📋
Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
El Dorado County Grand Jury
• 2013-2014
El Dorado County Grand Jury 2013-2014 El Dorado County Jails Inspections Case Number Gj-13-02 Reason for Report
⚠️ 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.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F9
Findings 9 findings
F1
Staff at both jails identified several negative impacts to inmate populations due to California AB 109.
F2
In spite of their ages, both facilities appeared to be clean and well maintained.
F3
Both jails appeared to be well managed and staff morale seemed to be good.
F4
Staff indicated that maintaining adequate female staff has been a problem at both jails, but recent aggressive recruitment efforts have been effective in alleviating that problem.
F5
Staff reported that turnover has been a problem at the South Lake Tahoe Jail and to a lesser degree in Placerville.
F6
Staff commented that inmates with mental health issues, as well as older and homeless inmates, are an ongoing problem. One staff comment was that jails have become a repository for people with mental health issues.
F7
Several inmate programs are offered, including substance abuse, life skills, culinary arts (to include state culinary certification), GED education, and religious services.
F8
Medical services are out-sourced to the California Forensic Medical Group. 9. 15% of meals are special diets (religious, diabetic, vegetarian, etc.).
F10
Staff at the Placerville facility reported that an additional room where attorneys can meet confidentially with clients is needed because of the lengthy time attorneys must wait to use current rooms. It was noted that the pass-through slot in the existing attorney rooms were quite small (only 4 or 5 pages at a time), and often adds much time to a visit as the transfer of paper back and forth does not easily accommodate typical paperwork. EVALUATION OF FINDINGS As noted in Finding #1, the implementation of AB 109 has created several negative impacts to inmate populations at both of our jails. Since these problems are serious, and affect other county departments including Probation and Sheriff, they will be specifically addressed in a separate grand jury report to be released later this year focusing on how AB 109 has affected our county. Based on our inspections of both facilities, we commend the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office under the command of Cpt. Peshon for hiring very competent leaders and staff. Our two County Jails are well maintained and operated.
Recommendations 4
-
R1Because of their ages, both Placerville and South Lake Tahoe jails should be evaluated for replacement and/or refurbishment.
-
R2Reasons for staff turnover at both facilities should be evaluated, and consideration given to adjacent region’s salary ranges as well as other retention tools.
-
R3An advisory team including the Sheriff’s Office, county mental health professionals, and other incarceration experts should be formed to make recommendations to improve the care, treatment and housing of mentally ill inmates.
-
R4Search for a better process for attorney/client paperwork transfer (perhaps in a manner similar to regular mail) to alleviate the attorney wait times. This may eliminate the need for an additional attorney room. RESPONSES Responses to both findings and recommendations in this Report are required by law in accordance with California Penal Code §933 and §933.05. Address responses to: The Honorable Suzanne N. Kingsbury, presiding judge of the El Dorado County Superior Court, 1354 Johnson Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. This Report has been addressed to the El Dorado County Sheriff for review and response, and provided to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors. The Presiding Judge of the El Dorado County Superior Court additionally requests that the responses be sent electronically as a “Word” file or “PDF” file to facilitate the economical and timely distribution of such responses. Please email responses to the El Dorado County Grand Jury at: [email protected]
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
El Dorado County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
El Dorado County Sheriff
Elected County Office