San Diego County Grand Jury • 2015-2016

Chula Vista Jail

Published: December 15, 2015 8 pages
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Findings 7 findings

F01
Chula Vista is losing money operating as a jail for the U.S. Marshals Service. Fact: CVPD estimates that four to six PSOs would be needed to staff a 96 hour Type I facility if CVJ ceases operating as a contract jail.
F02
The CVPD has not adequately demonstrated the need to operate a 24/7 Type I facility that duplicates services already provided by the Sheriff’s Department. Inmate Services If Chula Vista decides to continue operating as a contracted jail for the U.S. Marshals Service, there are several issues regarding inmate services. While CVJ was constructed as and is rated as a Type I facility, it is currently functioning as a Type II3 facility for the U.S. Marshals Service. CVJ contracts for most of its inmate services including meals, medical care, phone service and the commissary. There is no onsite health care provider. CVPD Officers indicated that psychiatric care/counseling is currently not provided for inmates, although some of the women experience depression. These federal detainees can remain in CVJ for up to one year while awaiting adjudication of their federal charges. Title 15, §1208 requires Type I and Type II facilities to provide inmates access to mental health services. However, the U.S. Marshals Service policy restricts payments for specific medical services during pre-trial detainment. Their policy is to provide only reasonable and medically necessary care until the individual is either sentenced and placed into a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility or released.4 Psychology/psychiatry is considered a non-authorized medical intervention/procedure. A holding facility pending arraignment 4 http://www.usmarshals.gov/prisoner/healthcare.htm 4 Staff at CVJ discussed establishing an exchange with the Chula Vista Public Library to enhance reading/educational options for the inmates, who currently have no educational resources. Computer-based educational opportunities exist that can be started at any time and could be funded by the IWF. CVJ maintains an inmate welfare fund with revenue obtained from commissary purchases and inmate phone calls. The fund is established under California Penal Code §4025. The IWF is managed by a recently-formed committee of three staff members. As of 1/20/2016, the balance in the fund was $76,870.83, an amount that has increased over $21,000 since June 30, 2015. It is important to note that the Grand Jury did not find any issues with actual expenditures made with IWF funds for the last three years. All purchases appear to comply with the intent of Penal Code §4025, which states that funds are to be expended primarily for the benefit, education and welfare of the inmates confined in the jail. FACTS AND FINDINGS Fact: Inmates are not provided psychiatric care/counseling.
F03
The CVJ does not meet Title 15 requirements for psychiatric care. Fact: A branch of Chula Vista Public Library is located within a block of CVJ.
F04
Chula Vista’s city council should establish a policy that provides inmates access to public library resources. Fact: On 1/20/2016 the IWF account balance was $76,870.83 and has been steadily increasing. Fact: There is no strategic plan for using the IWF funding.
F05
Strategic plans ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency, and facilitate long-range planning. Fact: The IWF committee consists of solely of CVPD staff.
F06
Staff-only oversight of IWF does not ensure transparency of the fund and public trust of its administration. Fact: There are no educational programs for inmates.
F07
IWF funds can be used for educational programs for inmates. 5

Recommendations 7

Agency Responses 2

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.