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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Siskiyou County Grand Jury • 2018-2019

Opportunities include lumber milling, furniture construction, animal husbandry, and other skills. Additional work

Published: May 21, 2019 5 pages
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Findings 4 findings

F1 Page 54
As a result of AB109, the jail has been operating beyond design capacity for 52 many years and the jail cannot be modified to increase capacity. The need to release prisoners, to make room for higher risk ones, places an unacceptable risk to the citizens of Siskiyou County and the facility staff working there. A larger, modern and better equipped jail is desperately needed. The county’s application for state funding ($20 million from AB900) was awarded but the county is required to contribute the remaining funds (approximately $2 to $4 million). Funding is currently under consideration by the BOS. If such additional funding is provided by the county, the plan is to modify the existing Charlie Byrd Juvenile Correctional Center with an estimated date for completion in 2023.
F2 Page 55
The potential for the county to participate in the Deadwood Conservation Camp program could possibly save the county money. While this may have an impact with the Day Reporting Center operation, the advantages of entering into a contract with Deadwood should be investigated. The need to investigate participation in the Deadwood Program becomes greater, considering the overcrowded condition of the current jail, the estimated completion time for a new jail facility, and subsequent release of inmates to make room for higher risk prisoners. Although leadership within the county has implemented programs such as the DRC, jail overcrowding remains a significant issue. It appears that other options such as the Deadwood Program, have remained undeveloped.
F3 Page 55
Access to the Day Reporting Center for inmates without reliable contact information means the Center may not be able to reach a prisoner when necessary. A primary objective of the DRC is to prevent a re-occurrence of an offense. The lack of inmate contact information can contribute to a failure to achieve that goal. The DRC is being utilized to accommodate inmates who cannot be placed into the jail due to overcrowding. Some of them become homeless after release from jail. The DRC does not have an adequate system to contact homeless inmates participating in the DRC program There is a possible threat to public safety if the DRC cannot contact a released inmate due to lack of contact information.
F4 Page 55
Individuals released from central booking who live outside of Yreka, with no way to return home within Siskiyou County, is still an unresolved issue. From years past, prior to release, jail staff attempts to arrange for transportation. A better program to insure public safety is not defined. The example given of a homeless individual picked up in Weed was arrested and released five times in one night underscores the problem.

Recommendations 13