Response to Grand Jury Report Report Title: Custody and Corrections, and Other County Facilities Report Date: June 9,

The Humboldt County Correctional Facility staff makes an effort to treat the resident population with respect and compassion, often under very difficult conditions. Response: Agree HUMBOLDT COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS

Incoming and outgoing Correctional Deputies at the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program - Sheriff’s Farm do not regularly have an overlapping period at the Farm, resulting in a lack of transferred knowledge and skills. (F4) Response: Agree SHERIFF’S WORK ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS

The Sheriff’s Office Animal Shelter has multiple building maintenance issues such as the compromised roof and obsolete security cameras requiring immediate attention. The security camera issue was also noted by the 2021-2022 Grand Jury. (R4) Response: Agree

Several lamp posts in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office Animal Shelter have collapsed, and others are showing signs of continued deterioration, weakening the integrity of the metal, thereby endangering the public, staff, volunteers and parked vehicles. (R5) Response: Partially Agree. The county agrees that work needs to be done to improve the condition of the posts, however Humboldt County Public Works staff has completed work to make the existing poles safe for the public, volunteers and parked vehicles until the replacement project can be fully completed. COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER RECOMMENDATIONS

The Sempervirens Psychiatric Health Facility is a building in disrepair. The deferred maintenance issues concerning rain water leaking from windows, the ceiling, and drafty dormitory windows cause discomfort and increase anxiety for residents and staff. (R6) Response: Partially Agree. The county agrees that the advanced age of this facility poses deferred maintenance challenges such as drafty windows. For regular maintenance issues such as a broken window, Sempervirens staff submit work orders when needs arise, and the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) facilities team arranges to do the repairs. SEMPERVIRENS PSYCHIATRIC HEALTH FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS

The Humboldt County Coroner’s autopsy room cabinets and countertops are constructed of wood, a porous material, creating a potential biohazard for the staff. (R8) Response: Agree The Department of Public Works agrees that cabinets and countertops are constructed with wood and sanitation could be approved with alternative materials.

The Humboldt County Coroner’s evidence room lacks organized storage cabinets and has limited space, potentially compromising the secure storage and preservation of material needed for forensic, legal, and administrative purposes. (R9) Response: Agree The Department of Public Works agrees that the evidence room has limited space. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR RECCOMMENDATIONS