Education standards are followed. Positive youth development occurs though the following programs: Alternative Education Career and Alternative Education Services (CAES) Live Well Madera Additional funding from the Governor, Supplemental and Concentration funds; $3,000 per year for student attendance. Categories include English Learners, Low income, and Foster Youth. Wards also participate in organized youth sports tournaments including volleyball and soccer. They participate in community events including Wreaths Across America (placing wreathes on veteran’s gravesites), presentation of colors at events, and Cadet Graduations. These activities encourage positive re-enforcement and structure in their daily lives and develop desirable habits as citizens. Physical and Mental Health Madera County contracts with Wellpath for medical services which are provided 12 hours a day, seven days a week. A Registered Nurse is on duty eight hours a day and the remainder of the shift is covered by a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Wards are initially screened by a physician within 96 hours of admission. A mental health clinician is available on site between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. All services provided in the facility meet or exceed the standards required by California Code of Regulations, Title-15. Visitation Program Visitors to the Madera County Juvenile Detention Center must be on the approved visitor list. Visitors must confirm with the facility’s authorities before coming for a visit. Visiting hours are 7:30 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM on weekends. The basic visitation rules require that: • Visitor must not be a prior felon. • Must have a valid government ID. • Children visiting below 16 years of age must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Preparation for Release Conditions for release are primarily dependent upon the youth adhering to and participating in programs available to them. Most go back to the unstable environment from which they came. Some wards go to group homes, Salvation Army, and some enlist in the military. The limited choices after release appear to be the biggest handicap the wards face. The rate of recidivism is 25 percent.
• R7
  The MCGJ recommends that, by the beginning of fiscal year 21-22, additional bus routes be added for Fairmead, LaVina, Berenda, Raymond, North Fork, and Eastern Madera County.
• R8
  The MCGJ recommends that, by the beginning of fiscal year 21-22, a concerted effort be made by SSTAC to recruit volunteers to serve on the SSTAC committee.
• R9
  The MCGJ recommends that, by the beginning of fiscal year 21-22, the annual $500,000 savings be utilized to increase transit service routes in outlying areas; Eastern Madera County, La Vina, Fairmead, Berenda, Raymond, and North Fork.
• R10
  The MCGJ recommends that, by the beginning of fiscal year 21-22, the County Public Works Department proactively seek additional funding, either through grants or minimal fare increases, to brand themselves and actively market their services to improve community outreach and increase ridership.