Humboldt County Grand Jury • 2016-2017

Jails and Law Enforcement Facilities

Published: June 13, 2017 17 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 19 findings

F1
The law enforcement personnel with whom we interacted on our tours or interviewed in our investigation projected a high degree of dedication to their work and to the well-being of those they serve.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Mentally ill inmates at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility require more comprehensive care, and procedures need revamping.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Correctional Facility review and revamp its procedures related to the treatment of inmates who are, or are suspected to be, mentally ill to ensure that they receive timely and appropriate care. (F2)
F3
The Mental Health staff at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility is not available 24/7 which compromises the health of the inmates and safety within the facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that a minimum of one mental health staff member be available 24/7 at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. (F3)
F4
The pay scale for Humboldt County Correctional Facility Correctional Deputies is lower than comparable law enforcement entities, which places the Facility at a disadvantage in retaining trained and qualified personnel.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends a review of the pay scale and other incentives of County law enforcement personnel to ensure fair compensation to correctional deputies at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. (F4)
F5
Many Humboldt County Correctional Facility cameras do not have recording capability which compromises the overall safety of personnel and inmates within the facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that all camera equipment at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility be upgraded to include recording capability. (F5)
F6
The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office contracts with one local licensed pathologist and has no backup if that individual is unavailable.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the County identify another licensed pathologist who can fill in at the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office if the individual currently under contract becomes unavailable. (F6)
F7
The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office facility has significant structural inadequacies, including aging infrastructure, asbestos, insufficient space and a poorly-functioning ventilation system.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that necessary maintenance and upgrades be performed to address structural inadequacies at the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office, including aging infrastructure, asbestos, insufficient space, and a poorly-functioning ventilation system. (F7) 75
F8
Much of the equipment in the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office is outdated, worn out, and inadequate, including its backup power system.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the outdated equipment at the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office, including its backup power system, be replaced immediately. (F8)
F9
The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office does not have an X-ray machine, which delays the autopsy process and creates additional expense over the long term.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that an X-ray machine be purchased and installed at the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office. (F9)
F10
As referenced in a number of previous Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury reports, the Garberville Substation has a number of shortcomings which affect public access and safety including non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), no available external emergency phone for public use when no one is available in the Substation, and no directional signage to aid citizens in locating the station. 74
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office address the issues raised in this and previous reports regarding the Garberville Substation including: bringing it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, installing an external emergency phone for public use, and installing directional signage on Redwood Drive. (F10)
F11
All computer communications in the Garberville Substation run through one router. Failure of this single router could result in a loss of internet communications with other law enforcement agencies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office install a second router at the Garberville Substation to provide a dual system approach to guaranteeing internet communications with other law enforcement agencies. (F11)
F12
At the SWAP Farm, workers are allowed to operate chainsaws without wearing safety goggles and headgear as required by OSHA.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office ensure that all workers in its SWAP yards wear appropriate safety gear as required by OSHA. (F12)
F13
The Eureka Police Department (EPD) has just one entrance/exit for department vehicles from its only parking lot. If it were blocked, vehicles would be unable to leave the parking lot.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Eureka Police Department provide additional entrance and exit capabilities for its parking lot. (F13)
F14
The posting of one fire evacuation plan in the Sheriff’s Main Office is insufficient to ensure the swift and safe removal of all personnel in the event of an emergency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R13
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office post additional fire evacuation plans in appropriate places throughout its Main Office. (F14)
F15
The McKinleyville Substation has no air-conditioning which causes staff discomfort and fatigue, as well as potentially compromising temperature-sensitive equipment.
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office undertake negotiations with the owner of the McKinleyville Substation building to install air-conditioning in the facility. (F15)
F16
There is no directional signage for the McKinleyville Substation to aid citizens in locating the facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R15
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office install directional signage on Central Avenue for the McKinleyville Substation. (F16)
F17
The Willow Creek Substation lacks a backup generator, fire extinguishers and rescue equipment which compromise safety and effectiveness.
Related Recommendations (1)
R16
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office procure a backup generator, fire extinguishers and rescue equipment for the Willow Creek Substation. (F17)
F18
Safety issues at County law enforcement facilities, which include problems associated with age, maintenance, and lack of bulletproof glass, create safety challenges for both personnel and inmates.
Related Recommendations (1)
R17
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that County and city governments engage in a planning process to address issues of safety as well as the short and long term maintenance needs of its law enforcement facilities. (F18)
F19
The lack of holding cells in law enforcement facilities that serve eastern Humboldt County presents a significant challenge in the event of an emergency that makes the Humboldt County Correctional Facility inaccessible.
Related Recommendations (1)
R18
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends a collaborative approach between the Sheriff’s Office and the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council to identify and develop adequate holding facilities for eastern Humboldt County in the event that the County Correctional Facility becomes inaccessible. (F19) 76

No Responses Found 8

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

Arcata City
County of Humboldt Agency
Eureka City
Fortuna City
Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office
Humboldt County Sheriff Elected County Office
McKinleyville Community Services District Special District
Rio Dell City