San Diego County Grand Jury • 2022-2023

Drugs, Contraband, and the Use of High-Tech Scanning Technology in San Diego County Jails

Published: May 31, 2023 14 pages

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⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 3 findings

F01

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department does not have a strong enough policy for searching incarcerated persons for drugs and other contraband upon re-entering the jails from unsecured settings. Fact: The East Mesa Reentry Facility and the South Bay Detention Center do not have whole body scanners. Detecting and Managing Drug Contraband: An Overview of Technologies for Managing Entry of Drug Contraband and Detecting Their Use in Correctional Facilities, Mail Inspection and Digitized Mail Programs https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/302135.pdf 11 Fact: There are a variety of high-tech machines available to assist in the identification of drugs and contraband in and on a person. Fact: The SDSD is in the process of purchasing additional scanning machines to use for scanning people. Fact: The two models of scanners used in the SDSD jails make use of ionizing radiation. Fact: Many people are concerned, but not fully informed about the risks of exposure to ionizing radiation. Fact: When used as intended, and according to the regulations governing their use scanners in the SDSD jails are safe and pose no health or safety risks. Fact: The dose (exposure) of radiation to the person being scanned is extremely low and there is no evidence it poses a hazard or risk to long-or short-term health and safety. Fact: Currently only sworn staff operate scanning machines.

F02

Anyone who has been trained can operate a scanning machine, but currently only sworn staff operate scanning machines in the San Diego County jails. Therefore, the department has inefficient staffing flexibility to operate the scanning machines. Fact: The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department does not currently have any high-tech high- volume scanning equipment for scanning incoming mail, small packages, or supplies. Fact: There are options available for purchasing high-volume mail screening machines. Fact: Drugs and contraband can enter jails through the mail, or supplies coming into the jails. High-volume scanning equipment has been shown to be effective in controlling contraband from coming into the jails.

F03

The SDSD lacks the most effective scanning equipment for scanning mail, packages, or supplies.

Recommendations 7

R23-83

Add one whole-body x-ray scanner at the East Mesa Reentry Center, and one whole-body scanner at the South Bay Detention Center. 12
R23-84

Consider scanning all incarcerated persons returning to the jail who have been out of the secure areas.
R23-85

Assemble an in-house team to determine the safest and most effective scanning devices, and how to staff the equipment in ways to ensure effectiveness so there are no delays for employees about to begin their shift.
R23-86

If the above noted in-house team is assembled, consider the feasibility, legality, and cost/benefits to scanning all persons including employees entering a detention facility.
R23-87

Hire and train non-sworn staff to exclusively operate the scanners.
R23-88

Purchase high-volume mail scanning equipment and scan all mail and incoming packages before delivery to an incarcerated person or secure location.
R23-89

Purchase x-ray cargo scanners capable of searching/scanning larger institutional deliveries and scan all incoming deliveries. REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS The California Penal Code §933(c) requires any public agency which the Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to comment to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the agency. Such comment shall be made no later than 90 days after the Grand Jury publishes its report (filed with the Clerk of the Court); except that in the case of a report containing findings and recommendations pertaining to a department or agency headed by an elected County official (e.g. District Attorney, Sheriff, etc.), such comment shall be made to the Presiding Judge with an information copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, California Penal Code §933.05(a), (b), (c), details, as follows, the manner in which such comment(s) are to be made: (a) As to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding. (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. (b) As to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation. 13 (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. (c) If a finding or recommendation of the grand jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both the agency or department head and the Board of Supervisors shall respond if requested by the grand jury, but the response of the Board of Supervisors shall address only those budgetary or personnel matters over which it has some decision- making authority. The response of the elected agency or department head shall address all aspects of the findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or department. Comments to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in compliance with the Penal Code §933.05 are required from the: