Solano County Sheriff's Office Thomas A. Ferrara, Sheriff-Coroner*

- The bed rate calculation, which include custody expenses used by the Sheriff's Custody Division, has increased from $178/day in 2017 to $382/day in 2022. Budget patterns and metrics do not reflect steps being taken to reduce custody expenses. Response to Finding 1 - I disagree partially with the finding. Budget patterns and metrics do not reflect steps being taken to reduce custody expenses for the following reasons: In the table on , the number of SC Custody Employees represents allocated positions and not true • staffing levels in any given fiscal year. The Sheriff's Office routinely has 20-25 vacancies as well as 10-15 Custody staff out on various forms of extended leaves (i.e., injuries, FMLA, etc.) at any given point in time. Custody Division expenses related to inmate medical - dental, and mental health services, inmate food . services, the expansion of inmate programming, increases in the cost of services and supplies mandated to be provided to inmates while in our Custody, and staff salaries and benefits due to contract negotiated cost of living increases - all have contributed to the uncontrolled increase in the annual cost to house inmates in Solano County jails.

- The County Custody Division is not taking advantage of opportunities to internally address some of the diverging trends with respect to detainee management, such as leasing bed space, better use of the Rourk facility, etc. Response to Finding 2 – I disagree partially with the finding. The Sheriff's Office has leased beds to Napa County, Sonoma County, and Yuba County. I plan to continue this practice for counties on an as-needed basis. The Solano County Sheriff's Office is continually researching and exploring new opportunities with respect to detainee management. <b>RECOMMENDATION 2A</b> – The County revisit leasing available detention facility beds to other jurisdictions. Leasing bed space can improve facility occupancy and workload metrics that have minimum staffing requirements. Response to Recommendation 2A- This recommendation has been implemented on several occasions. We continue to be open to leasing beds to other counties, as staffing and space allow, in accordance with BSCC standards and law.

- Custody Division occupancy rate continues to decline. They are not efficiently addressing how to incorporate advances in detainment policies and changes in state laws. Response to Finding 3 - I disagree with this finding. Solano County Sheriff's Office continues to address advances in detainment policies and state laws on a regular basis. This is evidenced in the current BSCC inspections of our facilities, which have shown that we are in compliance. As an example, we have had to implement the newest legal mandates regarding incarcerated individuals and increased time out of the cell. We were challenged with evaluating our practices of how we classify incarcerated individuals. Sheriff's personnel developed a system that accomplished the state mandates but also balanced keeping our staff and incarcerated population as safe as possible. In fact, the leading state agency (BSCC) has used the Solano County Sheriff model as an example for other counties to follow. <b>RECOMMENDATION 3</b> – Custody Division evaluate alternate use of their facilities for less restrictive alternatives. Consider an electronic monitoring center, increase work furlough programs, and the use of less restrictive community- based Adult Residential Facilities or transitional housing. Response to Recommendation 3 - Recommendation partially implemented. The Sheriff's Office has an alternative to custody program/electronic monitoring, as well as work furlough and work release. Less restrictive community-based facilities and transitional housing are under the direction of Probation and the Courts. I would like to thank the Solano County Grand Jury for their time invested in this matter and for their report of findings and recommendations. As always, the recommendations and comments of the Solano County Grand Jury are appreciated. Respectfully Thomas A. Ferrara Sheriff-Coroner cc: Solano County Grand Jury County Administrator's Office