San Benito County Grand Jury Report*

Other programs available to youths are life skills, journaling, dance and poetry. The San Benito Arts Council worked with youths last year to create a large mural that is in the day room. FINDINGS F1) The shower head in the intake area is unsafe. Showers in the intake area and main housing area lack privacy. A JIO needs to be able to see the head and feet of a youth in the shower. Each shower currently has a full door and there is a small window with a cover that can be opened to monitor the youth, however, there is no interior shower door to provide some privacy. F2) Carpeting is worn and also torn. The torn area in the courtroom is a trip hazard. F3) It was noted that 5 of 7 youths at the facility during the Grand Jury tour had mental or behavioral health issues. Juvenile Hall currently uses the County Health Department to provide treatment for mental health issues. This is done off-premise and youths must be transported to care and back to the facility. F4) There are no vocational studies programs currently available at Juvenile Hall. Although there is a gardening/agricultural program being developed, it lacks funding for infrastructure. F5) As mentioned in prior Grand Jury reports. The grass area is full of gopher holes and is unsafe for youth to use. Plans have been drawn up to remedy this on-going issue and funding was approved, however, this project is now on hold due to a lack of resources.