Nevada County Grand Jury
• 2021-2022
Nevada County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Welfare Fund: Tipping the Scale in Criminal Justice
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 10 findings
F1
The overtime noted in the last six years indicates the need for additional staff. (Fact1) (R1)
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Use a portion of the $557k IWF balance to create a IWF coordinator position. The job description will include establishing partnerships with non-profits, programs, and application and management of grants. (F1) (F5) (F9)
F2
The Sheriff’s Office Policy 1001 reference to the IWF for the ‘general’ inmate population may artificially limit programs beneficial to inmate welfare. Reference to ‘capital improvements’ may lead Nevada County to use the funds in conflict with Penal Code §4025. (Fact2) (R2)
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Update Sheriff’s Office Policy 1001 with the appropriate verbiage found in Penal Code §4025 to avoid a misuse of this fund. (F2)
F3
The NCSO has not provided an annual report of the itemized IWF expenditures to the BoS for the last six years as per Penal Code §4025. (Fact3) (R3)
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Maintain compliance with Penal Code §4025 by presenting an itemized list of expenditures from the IWF annually to the BoS. (F3)
F4
The Aramark contract for food and commissary services at WBCF was renewed without issuing a competitive request for proposal (RFP). (Fact4) (R4)
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Initiate a competitive RFP process before the current food and commissary contract expires. Request proposals from qualified vendors. (F4) (Recommendation R5 intentionally omitted)
F5
The IWF will continue to serve as a financial resource towards improving the welfare of the inmates incarcerated in Nevada County. The decrease in the Telemate funds from $0.21 to $0.07 will not diminish the overall balance. (Fact 5) (R1)
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Use a portion of the $557k IWF balance to create a IWF coordinator position. The job description will include establishing partnerships with non-profits, programs, and application and management of grants. (F1) (F5) (F9)
F6
The Jury found there was no clear and transparent process or point of contact within NCSO to evaluate potential non-profit or profit partnerships. (Fact6) (R6)
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Create a process to develop and implement partnership opportunities, including sharing grants, free services (AA/NA), and government programs (e.g., 4025.5). (F6)
F7
The NCSO did not provide inmate programs to the same extent as other comparable counties during the last two years. Other counties (e.g., Humboldt) continued programs, ensuring availability of programs for the inmate’s welfare. (Fact7) (R7)
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Establish an objective for a fully utilized, low targeted IWF balance and spend the IWF efficiently for programs to benefit inmates. (F7)
F8
For the last two years, programs listed on the NCSO website were curtailed or suspended. (Fact8) (R8)
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Maintain the NCSO website to accurately reflect the status of the programs listed. (F8) (Recommendation R9 intentionally omitted)
F9
The Jury found NCSO did not have adequate staff to apply for grants, develop programs, or establish partnerships for the benefit to the inmates. (Fact9a) (Fact9b) (R1)
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Use a portion of the $557k IWF balance to create a IWF coordinator position. The job description will include establishing partnerships with non-profits, programs, and application and management of grants. (F1) (F5) (F9)
F10
The Jury found the NCSO lacks programs such as Humboldt’s SWAP or the JBCP to benefit inmates. (Fact10) (R10)
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Leverage successes from other California counties by developing and implementing programs to enhance inmate welfare (e.g., SWAP, and JBCP). (F10)
Conclusions 12
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CL1 Page 12Evaluating the inmate population to recommend appropriate programs for the inmate welfare
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CL2 Page 12Exploring and applying for grants to benefit inmates
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CL3 Page 12Partnering with non-profit organizations or within the Nevada County government
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CL4 Page 12Establishing a re-entry program for inmates
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CL5 Page 12Administering and supporting an IWF committee
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CL6 Page 12Working to establish the mental health programs for those incompetent to stand trial, such as the JPCP in Humboldt County
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CL7 Page 12Establishing appropriate educational opportunities and partnerships for high school and advanced degree programs
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CL8 Page 12Investing time to explore programs for crafts, hobbies
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CL9 Page 12Exploring and proposing internal wage-earning options for inmates
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CL10 Page 12Establishing post-incarceration career opportunities with the community
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CL11 Page 12Investigating other detention centers for IWF best practices
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CL12 Page 12Working closely with staff, fiscal officer, to establish the annual BoS presentations for the IWF Those who benefit directly from the IWF are the inmates. Their lives have the potential to be enriched by education, work programs, re-entry assistance, drug and alcohol abuse programs, parenting classes, etc. The staff of the NCSO, the community, and partnerships with non-profits who help inmates and inmate’s families will benefit from the potential programs the IWF could support.
Commendations 1
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CM1 Page 13During this investigation, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) staff assisted proactively with the Nevada County Grand Jury (Jury) in this Inmate Welfare Fund (IWF) investigation. The consistent theme in this assistance was for the safety and protection of the inmates and concern for their welfare. As a part of the statutory duty of the Jury, in March 2022, detention facility inspections were conducted at the Washington Ridge Conservation Camp, the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility (WBCF), the Nevada County Courthouse Holding Facility, and the Truckee Substation Holding Facility. During these inspections, the Jury met and interviewed numerous correctional officers of many different ranks. Respect for every staffer vaulted to high levels after the tours. The genuine caring for the people under their charge was palpably evident. The circumstances are extreme under which this care is provided, especially at WBCF. In addition, the diverse personality types of the inmates are challenging. The Jury stands and applauds the daily dose of humanity served by the men and women who perform this noble work in such trying conditions.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Nevada County Sheriff
Elected County Office