County of Placer

R1

The Commander and his staff are to be commended for their efforts. Placer County officials should provide strong support for this three-part approach (rehabilitation, prevention and discipline) to reducing recidivism. This support should including funding, making space available, and remodeling of the facilities, where appropriate. (cid:1) The recommendation has been implemented. The Board of Supervisors with recommendations from the County Executive will continue to provide support for correctional facilities and programs. In FY 2000-01 the Board of Supervisors have approved a significant increase in funding for public safety, including corrections. Over $25 million dollars from the County General Fund has been approved by the Board of Supervisors for public safety operations. Of this amount, the Sheriff receives over $18 million dollars, an increase of over $2.2 million dollars over last year. The operating budget of the Jail has increased by 16% over last year supported by an increase in County General Fund appropriations of $1.9 million dollars. The Board of Supervisors and the County Executive Officer also support required modifications to facilities to correct problems improve operations or expand programs within the limits of available resources. A significant new construction project of the Jail will add a new housing unit that increases the number of beds to 96. The estimated project cost for this addition to the Jail is $7.4 million dollars, of which $3.2 million dollars is from the County Building Fund. In addition, the Board of Supervisors has approved additional funding of $125,000 to separate an existing jail pod. A review is also underway to determine the feasibility of implementing a program to reduce recidivism that may include additional beds and space for training and classroom instruction. The responses of the Sheriff and the Director of Facility Services is also enclosed with this response.

R2

Install these safety systems throughout the structure. Ensure there are smoke and fire detectors in the attic area to reduce the chance of a fire flashing unnoticed from one end of the building to the other. (cid:1) The recommendation has been implemented. A smoke and fire detection system is currently being installed throughout the building. The installation is scheduled for completion by September 1, 2000. However, there is no plan to install a water sprinkler system to suppress a fire within this facility because it is unwarranted, given the high cost to retrofit the aging facility. The County believes that the new alarm system, coupled with adopted evacuation procedures, provide an acceptable level of safety for all building occupants. This item will be deferred for consideration within a new replacement facility. The responses of the Sheriff and the Director of Facility Services is also enclosed with this response.

R3

The 2000-2001 Grand Jury should monitor the implementation of this essential program. (cid:1) The recommendation is directed to the FY 2000-2001 Grand Jury.

R4

The 2000-2001 Grand Jury should monitor this construction. (cid:1) The recommendation is directed to the FY 2000-2001 Grand Jury.

R5

The Sheriff’s Department and the Facility Services Director should study the feasibility of extending the building. If feasible, funding should be pursued for such an extension. (cid:1) The Recommendation has not yet implemented but will be implemented in the future. The Facility Services Department is working with the Sheriff's Office to study the feasibility of expanding administrative space within the Main Jail as part of the construction of the new jail housing unit (Housing Unit 4). A copy of the responses of the Sheriff and the Director of Facility Services is also enclosed with this response.

R6

The Placer County Sheriff’s Department and the Revenue Services Department should continue to pursue reimbursement of the costs of housing inmates. (cid:1) The recommendation has been implemented. The Sheriff is encouraged to continue to seek reimbursement of jail housing costs through the Revenue Services Department. In addition, the Sheriff has been successful in receiving federal grant funds for reimbursement of jail housing costs of undocumented aliens incarcerated at the Main Jail. In FY 1999-2000 the Department received over $72,000 in reimbursed costs from this grant.

R7

The Board of Supervisors, County Executive Officer, Sheriff’s Department, and Criminal Justice Policy Committee should continue to work towards the approval, funding, and eventual construction of a South Placer facility. It is this Grand Jury’s desire, as it has been for other Grand Juries, that a South County Facility located in the Roseville-Lincoln-Loomis-Rocklin area will be built in the near future. County officials should continue to work with officials in the communities of Roseville, Rocklin, Loomis, Lincoln, Auburn, and Colfax to develop an equitable cost-sharing plan. (cid:1) The recommendation has been implemented. Full expansion of the Main County Jail will occur with the completion of construction of Housing Unit 4. The project schedule assumes occupancy of this new unit by December 31, 2001. With an expanding population, an increase in the jail population beyond the capacity of the expanded Jail may occur at some future date. Planning for a new facility to house an increased jail population within the South Placer area is necessary. The county budget includes funding of $400,000 to plan for the construction of the new facility and the Director of Facility Services has been meeting with the Sheriff and Court officials to discuss space needs, construction schedule and phasing, and possible sites. The County Executive Officer will also continue to work with the cities to implement a Facility Impact Fee to generate revenue to help construct the new facility.

R8

Placer County needs to construct the South Placer Jail Facility. (cid:1) See response to Grand Jury Recommendation #7. A copy of the response of the Sheriff and the Director of Facility Services is also enclosed with this response. Respondents Placer County Sheriff Placer County Board of Supervisors Placer County Executive Officer Placer County Facility Services Director Auburn City Council Colfax City Council Lincoln City Council Loomis Town Council Rocklin City Council Roseville City Council BURTON CREEK (TAHOE) SHERIFF'S SUBSTATION, COURT FACILITIES, AND JAIL INSPECTION (Pages 78-85)