Jail and Probation Department Tours

The Grand Jury found that the Jail and Juvenile Hall are clean and well-maintained. Both operations have budgetary limitations but are working well within those limitations. Given the physical limitations and understaffing of the Jail, it seems to be very well run. The prisoners seem to be treated humanely. The Sheriff and Sergeant were professional, helpful and were rightfully proud of their operation. • Recommendations: none

The Grand Jury found that AB 109 has not yet seriously impacted the functions of the Jail. Staff, however, predict that the number of full-time prisoners will increase to 15 by the end of this year. There is a concern about mixing career criminals with those who have merely 37 slipped up and the Grand Jury found that this problem will only become more extreme as the Jail houses more long-term inmates. • Recommendation: the County should be planning ahead to determine a viable solution to housing long-term inmates as a result of AB 109.

The Grand Jury found that the Voluntary Work Assignment program is valuable to both inmates and the community, yet the amount of time that inmates can volunteer in this program is limited due to current staffing levels. • Recommendation: the Voluntary Work Assignments program (community service) is excellent and serves a useful purpose to society and gives inmates a sense of purpose. The outdoor work is healthy, both mentally and physically. With additional staff, the program could be expanded to 7 days a week and the Grand Jury recommends that additional staff be hired for this purpose.

The Grand Jury found that there are only two cook staff members and when one is sick or on vacation, the other staff person must work additional and/or consecutive days to insure that the inmates are fed. • Recommendation: a third cook, possibly as a part-time position if feasible, should be hired to allow the 2 current cooks regular time-off and to fill-in during emergencies.

The Grand Jury found that during non-business hours, the Jail and Dispatch operations have limited staff which could pose a concern for both inmates and Jail employees. The Grand Jury found that minimum Jail staffing of two persons on a shift at one time seems low, especially when one of the staff is the 911 operator and Dispatcher. • Recommendation: the Grand Jury recommends that a minimum staffing standard should be established and adhered to as a matter of safety for both inmates and Jail employees. Additional staff should be hired.

the Grand Jury learned that the 911 Dispatch system and the prison electronic controls systems are reaching the end of their life expectancy. The Board of Supervisors is aware of the need to replace these systems; however, replacement funding has not yet been implemented.

The Grand Jury found that the lack of physical and mental recreation and classroom learning opportunities for the inmates needs to be mitigated, especially with the recent addition of long-term prisoners. The Jail, as it now stands, does not have available space for classrooms and the exterior exercise yard is small and depressing. The 3-5 hours of outside exercise per week is insufficient. • Recommendation: the Grand Jury therefore recommends funding for a classroom for inmates and outside additional space for outdoor programs, and plus an expansion of the existing Jail (or, ideally, a new facility). 38

The Grand Jury found that the CASA program is highly effective in Inyo County in working with juveniles, and that building upon this program in Mono County could be beneficial. • Recommendation: the Grand Jury recommends the establishment of a Establish a County-wide Juvenile Services Advisory Board. The Grand Jury also recommends funding and encouraging Encourage and fund the CASA program by offering training and volunteer recruitment.

The Grand Jury found that there is no statewide database for probationers or juveniles, which means that there is no inter-county exchange of information. In fact, this prevents the Department from communicating with the Court itself. • Recommendation: none

The Grand Jury found that there are approximately 130 drug offenders on probation, yet there are no resources such as half-way houses available in Mono County. The Grand Jury found that the Probation Department was under-staffed which limits the amount of contact dedicated to each probationer. • Recommendation: the Grand Jury recommends hiring two to three additional Probation Officers as each Probation Officer currently has a large caseload (80- 130 cases). Additional staff would insure that more home visitations occur. • Recommendation: the Grand Jury recommends that the County seek funding for a half-way house, similar to the one once located in Mammoth Lakes.

The Grand Jury found that the front door to the Juvenile Hall/Probation facility is not sufficiently secured. The Grand Jury also found that the facility lobby is open and there is no physical barrier to prevent irate individuals from accessing staff and/or the facility. • Recommendation: the Grand Jury recommends providing security in the existing Juvenile Hall/Probation building by constructing a counter/partition in the lobby area and strengthening the exterior door locking mechanism. 39