Orange County Board of Supervisors Minute Order*

The placement of male and female detainees in a coed unit at Central Juvenile Hall at Central Juvenile Hall resulted in a boy and girl being together, in the female's room for an extended period of time possibly engaging in sexual conduct without staff's knowledge or consent. Response: Agrees with the finding.

Maintenance in Unit I at Central Juvenile Hall needs attention with respect to the condition of the painted surfaces and general cleanliness of the unit. Response: Agrees with the finding.

Improvements are needed in the CJH visiting area including modification to the trailer to improve the general appearance (new carpeting), comfort (upgrade air conditioning), improve signage, and provide outdoor seating at the visitor's entrance for early arrivals. Disagrees partially with the finding. Response: While Probation agrees to look at modifications to the trailer to improve comfort (upgrade air conditioning), signage, and provide outdoor seating at the visitor's entrance for early arrivals, the carpet in the visitation trailer is approximately 10 years old, but has a 25-year life span; thus, cleaning of the carpeting rather than replacement is warranted.

The runaway rate at the Joplin Youth Center exceeded the norm during the past year. This is most likely because of the failure to screen minors with high runaway potential at the intake process. Disagrees partially with the finding. Response: The runaway rate at the Joplin Youth Center did exceed the norm during the past year; however, the process for screening minors has not changed and does screen for runaway potential based on established criteria.

The brief length of stay at the Joplin Youth Center results in a high rate of turnover of students creating a difficult situation for the school teaching staff and minimizes the lasting effects of a positive rehabilitative experience. Response: Agrees with the finding. ۲.

The risk management aspects of operating juvenile detention and correctional facilities could benefit from the availability of the Office of Independent Review to follow-up on serious behavioral incidents and assist in investigating allegations of staff misconduct. Response: Agrees with finding. Responses to Recommendation R.1, R.2, R.3, R.4, R.5, R.6, R.7 and R.8