Sacramento County Grand Jury
• 2003-2004
• Agency Response
Sacramento County Jail Health Inmate Psychiatric Services
⚠️ 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 3 findings
F1
The Lindsay M. Hayes Report found that the intake forms being utilized were inadequate. In addition, these forms were not automatically being forwarded to the Jail Psychiatric Services (JPS). In response, the Main Jail staff has revised its current intake forms in accordance with national standards. All appropriate and relevant medical screening forms are now transmitted by fax to the JPS in a timely manner. Also, arresting officers complete newly developed forms to communicate medical information to the county jail medical staff. Grand Jury Recommendation 1. A yearly review should be conducted to determine the effectiveness of intake screening forms. Sheriff's Response 1. Agree with Finding - After more than 12 months of study and revisions prompted by recommendations from several correctional consultants and the Sheriff's Suicide Prevention Task Force, the three intake forms were revised and then initiated on October 1, 2003. These forms include the Receiving Screening Form, the Arresting Officer Observation Form and the Special Needs Form. A subsequent review of the Receiving Screening Form conducted in December of 2003 determined that the new revised version of the form generates the information required to successfully detect suicidal ideation and to appropriately refer new inmates to inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services. These forms must be restocked approximately every six months. Prior to printing, they are reviewed for necessary modifications or additions. Any significant changes must be approved by the Joint Custody, JPS, CHS Committee and the Sheriff's Suicide Prevention Task Force prior to implementation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Adopt this report as Sacramento County's response to recommendations contained in the 2003-2004 Grand Jury Final Report. 2. Instruct the Clerk of the Board to forward a copy of this response to 2003-2004 Grand Jury Final Report, to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. 3. Instruct the Clerk of the Board to forward a copy of this report, Response to 2003-2004 Grand Jury Final Report, to the Grand Jury Foreman, and to the Administrator of the Countywide Services Agency, and the Sheriffs Department. Measures/Evaluation Not applicable. Fiscal Impact The costs of responding to this report were not tracked. Both staff from Correctional Health Services and the Countywide Services Agency contributed to this effort. The costs were absorbed by each entity. BACKGROUND: Each year the Sacramento County Grand Jury concludes its work and releases its Final Report, typically the last week in June. The report, which can address a variety of activities, functions, and responsibilities of government, typically contains findings and recommendations. State law requires the affected governing bodies to respond to each of these recommendations with a response specifically directed to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. This response is required by September 30, 2004. Response to 2003-2004 Grand Jury Final Report The form of the County's responses as required by law is as follows: As to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: 1. The respondent agrees with the finding. 2. The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons. As to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: 1. The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. 2. The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation. 3. The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. 4. The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation. The recommended responses follow these requirements. DISCUSSION: The Grand Jury report for fiscal year 2003-2004 only had one report which related to County operations. The review and subsequent report titled "Sacramento County Jail Health Inmate Psychiatric Services" was undertaken to review whether the County (specifically the Sheriff's Department, Correctional Health Division) was administering psychiatric services to inmates in the Sacramento County Main Jail in a manner that was both effective and efficient. There are two responses to this report, one from the Sheriffs Department and one from the County Executive. Both of these responses are attached. MEASURES/EVALUATION: Not applicable. Response to 2003-2004 Grand Jury Final Report FINANCIAL ANALYSIS: The costs of responding to this report were not tracked. Both staff from Correctional Health Services and the Countywide Services Agency contributed to this effort. The costs were absorbed by each entity. Respectfully submitted: ___________________________ APPROVED: PENELOPE CLARKE Agency Administrator __________________________ Countywide Services Agency TERR Y SCH UTTEN County Executive Cc: Sheriff Lou Blanas, Sheriff's Department Chief David Lind, Sheriffs Department John O' Shaughnessy, Chief of Correctional Health Sacramento County Agenda and Record Processing Application Approval List Approval List for Agenda Item 103192 Geoff Davey 09/03/2004 Approved Penelope Clarke 09/03/2004 Approved Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Jail Health and Inmate Psychiatric Services Sacramento County Grand Jury Final Report 2003-2004
F2
The Lindsay M. Hayes Report stated that classification deputies conduct inmate interviews, examine forms and review two screening fields to capture information on an inmate's prior history. These deputies then use individual discretion to make referrals to the JPS staff. These referrals are not always made on consistent criteria. In response to the Lindsay M. Hayes Report, new classification forms have been implemented, which include questions regarding mental health and suicide. Grand Jury Recommendation 2. A software program should be developed to access quickly and accurately an inmate's prior health history for use by the classification deputies to ensure consistency in evaluation and referral. Sheriff's Response 2. Agree with Finding - The Sheriff's Department is currently partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a Request for Proposal for a software program and database which can access information on any inmate who has been prescribed medications for medical or mental health conditions which were provided by the Sacramento County Pharmacy. This pharmacy database will include most of the arrestees brought to the Sacramento County Jail.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Instruct the Clerk of the Board to forward a copy of this response to 2003-2004 Grand Jury Final Report, to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
F3
The Lindsay M. Hayes Report states that contrary to some national correctional standards, JPS staff does not conduct a mental health assessment on each inmate within 14 days of confinement. In response, the Sheriff's Suicide Prevention Task Force indicated that it would be cost prohibitive to conduct reviews of health records for every inmate. However, there is a mental health screening of all inmates at intake. Grand Jury Recommendation 3. Inmates who have been in the system before should have their records checked for mental health issues within 14 days. Sheriff's Response 3. Disagree with Finding - All inmates are interviewed in person by a Registered Nurse at intake. They are screened for mental health issues during this interview. This includes a review of any past mental health problems including previously diagnosed psychiatric issues, hospitalizations, medications and any prior or present suicidality. As stated in the Lindsay M. Hayes Report, it would be cost prohibitive to conduct reviews of health records for every inmate. In December 2003, Jail Psychiatric Services contracted with another consultant, Dr. Joel Dvoskin to review the program. Dr. Dvoskin stated that the initial intake screening was generating a much higher percentage of referrals than most other jails. Sacramento County intake policies are erring on the side of precaution rather than running the risk of missing any cases. Dr. Dvoskin also states that on average 10-15% of all new inmates will end up receiving mental health services. Sacramento County Jail Psychiatric Services provides care for approximately 16% of the total jail population. B. TRAINING
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Instruct the Clerk of the Board to forward a copy of this report, Response to 2003-2004 Grand Jury Final Report, to the Grand Jury Foreman, and to the Administrator of the Countywide Services Agency, and the Sheriffs Department. Measures/Evaluation Not applicable. Fiscal Impact The costs of responding to this report were not tracked. Both staff from Correctional Health Services and the Countywide Services Agency contributed to this effort. The costs were absorbed by each entity.