Mental Health Services

Recommendations 3

• R8

  Page 23
  Because the expansion of the medical unit quarters does not involve making use of any of the upstairs administrative space to be vacated, remodeling of the nearby storage area should be planned and completed by June 30, 2016.” Through interviews, the 2015-2016 Grand Jury learned that the 2014-2015 Grand Jury Report was used to justify Yuba County’s request for a $20 million improvement grant through SB 863. The Board of State and Community Corrections Executive Steering Committee recommended that Yuba County receive this funding. The 2015-2016 Grand Jury was also informed that the 2014-2015 Grand Jury Report was, in part, the reason that Yuba County was awarded the Grant. This Grant will allow the Sheriff to construct a new building that will house a new, larger, medical unit. This will alleviate the current cramped conditions. “2014-2015
• R9

  Page 23
  It is recommended that the Sheriff and the Board of Supervisors explore all available federal, state, county, and grant funding sources to build a new facility or upgrade the 1962 portion of the facility utilizing optimum architectural design for the health and well-being of staff and inmates. This will assist the Correctional Officers in managing inmates and to meet the needs of the growing inmate population.” In the Sheriff’s Response and during interviews, the 2015-2016 Grand Jury was advised that the Sheriff’s Office receives and researches lists of available grants. The Sheriff’s Office does apply for grants that are applicable to their needs, and, in fact, has obtained a large grant to update the medical facility. “2014-2015
• R10

  Page 23
  The Yuba County Inmate Handbook is to be corrected to identify the Consent Decree as a legally enforceable Judgement, and Page | 22 that a copy of which can be obtained upon request. The Consent Decree is to be posted in the ‘Libraries and the Women’s Tank’.” At the time of booking, each inmate is provided an Inmate Handbook in either English or Spanish. The Handbook is not the Consent Decree, however all of the applicable requirements listed in the Consent Decree are addressed in the inmate Handbook along with other information. The Consent Decree does not specify that the inmate Handbook or summary must refer to the Consent Decree by name as the reference for this information, therefore the inmate Handbook was not changed. A full copy of the Consent Decree was located in both the Law Library and in the Female Program Room. This completes the continuity part of this report. The second part of this report covers the current conditions in the jail as determined through observation, interviews and the review of documents. 2015-2016 Grand Jury Report The Yuba County Jail Administration and Staff are responsible for approximately 400 inmates with the number fluctuating due to people coming in and being released. A brief review of the laws and manuals governing the correctional system as well as the jail logs shows this responsibility is complex. The Yuba County Grand Jury investigated the Mental Health and Medical facilities, the Safety of the inmates and staff, the Kitchen and Meal preparation, the Exercise yards and equipment, the Libraries, and the Vocational/Education opportunities. Mental Health Services Sutter-Yuba Mental Health (SYMH) verified that the full-time Crisis Counselor has the required education necessary for the position. This counselor was hired through a Community Services grant and works a 40 hour week, generally in the late afternoon and evenings. A second, part time, Crisis Counselor has been hired and comes in one day a week to help with inmate mental health requests. In addition to the two Crisis Counselors, the Sheriff advised that SYMH hires and provides the psychiatrist and a Tele-psych (internet) psychiatrist. The Under-sheriff advised that the in-house psychiatrist comes in on Sundays. The psychiatrist is scheduled to work four hours but will stay up to eight hours when needed. This psychiatrist primarily works with inmates being screened for their competency to stand trial. The Tele-psych is scheduled for eight hours on Wednesday and is available, via telephone, during the week. The inmates have 24 hour access for emergency psychiatric care and around 100 hours a week of non-emergency mental health treatment/counseling. A Bureau of Justice 2006 report states that 64% of jail inmates throughout the nation have mental health problems. Assuming that this same statistical information applies to the Yuba County Jail; that would be an excess of 200 inmates. With 100 treatment hours available this allows for less than 30 minutes of non-emergency one-on-one mental health counselling/treatment per inmate per week. The Under-sheriff advised the Grand Jury that they have resumed group counselling which will allow more individuals access to a form of treatment. In November, 2015, Yuba County was awarded a $20 million grant through SB 863. Page | 23 This grant shall be used to build a new annex next to the existing building which will include additional rooms for counselling and classroom instruction. During an interview with medical staff, the Grand Jury was told that due to the increased use and potency there has been a marked increase in mental health problems. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2015) confirms that there has been a rise in the use of marijuana since 2007. SYMH also advised they have hired a Forensic Therapist. The Forensic Therapist specializes in mental health and criminal justice. The Forensic Therapist will oversee the mental health personnel working with law enforcement in both Sutter and Yuba Counties; the Sheriff’s Offices, Probation and Juvenile Hall. The Grand Jury was informed that this position is funded through the Community Correctional Partnership. During the investigation, the Grand Jury was informed that SYMH presented a Mental Health First Aid course to the jail staff in December, 2015. All Correctional Sergeants have been certified to instruct other courses: Intake Medical Screening, Mental Health Issues in Jail, Attempted Suicide, and Suicides and Death. Each course is presented at least once a year. One Sergeant is also certified to instruct Suicide Prevention in the Correctional Facility and presents this instruction annually to all custody and medical staff. During tours and interviews, the Grand Jury was informed that inmates displaying suicidal tendencies or threatening suicide are placed in a Safety Cell. This is a small cell, approximately 7’x7’, with firm padding on the walls, no furnishings, a single light, a window, and a drain hole in the floor. If necessary, clothing is removed and inmates are given specialized clothing that will tear easily and cannot be used for suicide. An inmate is only placed in a Safety Cell with the approval of the facility administrator, the watch commander or the physician. These inmates are checked every 15 minutes and a medical assessment is completed within 12 hours of placement. A mental health opinion is secured within 24 hours. If the inmate remains in the cell after the first medical assessment, he/she is medically checked every 24 hours at a minimum. Jail Administration advised the Grand Jury that arrestees are regularly taken to SYMH prior to booking for evaluation to ensure they are fit for incarceration. If an arrestee is deemed unfit, a mental health hold is placed and he/she may be taken to Rideout Memorial Hospital or held at SYMH. Inmates may be taken to SYMH for treatment if necessary. When asked if any inmate has been taken to SYMH for treatment in the past year, Jail Administration cited one incident that involved an inmate refusing to take prescribed medication and it was determined that, for safety reasons, SYMH personnel would administer the medication. Jail Administration told the Grand Jury that a deputy may have to stand by with the arrestee or inmate depending on the severity of the charge and circumstances surrounding the person’s arrest. UC Davis School of Law (UCD) has been assigned by the Eastern District Federal Court to monitor the Yuba County Jail’s compliance with the Consent Decree. During their presentation to the 2015-2016 Grand Jury, the UCD students expressed concern over the medical and mental health conditions in the jail. They advised that the jail psychiatrist has a blanket policy of Page |