San Joaquin County Grand Jury • 2003-2004

Case #0203 San Joaquin County Jail Reason for Investigation:

9 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 18 findings

F1
Mr. Denmon posed no immediate threat to himself or others while restrained by both ankles and one wrist and locked in an observation room in a secured unit at the County Jail.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Jail staff used excessive force to re-secure Mr. Denmon when he expired at the County Jail.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Though Mr. Denmon verbally threatened to fight staff, was uncooperative, and was a large and strong man, he never attempted to strike anyone at the jail.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Sergeant Doran ordered Line Duty staff to stand by to wait for an assessment from a Psych Tech. The Line Duty staff ignored the direct order to stand by.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Line Duty staff entered the observation room without direction to re-secure Mr. Denmon.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
An excessive number of officers entered the observation room to re-secure Mr. Denmon. Credible testimony was given stating no more than four people are needed to re-secure any person, including a man as large and strong as Mr. Denmon.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Line Duty staff failed to follow repeated orders from medical personnel, a Psych Tech, and the Duty Sergeant to turn Mr. Denmon on his back.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Jail, medical, and psychiatric staff at the County Jail have testified it is highly unusual for detainees to break the waist belt of the five point restraint system.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The San Joaquin County Mental Health Department uses the same five-point restraint system. Experienced members of San Joaquin County Mental Health staff stated detainees break the waist belt of the five point restraint system regularly.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The leather straps of the five point restraint system used to secure Mr. Denmon were old and pliable compared to new straps which are very rigid.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
No written procedures regarding maintenance and replacement of leather restrains were made available to the Civil Grand Jury.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Though not yet implemented, the County Jail is creating Critical Emergency Response Teams (CERT). The teams will be deployed for riots, cell extractions and other emergencies.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
Disconnect between arresting officers and Pre Booking Officers allows arrestees who are intoxicated and/or have medical conditions to be processed without the appropriate screening.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Pre Booking Officers, at times, rush through the screening process. Pre Booking Officers do not consistently enter responses from detainees during the screening process. Pre Booking Officers do not always note their observations.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Merle Scott's current and previous charges were not considered when he was screened in the Booking Unit. Proper screening could have placed Mr. Scott in the medical unit to assist with the detoxifying process.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
Because Mr. Merle Scott had MRSA and a visible open wound, he should have been placed in medical isolation.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
The jail's security staff (deputy sheriffs, transportation officers and other correctional officers) are expected to observe inmates for physical and mental conditions with minimal training.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
There is insufficient training for newly appointed duty sergeants.
No recommendations for this finding

No Responses Found 1

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San Joaquin County County