Stanislaus County Grand Jury
• 2001-2002
Reason for Investigation As mandated by Penal Code Section 919(B), AThe Grand Jury shall inquire into the
⚠️ 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 and Recommendations 15 findings
F1
The Men=s Jail is a maximum-security facility built in 1955. There are three (3) floors, a basement and a rooftop exercise area.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The maximum capacity of the Men=s Jail is 392 inmates. The current population, on the date of inspection, was 357 inmates.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Three hundred twenty-six of the beds are maximum security. 2
No recommendations for this finding
F4
In addition to inmate housing, the Men=s Jail provides: a. A secure medical treatment area staffed by CFMG twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week. b. A kitchen facility that receives and processes meals sent from the Central Kitchen at the Public Safety Center. c. A non-contact visitors room. d. A booking area that includes holding cells and a suicide watch cell for detainees not yet processed. e. An updated law library made available to all inmates upon request. f. Inmate commissary.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Inmate welfare funds, which are monies from the commissary and telephones, fund inmate programs.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Stanislaus County received a Violent Offender grant in October 1997 to repair the Men=s Jail. The grant stipulated that the jail would be used for an additional ten (10) years.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
This grant was used in 1998 to replace inadequate security control panels, interior doors and to add an exterior security gate. In addition, Arepeaters@ have been made available to enable the custodial staff to maintain continuous radio contact.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The Men=s Jail is housed in an aged building requiring continual repairs to maintain safety. According to CSBOC, the Men=s Jail is Ain dire need of overhaul@. The areas of plumbing and fixtures, electrical and lighting, and ventilation and showers were specifically cited as needing attention.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
A Needs Assessment Plan for replacing the current facility be finalized by 2004. The plan would include cost estimates, funding resources and a completion date.
R2
Maintenance issues need to be addressed in a timely manner.
F9
Maintenance issues are reported to, and handled by, Stanislaus County Public Works.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The Men=s Jail has a secure tunnel that runs from the basement of the jail to the basement of the Stanislaus County Superior Court, which houses a holding cell. Inmates scheduled for a court appearance are transferred through this tunnel to maintain public safety. Inmates are held in the holding cell until called into the courtroom.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The Men=s Jail has a persistent contraband problem, most notably illegal drugs and cigarettes.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Improve lighting of the perimeter fences to deter the flow of contraband into the facility. This will also increase overall security. Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall inspected December 13, 2001:
F12
Work-related injuries are a main factor contributing to staff shortages. CONCLUSIONS
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Sheriff=s Department continues to review the existing policy regarding disability leave, investigate the actual costs of the current program and find less costly solutions. Stanislaus County Public Safety Center inspected January 25, 2002:
F13
Every minor admitted to Juvenile Hall is also given a mental health evaluation for the purpose of identifying suicide risks.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Nutrition and physical exercise are part of the daily routine.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Presently, the booking, fingerprinting, interview room and clerical staff are located in one large, open area. CONCLUSIONS
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 16
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CL1 Page 4Solutions for the replacement of this facility need to be addressed immediately in anticipation of the grant stipulation expiration in 2007.
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CL2 Page 4The staff at the Men=s Jail has done an outstanding job of working within the confines of an aging facility.
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CL3 Page 4The Men=s Jail is an aged building requiring continual repairs to maintain safety.
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CL4 Page 4The lack of maintenance has a potential to create health and safety hazards and a loss of functionality.
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CL5 Page 4Due to constitutional restrictions, it is difficult to curb the flow of contraband to inmates.
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CL6 Page 4Staff shortages, due to employee disabilities, are significant. This results in overtime for the remaining employees, which adds unnecessary expense to the Sheriff =s budget.
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CL7 Page 6The Public Safety Center is a modern facility with state of the art layout and equipment.
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CL8 Page 6The staff at the Public Safety Center performs their duties in an exemplary manner.
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CL9 Page 8The staff at the Honor Farm is a professional group of employees who do an outstanding job of managing an aging facility.
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CL10 Page 8The fire suppressant plan is sufficient unless there is a power outage resulting in an inability to pump water.
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CL11 Page 8The current generator is insufficient to meet the needs of the facility during a power outage. This creates safety issues for the staff and the inmates.
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CL12 Page 8The road into the facility and all parking lots need resurfacing.
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CL13 Page 8Contraband is prevalent at the Honor Farm where there is more exposure to the outside world through the Work Detail program and contact visits with friends and family.
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CL14 Page 10The staff is sensitive to the special needs of their charges.
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CL15 Page 10The programs at the facility give youth the tools to be successful upon their return to society and to diminish recidivism.
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CL16 Page 10Privacy and safety issues are diminished due to the close proximity of the booking and screening areas and interview rooms. Staff is cognizant of this problem.
No Responses Found 3
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
Stanislaus County Sheriff
Elected County Office