Conditions and Management of Detention Facilities in San Diego County

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Exercise facilities do not encourage physical exertion that may help relieve stress and/or the potential for increased conflict. RECOMMENDATION The San Diego County Grand Jury recommends that the San Diego County Probation Department and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors: 03-77: Expand and increase the use of existing athletic areas as well as other potential exercise areas in a non-contact, non-confrontational sports programs. GIRLS REHABILITATION FACILITY Facts: Date of visit: September 20, 2002 The Girls Rehabilitation Facility (GRF) is located in the same complex as Juvenile Hall. The present unit consists of 33 beds for female juvenile offenders with a staff of 17. Funding has been approved for a new 20-bed wing scheduled for completion in 2003. GRF provides programs for its detainees with the aim of keeping the delinquent girls from a future of continuing offenses and re-institutionalization. The daily routine and program schedule are tightly structured. There are 6 hours of basic schooling per day. Additional programs provided in the facility include vocational training, drug and alcohol treatment, parenting classes, arts and crafts and a book club. JUVENILE RANCH FACILITY Facts: Date of visit: December 13, 2002 The Juvenile Ranch Facility (JRF), which includes Rancho del Campo and Rancho del Rayo, is located in Campo in East County. Originally, this facility was an Army barracks built in the early 1940’s. In July 1978, a new dormitory was constructed, followed by a second in 1980. Two dormitories were renovated in 1990 and 1996. A new library, constructed in 1999, is well stocked with books and other educational materials. A computer laboratory for instruction and use by the wards was also constructed in 1999. This facility is a minimum-security institution, run by the Probation Department, for boys aged 12 to 18. On the day of the Grand Jury visit, the population at JRF was 160 boys. The Board of Corrections rated capacity at this facility is 250. Current staff level is 74 with staff available for both day and night schedules. The medical unit is staffed by two on-site nurses and a doctor that visits one day each week. There are currently four dormitories in use. Two of the dormitories, Rayo I (wards aged 12 to 16½) and Rayo II (wards aged 16½ to 18) focus on wards with a history of substance abuse. These two dormitories have age-appropriate programs. Each program is a minimum of 84 days in length, but may be longer based upon the completion of all the program components. The “Phoenix House” program encompasses reality therapy, anger management, acceptance of self-responsibility and goal setting. This program was implemented in February 2001 and supervisory personnel are pleased with the early results. One of the dormitories, Campo I, provides a structured program for 12 to 18 year old males with minor or no substance abuse issues who are committed to the Breaking Cycles program for behavior modification. This program term is for 54 days. Campo II dormitories houses 12 to 18 year old males who have relapsed from the Breaking Cycles Program. These programs have a variety of components. All the wards attend school 6 hours a day, Monday through Friday, and have a 30-minute lunch break. There are 12 certificated teachers, 1 head teacher and 1 special education teacher. A pilot program of special and intensive reading, spelling, and language comprehension skills has been introduced to improve the literacy of the wards. This program’s aim is to reduce the rate of recidivism by providing tools for inmates to succeed in the community.

03-70

Make assigned parking available nearby for San Diego Central Jail

03-71

Provide free shuttle or carpool service from a designated parking lot or

03-72

Proceed with construction of a new women's detention facility as soon

03-73

Expand all existing programs that have to do with any form of

03-74

Establish classes, taught by professionals, on non-violent conflict

03-75

Establish classes, taught by professionals, on non-violent conflict

03-76

Expand the use of athletic areas as well as increase other exercise areas for

03-77

Expand and increase the use of existing athletic areas as well as other

03-78

Where practical and applicable, increase the use of voluntary inmate labor

03-79

Continue and expand the pilot literacy programs.

03-80

Continue and expand the pilot literacy programs.

03-81

Where practical and applicable, increase the use of voluntary inmate labor