A Report by the 2012-2013 Contra Costa County Grand Jury*

The Contra Costa County detention facilities, both adult and juvenile, appear to be well- managed and well-maintained despite the budgetary struggles of the County in recent years. The staff members in both the adult and juvenile facilities conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner.

A review of adult detention facility capacity measured against detainees shows that 14% of the space remains available. Taken at face value this figure can be misleading. Forty percent of the space at Marsh Creek is unfilled, while the figure for West County is 13.5% and for Martinez, 9%. To obtain a realistic view of available detention space in the county, the type of facility must be compared against the level of security required. Given this approach, the county is in good shape with low-security inmates (Marsh Creek), less well off for medium-security (West County), and faces potential problems in the high-security area (Martinez). This situation may be exacerbated if AB 109 pushes more long-term, high-risk offenders into county facilities.

The computer-based maintenance and repair Corrigo system has the capability to track work requested, to evaluate work submitted and completed against established "best practice" targets and to measure service levels and employee performance.

Grand Jury Report No. 1210, completed last year, recommended that an effort be made to implement a system whereby voluntary inmate labor could be used to carry out minor repairs and maintenance in detention facilities. Reports indicate that grievances have been filed by the GSD/Public Works union objecting to the use of inmates for minor maintenance and repairs. The resolution reached allows only yard work on a very limited basis.

The renovation of the Martinez Intake Area remains uncompleted despite the passage of two and one-half years, with little likelihood that it will be finished in the immediate future.

Without a computer-based case management system, the Probation Department is unable to track follow-up care, recidivism and program effectiveness in a timely and cost- effective manner.

Classes beyond the high school level are not available at the Juvenile facilities. Incarcerated youth who complete high school or obtain a GED are unable to continue their education.

Marsh Creek and The Boys' Ranch are isolated and difficult for families to visit, especially if they rely on public transportation. Contra Costa County 2012-2013 Grand Jury REPORT 1310