Ventura County Grand Jury • 2015-2016

Annual Detention Facilities and Law Enforcement Issues

Published: May 24, 2016 19 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 41 findings

F01
The Grand Jury rated all holding cells in the County as satisfactory or better for the areas reviewed with the exception of:  The Oxnard Police holding cell area was dirty.  The Moorpark police station internal camera system was inoperative. (FA-01, FA-18, FA-27)
No recommendations for this finding
F02
The financial situation of the City of Santa Paula has imposed serious constraints on the functionality and capabilities of its police force which have affected public safety. (FA-21, FA-22, FA-23, FA-24, FA-25, FA-26)
No recommendations for this finding
F03
Consistent with the prior grand jury report, this Grand Jury found that the wards and the staff at the VYCF need to be held accountable for the cleanliness of the living quarters. (FA-31)
No recommendations for this finding
F04
The VCPAJF padded safety room has areas not visible from the window in the door. This poses a safety risk to youths who may do harm to themselves. (FA-41)
No recommendations for this finding
F05
The Grand Jury found that the efforts of the County law enforcement community have been complicated by the combined effects of Realignment (AB 109) and Prop 47. The effects range from continued pressure on jail population to changes in some offender’s behavior by limiting offenses below the Prop 47 felony threshold. These, in turn, may be driving up crime rates in certain categories. (FA-02, FA-03, FA-05, FA-07, FA-09, FA-11)
No recommendations for this finding
F06
The Grand Jury found that the law enforcement community has an increased awareness of the magnitude of mental health issues to be addressed. While the addition of the medical/mental health facility at Todd Road will be a valuable asset, the facility cannot, by itself, be the complete solution for the issues posed by the Severe Persistent Mental Illness cases in the jails, let alone the other mental health support challenges. The problem clearly requires continued attention to characterize and identify solutions. (FA-04, FA-08, FA-14, FA-15, FA-35, FA-38, FA-39, FA-40)
No recommendations for this finding
F07
The Grand Jury found that, while 12 Step programs are offered in the Ventura County jail system, given the percentage of inmates identified as having substance abuse issues, the opportunity for participation by inmates in these 12 Step meetings needs to increase. (FA-07, FA-08, FA-13, FA- 14, FA-15)
No recommendations for this finding
F08
The Grand Jury found that five facilities were noted to have staffing adequacy issues. (FA-04) (Att-01) 10 Annual Detention Facilities and Law Enforcement Issues Recommendations
No recommendations for this finding
F09
Originally, the Main Jail was designated for shorter term incarceration while Todd Road Jail was intended for longer term incarceration. Due to capacity limitations, inmates are transferred between these two jails to minimize overcrowding at both facilities.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The staff is fully informed about Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) procedures. The INS has access to the Main Jail system files and runs its own inquiries.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The length of inmate sentences at Todd Road Jail has been increasing due to AB 109 and the effects of Prop 47. Currently the longest sentence at Todd Road is 12 years; the shortest is 30 days.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The medical facility at Todd Road Jail is equivalent to an outpatient clinic. There are two primary care physicians, four days a week; one full time and one part time psychiatrist; two registered nurses 24/7 plus nurse practitioners. Medications are prescribed and dispensed at the medical facility. The inmates may refuse medication.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
One major objective of the health professionals at Todd Road Jail is to bridge inmates with medical/mental health issues to a supportive environment by connecting them with transition organizations upon their release. This transitional process includes providing five to seven days of medications upon release.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Todd Road Jail inmate programs include educational/vocational programs, substance abuse treatment and education programs, a re-entry planning program, and religious services. Additionally, the inmates may attend 12 Step program meetings. The Grand Jury learned that the 12 Step program is available to inmates on a limited basis. Where costs are involved, programs are paid for by a fund established through the purchase of phone cards and commissary items by the inmates. The programs are not paid for out of the County General Fund.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
The Classification Units at Todd Road Jail and Main Jail determine the classification of each inmate. The factors determining their classification are based on the criminal history, tendency to violent behavior, need for protective custody, need for administrative segregation, and need for 6 Annual Detention Facilities and Law Enforcement Issues medical or other special care. The inmates wear colored wrist bands indicating their classification. Todd Road Jail has become a “de facto mental health facility”. The Sheriff’s Office applied for and recently received a State grant to build a 64-bed medical facility including treatment for physical and mental illness. The cost of the facility is estimated at $64 million. (Ref-13)
No recommendations for this finding
F16
A recent policy change made it possible for new graduates from the Sheriff’s Academy to be assigned to the jails for a period of three to four years. Prior to this change, the assignment period was six years. Each new officer is assigned a jail training officer who administers further training relating to the Manual of Procedures and indoctrination in skills needed. Other Detention Facilities
No recommendations for this finding
F17
The Grand Jury noted that the City of Oxnard installed benches in one holding cell as had been recommended by previous grand juries.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The City of Oxnard provides maintenance for the police station including the holding cell area; however, it was not very clean. There was toilet paper on the ceiling, dirt in the corners, and cracks in the tile flooring.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
As of January 12, 2016, Simi Valley Police Department’s last fire inspection occurred on June 7, 2012. Consequently, the Simi Valley Station does not have a current fire clearance. Fire inspections are required once every two years (Section 1032 Title 15 CCR).
No recommendations for this finding
F20
As of January 12, 2016, Simi Valley Police Department’s Station Environmental Health and Medical/Mental Health inspection is overdue. These evaluations must occur annually.
No recommendations for this finding
F21
The Santa Paula Police Department’s salaries are on a lower pay scale than the Sheriff’s Office and city police departments within the County. As a consequence, they have a high turnover of officers. As of October 19, 2015, there were 28 sworn officers on staff with four to five on duty each shift. The staffing goal is 30 to 40 sworn officers to increase community presence and to staff special units.
No recommendations for this finding
F22
The Santa Paula Police Department’s gang unit has been disbanded due to financial constraints. It was reported that “gangs in the area are out-of- control”. The staffing shortage has forced the Santa Paula Police Department to be reactive versus proactive in their approach to policing.
No recommendations for this finding
F23
The Santa Paula Police Department’s station roof leaks. Maintenance of this facility is provided by the City of Santa Paula.
No recommendations for this finding
F24
The age of the Santa Paula Police Department’s station, built in the 1930s, inhibits its modification to allow upgrading their technological capabilities. Annual Detention Facilities and Law Enforcement Issues 7
No recommendations for this finding
F25
As of January 12, 2016, the Santa Paula Police station’s most recent fire inspection occurred on June 19, 2013. Consequently, the station does not have a current fire clearance. Fire inspections are required once every two years.
No recommendations for this finding
F26
As of January 12, 2016, the Santa Paula Police station inspection by the Ventura County Health Department was overdue. These evaluations must occur annually.
No recommendations for this finding
F27
Due to a funding issue, the inoperable internal camera system at the Moorpark Police Station has not been repaired for the past three to four years. Juvenile Facilities
No recommendations for this finding
F28
The Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF) is the only co-ed facility in the State Juvenile Correction System. The ward’s ages range from 13 to 25. A ward’s stay at the facility averages two to two and one half years (2-2½). At the time of the inspection, the oldest ward was 23; the youngest approximately 15 or 16. The wards at VYCF have committed crimes that are classified by the California Penal Code Section 707(b), as serious violent crimes including murder, kidnapping, grand theft, and sex offenses. (Ref-14)
No recommendations for this finding
F29
The VYCF facility was built in 1962 with 38 housing units. As of November 30, 2015, it housed 237 wards; 26 females, 211 males, with three awaiting their transfer to prison. Only 12 of the 38 housing units are being utilized. Each housing unit has a Youth Correctional Counselor (YCC) on duty 24/7.
No recommendations for this finding
F30
At VYCF wards may participate in an apprenticeship program to help with the unit renovation. These wards earn program credits and are paid for jobs performed. The pay scale is based on “levels” and is determined by such criteria as overall behavior, school participation, and compliance with the institutional rules.
No recommendations for this finding
F31
Part of the responsibility of the VCYF wards is to maintain neatness and cleanliness in their individual cells and surrounding common living areas. One of the YCC’s responsibilities is to oversee their compliance. The rooms were unkempt, floors and walls were dirty, windows were covered, and inappropriate pictures were on the walls.
No recommendations for this finding
F32
All VCYF wards are required to work toward receiving a high school diploma or to pass the GED exam. They may attend a high school in the VYCF that is fully-accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or take online courses to acquire an associate degree. The educational environment is structured to provide separate classes for males and females. Annual Detention Facilities and Law Enforcement Issues
No recommendations for this finding
F33
The Ventura Youth Correctional Facility website states: “DJJ [Department of Juvenile Justice] considers a high school diploma or GED equivalent a minimum requirement for parole consideration.” If the ward’s stay at VYCF does not permit completing a formal high school curriculum, they are then “…guided to a General Education Development (GED) program”. A recent bill, Senate Bill 172 (Liu) states that the wards are required to complete the curriculum but do not have to sit for the California High School Exit Examination. (Ref-15, Ref-16)
No recommendations for this finding
F34
The wards at the VYCF are directed to participate in the “Impact of Crime on Victims Program” which addresses the effect their crime had on the victims, their families, and the community. (Ref-17)
No recommendations for this finding
F35
At the time of the inspection, November 30, 2015, there were 40 wards at the VYCF in the mental health program, 60 on psychotropic medications, and 18 designated as high-risk for suicide.
No recommendations for this finding
F36
The Ventura County Probation Agency Juvenile Facility (VCPAJF) is a detention facility for those youths, both male and female, going through the court process or those whose charges have been sustained. These youths are considered delinquent, have committed crimes, or have probation violations. This facility makes heavy use of incentives to help manage the youth’s behavior and personal growth. Each of the 90 youths housed at the VCPAJF maintains his/her own personal cell area and by doing so earns incentive credits. Appropriate behavior allows them to participate in special programs and have additional privileges. These incentives also allow the youth to earn a reduction of time served.
No recommendations for this finding
F37
At VCPAJF, programs are offered in trades such as construction, plumbing, electrical wiring, and silk screen printing.
No recommendations for this finding
F38
Per the Juvenile Justice Subsystem website, “The Juvenile Justice (JJ) Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) team has training, expertise, and experience in juvenile forensic mental health services, a unique clinical specialty in the behavioral health system of care. JJ VCBH staff work within the Juvenile Facility with youth in detention and partner with Probation in both blending mental health treatment within facility operations, and enhancing the facility’s rehabilitation milieu. JJ VCBH staff have clinical skills specifically honed to work with juvenile offenders.” (Ref-18)
No recommendations for this finding
F39
The VCPAJF received a grant to develop an eight-hour version of Crisis Intervention Team training for staff. Subsequently, the original program was expanded to 40 hours for all employees. It is expected that the full cycle for training all the staff will take four years.
No recommendations for this finding
F40
At least 75% of the youths housed at the VCPAJF have some type of mental health issue and are either in therapy and/or on medication. Annual Detention Facilities and Law Enforcement Issues 9
No recommendations for this finding
F41
The VCPAJF has a padded safety room for those individuals who are in crisis. This room has areas that are not visible from the window in the door. Findings
No recommendations for this finding

Commendations 3

Agency Responses 2

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

No Responses Found 4

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Moorpark City
Santa Paula City
Ventura County County
Ventura County Sheriff Elected County Office