Score: -2
(0/9/2)
Trinity County Grand Jury
• 2011-2012
Trinity County Detention Facility: Disaster Pending! Grand Jury*
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 8 findings
F1
The 8/15/11 response to the 2010-2011 Grand Jury Report stated, "The video system is failing and plans are underway to have it replaced in the coming weeks". Although new security cameras have been purchased (some time ago), to date they have not been installed. At the time of the tour only one of the old cameras appeared to be working.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
It is imperative for the safety of the staff and inmates that the monitoring system be functional. It is the top priority for replacement. Complete the installation immediately.
R1a
The facility must be brought into CSA compliance and/or be replaced to be eligible for State protection from potential lawsuits.
R1b
1 Perform interim repairs as practical, with highest priority on those that affect inmate and staff safety and security. Look at funding from Homeland Security, FEMA, and/or other revenue sources including CA Assembly Bill AB111, for a new Jail Facility and/or ideally a green Justice Center that would include providing reserve beds for temporary Federal Government prisoners (a potential revenue source). Although it may seem extreme, we have an extreme problem. Investigate non-traditional funding sources, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Yahoo!, or the ABC "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" program for assistance with creating a new Jail Facility. For other alternatives see JUR2010/2011-001, "Trinity County Jail - A Mandate or a Dead Weight?".
F2
The mandates of California Bill AB109 are overloading a Jail facility that is not designed for long term housing. Due to the overcrowding the Law Enforcement Officers are having to make a determination as to whether to arrest, or just cite an individual because "There is no room at the Inn".
Related Recommendations (2)
R2a
Look for housing for long term inmates in surrounding counties.
R2b
Pay the State Prison bed fee of $137.00 per day, or CalFire bed fee of $45.00 per day to house these inmates until funding for a new facility is acquired.
F3
There are a number of maintenance and repairs that need attention.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
In conjunction with County General Services staff, use jail trustees to perform required maintenance. For example, but not limited to, holes in the walls, weed control and security cameras.
F4
Female staffing continues to be inadequate. Gender specific positions can be advertised for a detention facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Advertise and fill the position that is gender specific.
F5
There is a mixing of inmates that are pre-trial, trustee, and felony offenders.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Find alternative means to separate the classes of inmates: such as monitoring devices, work release programs, housing elsewhere.
F6
Lack of supervisorial personnel and funding has been the catch all excuse for many years. With the County's limited resources, management must prioritize both staffing and funding needs.
Related Recommendations (3)
R6
Upon hiring, train new Dispatchers in the geographic service areas (including mile markers) of Trinity County to ensure correct dispatch of emergency services. Develop and maintain effective reference materials in the Communications Center to support accurate location identification.
R6a
To minimize the County's liability issues, management must prioritize resources for maintenance and repairs.
R6b
A strategic plan for funding a new facility should be developed and implemented immediately.
F7
The concertina wire surrounding the inmate exercise yard leaves a potential for escape. The wire is ineffective and unsafe for inmates and staff, and poses a threat to public safety.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Identify and contract with a qualified installer to replace the concertina wire.
F8
The designated area for dispensing medications is unsafe due to inadequate space and security measures.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
When medical staff is on-site, administration of medications by correction officers should be moved to an actual medical room on the premises. Installation of a camera in the medication room for monitoring purposes would improve safety of staff and inmates. :
Conclusions 7
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CL1There are a number of maintenance and repairs that need attention.
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CL2Female staffing continues to be inadequate. Gender specific positions can be advertised for a detention facility.
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CL3Lack of supervisorial personnel and funding has been the catch all excuse for many years. With the County's limited resources, management must prioritize both staffing and funding needs.
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CL4The 8/15/11 response to the 2010-2011 Grand Jury Report stated, "The video system is failing and plans are underway to have it replaced in the coming weeks". Although new security cameras have been purchased (some time ago), to date they have not been installed. At the time of the tour only one of the old cameras appeared to be working.
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CL5The mandates of California Bill AB109 are overloading a Jail facility that is not designed for long term housing. Due to the overcrowding the Law Enforcement Officers are having to make a determination as to whether to arrest, or just cite an individual because "There is no room at the Inn'
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CL6There is a mixing of inmates that are pre-trial, trustee, and felony offenders.
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CL7The liability issues of inaction cannot be stressed enough. Action must be taken to prevent the possible liability issues becoming a reality for this County. For every failure to act, there is a consequence. Findings and RT.. ecommend• ati• ons Finding 1: The 8/15/11 response to the 2010-2011 Grand Jury Report stated, "The video system is failing and plans are underway to have it replaced in the coming weeks". Although new security cameras have been purchased (some time ago), to date they have not been installed. At the time of the tour only one of the old cameras appeared to be working. Recommendation 1: It is imperative for the safety of the staff and inmates that the monitoring system be functional. It is the top priority for replacement. Complete the installation immediately. Finding 2: The mandates of California Bill AB109 are overloading a Jail facility that is not designed for long term housing. Due to the overcrowding the Law Enforcement Officers are having to make a determination as to whether to arrest, or just cite an individual because "There is no room at the Inn' Recommendation 2a: Look for housing for long term inmates in surrounding counties. Recommendation 2b: Pay the State Prison bed fee of $137.00 per day, or CalFire bed fee of $45.00 per day to house these inmates until funding for a new facility is acquired. 4 Finding 3: There are a number of maintenance and repairs that need attention. Recommendation 3: In conjunction with County General Services staff, use jail trustees to perform required maintenance. For example, but not limited to, holes in the walls, weed control and security cameras. Finding 4: Female staffing continues to be inadequate. Gender specific positions can be advertised for a detention facility. Recommendation 4: Advertise and fill the position that is gender specific. Finding 5: There is a mixing of inmates that are pre-trial, trustee, and felony offenders. Recommendation 5: Find alternative means to separate the classes of inmates: such as monitoring devices, work release programs, housing elsewhere. Finding 6: Lack of supervisorial personnel and funding has been the catch all excuse for many years. With the County's limited resources, management must prioritize both staffing and funding needs. Recommendation 6a: To minimize the County's liability issues, management must prioritize resources for maintenance and repairs. Recommendation 6b: A strategic plan for funding a new facility should be developed and implemented immediately. 5
Agency Responses 3
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Trinity County Sheriff
Elected County Office
* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.