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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.
Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
F13. Jail programs like “Stepping Up” steers the mentally ill to community-based
⚠️ 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 4 findings
F13
Page 24
Jail programs like “Stepping Up” steers the mentally ill to community-based mental health care, reducing the number of mentally ill inmates in jail.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Page 24
By the end of fiscal year 2024-2025, the Grand Jury recommends the Sheriff develop a plan to implement more Jail diversion programs (like Stepping Up) that steer the Mentally Ill away from jail and to the help they need. (F13)
F14
Page 24
The current practice of reviewing inmate classification monthly is too long of an interval and may endanger inmates suffering from mentally illness.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
Page 24
By the end of calendar year 2024, the Grand Jury recommends the Sheriff change the Reclassification examination of mentally ill inmates from a monthly basis to a weekly basis to prevent misclassified inmates from suffering needlessly. (F14)
F15
Page 24
The failure of Wellpath to recruit and retain adequate staff adversely impacts the overall effectiveness of the mental health services provided to inmates.
Related Recommendations (2)
R12
Page 24
By the end of the calendar year 2024, the Grand Jury recommends the Sheriff conduct an analysis of the effectiveness of Wellpath in regards to all mental health services of incarcerated persons. (F15)
R13
Page 24
By the end of calendar year 2024, the Grand Jury recommends the Wellpath be directed to provide round-the-clock medical and mental health care availability to the Jails. (F15) Group 3: Access to Inmate Interviews and Rehabilitation Programs
F16
Page 24
The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury was not permitted to interview inmates serving sentences at the Rountree Rehabilitation and Reentry Facility as required by the Bureau of State Community and Corrections. Speaking to some inmates about their experiences and opinions of the programs would have greatly enhanced the Jail investigation and report.
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
Page 24
The Grand Jury recommends the Sheriff begin to allow the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury interviews of inmates per Penal Code 916 including observing inmate classes and programs (F16)