Ad Hoc Committees

Comments 31

• CO1
  Multi-purpose rooms are used as test areas, in each of the Juvenile Hall units. These rooms include a library, a quiet room, and are equipped with a television, DVD player, various board, and video games; the area can be utilized for other activities.  The multi-purpose rooms are open from 6:30PM to 8:00PM for earned activities  During visiting hours, the room is used for family and/or guardian visitation  One staff member is required to be present in each of the multi- purpose rooms  Speech therapy is offered via computer  A “quiet room” is available from 6:00PM to 6:30PM to write letters, read, or to meet with legal counsel  Bible study is offered, rotating to different units each week 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 319
• CO2
  A calendar of events is printed and posted each month, indicating event times and places for Juvenile Hall, FTR, and the Pathways Academy. (See Attachment C)
• CO3
  At the time of the inspection, there were video cameras with recording capabilities in each of the school classrooms.  Data is retained for 30 days  Classrooms are monitored by a visual monitoring system for each of the six classrooms Security personnel are on duty in the classrooms for high o security youths, which are separate from the regular classes According to staff, the entire facility will have video o cameras, except dorm rooms and bathrooms. They are in the process of installing additional video recording cameras. The completion date is not known at this time Juvenile Hall has video monitors in limited areas, but they o do not have the ability to record at this time Currently there are no video cameras in the parking lots o
• CO4
  Youths are interviewed upon arrival, using the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument (MAYSI), an evidenced based assessment tool. The MAYSI is designed to alert or signal that a youth may have special needs or behavior tendencies that necessitate an informed response for classification and referral to Mental Health personnel.  MAYSI places youths in the education grade level they are equivalent to upon arrival at Juvenile Hall Youths will be re-evaluated over time for their grade level to o see if it is maintained, or if a change needs to be made  The MAYSI has been attributed to a decrease in petitions (charges) filed over the last few years
• CO5
  Upon intake at Juvenile Hall, a packet is assembled for each youth. The youth and/or Staff complete the packet, which includes:  Basic Rules  Program folder information sheet  Initial Assessment  Distinguishing Marks, worksheet 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 320  MAYSI-2 Questionnaire  In-take health screening – completed by medical staff  In-take and property information sheet  The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) – Information and advisement pamphlet given to youth by Staff  PREA Directive - completed by Staff
• CO6
  There are assigned shirt colors for security risk identification. The assigned shirt colors are:  Level I: Yellow and green shirts Minimum security status o May work on details outside Juvenile Hall o  Level II: Blue shirts Medium security status o May work on details inside Juvenile Hall o  Level III: Burgundy shirts Medium to high security status o May work on unit details only o  Level IV: Orange shirts Extreme high security status o Not permitted to work on any detail o
• CO7
  When youths are not in school, they may volunteer for additional jobs at Juvenile Hall, such as working within their unit, kitchen, laundry, or helping with the landscaping. 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 321  Youths do not earn money, but receive credits that can be used for various items in the “Canteen” or time credit for watching television, movies, or reading
• CO8
  Juvenile Hall has a “no tolerance policy” for gang activity. All youths are housed together; there is no separation by gang affiliation.
• CO9
  Youth conduct levels and sanctions are as follows:  Level 1 (Low) Misconduct is minimally disruptive to facility/programs. These behaviors will be considered low level infractions, but still warrant accountability measures. Staff will handle these infractions using the lowest level appropriate sanction. In all cases, verbal counseling/redirecting should always be considered as the first option by staff Sanctions – loss of points to losing privileges for one day o  Level 2 (Moderate) Misconduct is more serious or intense and/or disruptive to the facility/program than level 1 misconduct. There should be an attempt by staff to handle this misconduct using the least restrictive appropriate sanction Sanctions – loss of points to losing privileges for two days o  Level 3 (Serious/Dangerous) Misconduct is an immediate danger to facility/programs. These behaviors are considered high risk behaviors and can result in separation for the safety/security of the institution and possibly new violations. Staff will document all level 3 misconduct on an incident report Sanctions – Loss of points, losing privileges for up to 3 days, o probation/law violation, and/or restitution
• CO10
  In 2017, there were 22 incidents of the Safety Room being used for youths who posed a threat to themselves, others, or property. 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 322
• CO11
  Pathways Academy (Pathways) - on the day of inspection, Pathways was at maximum capacity of 23 female youths. The Staff stated that Pathways strives to rehabilitate, and reintegrate youths smoothly into the community. Resources and intensive services, linked with outside services, use evidence based programming, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, and The Matrix. Using positive reinforcement is a tool frequently used.
• CO12
  Pathways uses four different programs to target at-risk female youths:  12 Week Program: For the younger or less criminally sophisticated youths or o first-time commitments  18 Week Program: Designed for the moderate to high risk youths o  24 Week Program: To target a high-risk youths o  36 Week Program: For older chronic repeat offenders and highly sophisticated o youths
• CO13
  Each in-custody phase of Pathways program, provides the youth with highly structured components in the areas of socially acceptable behavior, therapeutic intervention, and life skills. Education is provided through JTC School at Juvenile Hall.  The main goal is to, “…transfer an array of skills and stimulate the development of abilities essential to the improvement of personal characteristics in social relations.”
• CO14
  Pathways youths work on assignments within their housing unit and the facility. Youths have the opportunity to complete community service hours. Youths participate in enriched activities, sporting events, and provide services through community based organizations.  Youths volunteer at California Living Museum - CALM, participate in field trips, and go to movies outside the facility  Animal rescue organizations provide animals, to teach youths the proper care of animals  Youths hold fundraisers To qualify to work on Juvenile Hall assignments or perform community service, youths:  Must be Level Two or better  Maintain good peer relationships 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 323  Cooperative and follow staff instruction  No absent without leave – AWOL, status Field trip participants are chosen by supervisors and staff, based on their performance and behavior in the program.
• CO15
  Regular Pathways visiting hours:  Sunday 12:30PM to 5:00PM  Visiting hours for youths with babies take place on Saturday from 1:00PM to 5:00PM  Youths who reach certain levels in the program, are also allowed a social and a picnic with their parents/guardians on Saturdays at 2:00PM, for an hour  This Program consists of nine levels. Youths have the opportunity for program advancement earning additional privileges. Failure at any level may result in a demotion of one level and the loss of all privileges that come with it. If the youth has been demoted to Level One, she is placed in a PTO.
• CO16
  Program Time Out PTO will be implemented by the Pathways Program Supervisor if a youth is having difficulty complying with the program rules. PTO may also be initiated if the youth fails two consecutive weeks. PTO is reviewed daily by the Program Supervisor or Duty Supervisor. Restrictions of PTO are:  Not eligible to make telephone calls  Not assigned work details  Free program time with the group will be based upon behavior  Attends school with the group  Have Physical Education Class with the group, unless behavior warrants otherwise  Does not participate in special events (i.e., outings, special BBQ’s)  Not having meals with the group  Not completing room clean-up with the group The conditions of this restrictive program classification will be explained to the youth. The youth will acknowledge the explanation by signing the Time-Out form. 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 324 During this alternative program classification, the youth is to focus on compliance with the program’s rules and guidelines. The youth will write an essay about the issues that resulted in PTO. The youth will present it to Juvenile Correction Officer for review. While the youth is on PTO, the youth will continue to be graded and eligible to earn weeks of time served. The youth must show improvement in her behavior to be removed from PTO.
• CO17
  Kern Medical follows established guidelines, per policy, for the treatment and care of Pathways’ pregnant youths (during prenatal and post-partum period).  If the youth or the legal guardian requests care through a private physician, the Probation Officer is contacted to ensure prenatal visits are coordinated with the guardian For billing, prenatal care is part of the services provided in o the contract between Kern Medical and Probation If the youth goes to their private physician, the legal guardian o is responsible for payment First-time mothers, or those pregnant for less than six months, are referred to the Nurse-Family Partnership Program at the Kern County Health Department. The Public Health Nurse has oversight of this program. The purpose is to help new mothers develop skills to take better care of themselves and their babies.
• CO18
  Staff stated that positive reinforcement, counseling, religion, animal therapy, family visits, and public health education, all contribute to the success of the youths. COMMENTS: The Committee would like to thank the Division Director, Assistant Division Director, Senior Food Services Supervisor, and Staff at James G. Bowles Juvenile Hall, for an excellent inspection tour and the information provided.
• CO19
  Regular visiting hours at Juvenile Hall are for a two hour window on Sundays, between 1:00PM and 5:30PM. In some circumstances, a visit may be extended.
• CO20
  The Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT), completed by the intake officer, assesses a youth’s risk to reoffend and their criminal tendencies to allow Probation to focus resources on those with the higher risk to reoffend.  MAYSI and PACT have been attributed to a decrease in petitions (charges) filed over the last few years
• CO21
  All uniforms are cleaned by assigned youths in the laundry.  The laundry is open seven days a week  There is a new clothes washer  A clothes dryer needs to be replaced The bid process was completed and the Purchase Order o was finalized on February 22, 2018 Date for installation is being coordinated and should be o completed within 60 days
• CO22
  Medical Staff is on duty seven days a week, 12½ hours per day. There are four Registered Nurses and a Medical Clerk.  All youths are examined and given a TB test within 48 hours upon arrival  All emergencies are sent to Kern Medical for treatment
• CO23
  Mental Health services are provided on site Monday through Saturday.  On-call services are available 24 hours per day, seven days a week by Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
• CO24
  Supervision is provided for the Pathways youth, by the Aftercare Unit, and ensures the youth abide by orders of the Juvenile Court, and provides assistance in their continuing rehabilitation.
• CO25
  Pathways youths receive mental health services from the Juvenile Probation Psychiatric Service, while receiving education through the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.
• CO26
  In 2016, the Pathways recidivism rate within 18 months of being released from the 12, 18, 24, and 36 week programs, were:  Committed a law violation: 7 youths or 14%  Furlough violation, violation of Probation, or a new law violation: 45 youths or 90%  Violation of Probation: 12 youths or 24%  Furlough violation: 23 youths or 46%
• CO27
  Pathways Academy is being renovated by community volunteers. The expected completion date is May 2018. 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 325
• CO28
  Snack $0.69 Total $6.23/per day As per Staff, this is an approximate cost based on the menu for February 1, 2018. Cost may be lower if USDA commodities are available. Fresh produce may increase the cost of meals based on availability or seasonal products. F11. A menu provided on the day of inspection was for February 1 to 24, 2018. (See Appendix A)  The Food Services Supervisor, with Senior Cooks, create the menus for Juvenile Hall, using the Nutrikids® nutritional guidelines  The menus are reviewed and approved by Kern Medical - Dietary Supervisor (Nutritionist)  A youth, who is ill, has a medical condition, or food allergy that requires a medical diet, will have an order from his attending physician 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 317  The staff will refer to the medical diet manual to determine the proper diet. The Committee found, the annual audit, Nutritional Health Evaluation for Special Purpose Juvenile Halls and Camps, the medical diet program has not been reviewed or evaluated in the past four years  The medical diet process includes: Staff will initiate a Special Diet Log (Log) to document which o meal or food item was substituted Each time the youth’s meal is altered from a specific meal, o kitchen and unit staff will sign the Log When the youth is released or the medical diet is completed, o the Log is routed to the housing unit and is placed in the youth’s program file All youths on a medical diet will not be allowed to work in the o main kitchen or laundry until cleared by medical staff  Religious diets are provided to requesting youths who demonstrate a belief that the diet is necessary to adhere to their religion The religious diet will conform to nutrition standards outlined o in Title 15, §1461, of the Board of State and Community Corrections, Minimum Standards for Juvenile Facilities All religious diet requests will be maintained by the Food o Services Supervisor F12. Some of the daily total nutritional values of the food served, on the day of the Committee inspection included:  22g sugar  5,301mg sodium  514.6g carbohydrates  3,500+ calories These values exceed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) maximum nutritional
• CO29
  The Kern County Board of Supervisors, Kern County Probation Department, and James G. Bowles Juvenile Hall should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review.
• CO30
  Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.kerncounty.com/grandjury.
• CO31
  Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.kerncounty.com/grandjury. RESPONSE REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS TO: PRESIDING JUDGE KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 CC: FOREPERSON KERN COUNTY GRAND JURY 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 327 APPENDICES: APPENDIX A: 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 328 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 329 The menu is on a seven day cycle. 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 330 APPENDIX B: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015-2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 331 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 332 APPENDIX C: Provided By Juvenile Hall 2017-2018 Kern County Grand Jury 333

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.