Chula Vista Jail - California Grand Jury Reports

Findings 3 findings

F01

The net cost of conducting Chula Vista Jail operations in the City of Chula Vista exceeded $900,000 for FY 07/08 according to figures supplied by the Chula Vista Police Department. Fact: Income to the Inmate Welfare Fund from the contract telephone service and commissary privileges managed by CVJ personnel is substantial. Fact: A cost analysis has never been performed on the operation of the CVJ or its Inmate Welfare Fund by the City or an outside examiner. Fact: CVJ management does not have a strategy for the use of the funds available now or in the future for the Inmate Welfare Fund.

F02

A more effective set of financial controls should be placed on the Inmate Welfare Fund to avoid the potential for fraud or abuse. Fact: City management has stated several times in various forms (media releases, verbal communications, web site) that one of the primary justifications for operating CVJ was to increase patrol personnel and to save prisoner transportation costs to the county jail. Fact: The Sheriff’s Department charges the City to pick up prisoners from the CVJ and deliver them to the South Bay Court and ultimately to San Diego County detention facilities. Fact: The Chula Vista Police Department continues to transport prisoners to San Diego County Sheriff’s detention facilities on a routine basis.

F03

Anticipated savings to the City of Chula Vista for the transportation of prisoners to the San Diego County facilities have been negligible.

Recommendations 3

09-33
Page 1

Conduct an examination and assessment of the Chula Vista Jail
09-34
Page 1

Present a public report to the Chula Vista City Council concerning
09-35
Page 1

Evaluate and revise the current policy and procedures relating to the

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

Chula Vista Police Department

August 24, 2009 • 2 pages • 6 responses • Score: 0 (+1, 1, -1) View Details ▾

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6 responses to findings and recommendations

F01

The net cost of conducting Chula Vista Jail operations in the City of Chula Vista exceeded $900,000 for FY 07/08 according to figures supplied by the Chula Vista Police Department. Fact: Income to the Inmate Welfare Fund from the contract telephone service and commissary privileges managed by CVJ personnel is substantial. Fact: A cost analysis has never been performed on the operation of the CVJ or its Inmate Welfare Fund by the City or an outside examiner. Fact: CVJ management does not have a s...

Response: Agree Score: +1

We agree with this finding. Unfortunately, however, it does not acknowledge a reduction of more than 40% over the previous fiscal year, (from $1.5 million), or that the net operating cost in FY 08/09 was even less, (about $600K). Likewise, measures have been taken to reduce this amount even further for the current and subsequent fiscal years. Finding #02: A more effective set of financial controls should be placed on the Inmate Welfare Fund to avoid the potential for fraud or abuse. Response: We agree, and when this concern was brought to our attention, the policy and procedures were changed b...

F02

A more effective set of financial controls should be placed on the Inmate Welfare Fund to avoid the potential for fraud or abuse. Fact: City management has stated several times in various forms (media releases, verbal communications, web site) that one of the primary justifications for operating CVJ was to increase patrol personnel and to save prisoner transportation costs to the county jail. Fact: The Sheriff’s Department charges the City to pick up prisoners from the CVJ and deliver them to th...

Response: Unknown Score: 0

). Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Findings and Recommendations contained in your report. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (619) 691-5218. Sincerely, Gary Welch Police Captain The Honorable Cheryl Cox, Mayor CC: James Sandoval, City Manager CITY OF CHULA VISTA

F03

Anticipated savings to the City of Chula Vista for the transportation of prisoners to the San Diego County facilities have been negligible.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

We disagree. Although the number of prisoners transported to County facilities by our officers has, in fact exceeded initial projections, there still is significant savings. While we continue to explore other options to further reduce this number, unfortunately some of these individuals, (e.g., females, warrants from other jurisdictions, parole violations only, and those with medical issues), must still be sent elsewhere.

09-33

Conduct an examination and assessment of the Chula Vista Jail

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

In February 2008, such an assessment was conducted in response to a request by Council Member Ramirez. That assessment, which was provided to the Grand Jury, detailed the various benefits our community derives from having a city jail. The report also showed that the new 48-bed jail is far more cost-effective, and has a lower net operating cost, than the six-bed facility at the former police station.

09-34

Present a public report to the Chula Vista City Council concerning

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The report referred to in

09-35

Evaluate and revise the current policy and procedures relating to the

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This recommendation has been implemented, (as stated in our response to Finding #02). Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Findings and Recommendations contained in your report. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (619) 691-5218. Sincerely, Gary Welch Police Captain The Honorable Cheryl Cox, Mayor CC: James Sandoval, City Manager CITY OF CHULA VISTA