Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 2007-2008
Home Away from Home a report on Mendocino County Juvenile Hall June 11, 2008
⚠️ 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.
Findings and Recommendations 32 findings
F1
The Juvenile Hall staff consists of: one Superintendent, five Supervising Correctional Officers, 21 Correctional Counselors, four kitchen staff, one Mental Health Clinician, and one Licensed Vocational Nurse. There are three unfilled full-time Correctional Counselor positions. Three staff members are bilingual. A contract physician is available six days a week.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
the three full-time vacant positions be filled; (Finding 1)
R2
the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors fully fund the staffing portion of the MCJH budget; (Finding 1)
F2
The staff work eight-hour shifts, five days per week, with rotating days off. This schedule provides two days off during the week, so employees can attend continuing education classes or perform community service, if they wish.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The County pays overtime because adequate staffing is a state mandate. Employees can choose whether to receive their overtime compensation as paid time off or as direct wages.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The video observation and security systems for doors and common areas throughout the facility are monitored at all times.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Mendocino County General Services Agency provides maintenance.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
MCJH has a generator for back-up power in the in-take/release building.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Last year’s Grand Jury reported an average occupancy of 27 to 35.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
the Board of Supervisors address the limited capacity of Juvenile Hall. (Finding 7 and 8) Comments If the present escalation of juvenile incarceration continues, as the trends show, the maximum capacity of the facility will soon be exceeded. The Grand Jury is pleased with the condition and maintenance of the facility. The facility is well managed, efficient, clean and sanitary. Youth benefit from the structured schedule and the expectation of cooperation. The staff was found to be caring, and the youth were well groomed.
F8
The maximum capacity of the facility is 43 youth; the average is 37 to 38. At the time of the Grand Jury site visit, the facility was at full capacity.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
All youth fill out a health questionnaire and receive a tuberculosis test upon entry.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The newer building contains the in-take and release unit. The in-take/booking area includes a shower, two interview rooms, two holding cells, and a medical exam room.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The facility is divided into 3 units: • Unit A is for females • Unit B is for males • Unit C is for older, more sophisticated, violent, and/or youths charged with serious crimes.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Unit C is fully self-contained; it is a high security unit and has its own classroom, showers, exercise area, and dining area with food brought in from the kitchen.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
At night, individual cells are visually checked every 15 minutes by staff. Each cell has an emergency call button.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
School attendance is mandatory and is year-round.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Mendocino County Office of Education provides instructional programs.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
There are three full-time school teachers and one aide. Classes are held five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
Youth receive instruction at their assessed grade level.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The classrooms have books and computers. Internet access is tightly controlled. There is also an art room with an instructor two days a week.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The MCJH provides rehabilitation of youth through counseling, life skills classes, parenting classes, and Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Religious services are available for those who wish to attend.
No recommendations for this finding
F20
Youth shower and have clean underwear each day. Laundry is done by the staff.
No recommendations for this finding
F21
Good behavior is rewarded with activities that include gardening, yard work and “in-house” field trips (within the facility). During free time in the evening, books, magazines, CDs and television viewing are available in the day room. There are also telephone privileges.
No recommendations for this finding
F22
There is a “Step” program, whereby all youth can advance from an entrance step level of 0 and earn additional privileges by moving to the next “Step”. It takes two weeks of good behavior to advance from one step to the next. Each youth makes a written plan on how to achieve the next step, such as: …I will have a better attitude, don’t lose my temper, keep my room neat and clean.
No recommendations for this finding
F23
The dining room and kitchen were observed to be clean, and had a pleasant atmosphere. The food was nicely presented and included fresh fruit and vegetables, along with the main course.
No recommendations for this finding
F24
Boys and girls from Units A and B eat together in the dining room but are seated in separate areas.
No recommendations for this finding
F25
The menu is prepared by a registered dietician and rotates every six weeks. Snacks are served twice a day. Second helpings at meal time are permitted. Special diets, such as diabetic, religious or vegetarian, conform to State nutritional standards. Milk is provided three times daily.
No recommendations for this finding
F26
The average stay is 25 days, although 15 days is more common. The maximum sentence at MCJH is one year; however youth may stay longer while awaiting court adjudication, or for health reasons.
No recommendations for this finding
F27
Visitation by parents or family is limited to two hours per week.
No recommendations for this finding
F28
Parents are billed on a sliding scale up to $18 per day for the cost of maintaining a youth in MCJH. The maximum is $800 per stay. Collecting the money from the parents is a difficult task.
No recommendations for this finding
F29
Transportation from the MCJH to the court or to medical facilities is provided by the Correctional Counselors.
No recommendations for this finding
F30
All juveniles are assigned legal counsel.
No recommendations for this finding
F31
A juvenile charged as an adult is eligible for bail.
No recommendations for this finding
F32
About 80% of the youth are repeat offenders. Youth with behavioral problems require the bulk of the Correctional Counselors’ time.
No recommendations for this finding
Comments 1
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CO1If the present escalation of juvenile incarceration continues, as the trends show, the maximum capacity of the facility will soon be exceeded. The Grand Jury is pleased with the condition and maintenance of the facility. The facility is well managed, efficient, clean and sanitary. Youth benefit from the structured schedule and the expectation of cooperation. The staff was found to be caring, and the youth were well groomed. Page 3 of 5
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Mendocino County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office