⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 6 findings
F1
Upon arrival at the facility, we rang the bell and announced our presence. At that time, we were let in through the door into the waiting area. We were not required to show ID, and we were not asked or searched for weapons.
F2
The staffing of officers assigned to the jail has been at a minimum since the last MCGJ inspected the jail back in 2018-2019. It continues to be a problem.
F3
We had the opportunity to interview one of the inmates that was considered an inmate Trustee, meaning he was hand-picked because he followed the rules. He felt that his treatment at the facility was good and had no issues with his safety, food, care, services, or hygiene. 9
F4
We toured the kitchen facility and found it to be very clean and well maintained. They have a full-time chef that prepares meals. The knives were locked up and secure. As mentioned previously, the meat slicer was open and accessible. Trustees were supervised and worked in the kitchen.
F5
We were informed by the officer on duty that they conduct an annual fire/emergency drill “maybe once a year,” but are reluctant to do so due to fears of the inmates knowing too much about the jail procedures.
F6
Paul Roten, from Mono County Public Works was contacted regarding the construction of the new jail and provided a rough schedule for completion. He explained that the jail is in year five of a delay due to COVID as well as the construction of the county building/court house/police department in Mammoth Lakes. He also explained that there could be issues with following the schedule, but gave this as a good-faith timeline to follow: 2022 Nov 1 - Item going to the board to authorize the hazardous material removal from the hospital site. 2022 Nov 8 - Finalizing negotiations to get into a contract for an engineering firm to support production of the site demolition package 2022 Nov 8 – Item to the board discussing schedule and finance 2022 Dec 1 – Expected date of start for Haz Mat removal 2023 Feb 01 – Approximate start of building demolition 2023 April 01 – Approximate start of utility relocation 2023 July 01 – Approximate time of rapid impact compaction 2023 Nov 01 – Approximate time of release of bid package for building construction 2024 Feb 01 – Approximate time of beginning of construction 2025 Aug 01 – Approximate time of building completion, commissioning, and transition from existing jail facility to the new jail facility 2025 Nov 30 – Approximate time new Jail fully operational
Recommendations 6
-
R1Safety - Regarding the Entry Points. As officer safety is paramount, all visitors (civilian) should present identification and be questioned, scanned, or searched for weapons prior to passing the lobby door. As a secondary method of security, all visitors entering the jail proper should be questioned, scanned, or searched for weapons prior to entering the jail. In addition, visitors should not bring purses, backpacks, or anything that could conceal a potential weapon into the jail.
-
R2Jail Staffing The jail report from 2018-2019 addressed the open jail staff positions at that time. It addressed a funding issue with the Mono County Board of Supervisors. This issue seems to be on-going. The jail should be funded properly and staffing issues resolved. 10
-
R3Inmate treatment The Sheriff Department jail staff should continue with their current practices and procedures
-
R4Safety- Regarding Kitchen Meat Slicer As officer and inmate safety is paramount, the meat slicer in the kitchen should be in a secured area unavailable to inmates.
-
R5Safety- Regarding fire drills At minimum, an “employee” fire drill should be conducted on a regular basis. Inmates do not need to know that it is being conducted as they would not be evacuated during the drill. However, all personnel should have an understanding of what their specific role is during an actual fire emergency.
-
R6The New Jail The timeline submitted by the Director of Mono County Public Works should be followed and completed. 11
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Mono County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
Mono County Sheriff
Elected County Office