Preston Youth Correctional Facility

Although Amador LAFCO had not become completely effective by December 2006, as the Grand Jury Report of 2005/2006 had recommended, it has made significant strides toward that goal, primarily because of the addition of a highly knowledgeable and experienced Executive Officer, who was retained in February 2006. All of the City and County officials interviewed had high praise for the work of the Executive Officer and the progress made in the last two years by LAFCO. Citizens may access the Amador LAFCO website at www.co.amador.ca.us/LAFCO

Amador LAFCO is still out of compliance with California State Law, the Cortese-Knox- Hertzberg Act of 2000 which directs all county LAFCOs to conduct Municipal Services Reviews no less often than every five years. LAFCO was to have completed and adopted the required MSR no later than December 31, 2007, and it will not be completed and adopted until July 2008 per the Executive Officer

According to LAFCO Executive Officer and City and County officials interviewed the failure of LAFCO to complete the MSR has not, as yet, affected the approval of any projects or annexations of proposed areas, because updates of general plans are currently underway by each these entities.

By not complying with California State Law, Amador County runs the risk of lawsuits from developers who otherwise would have been able to develop land in the areas. 17

The Grand Jury also recommends that the 2008-2009 Grand Jury follow up to ascertain progress on the Municipal Services Review effort.

As an associated task the Grand Jury recommends that the 2008-2009 Grand Jury assess and report on the progress of all city and county General Plan progress. Response Required: Response to the Findings and Recommendations in this report is required from the Amador County Local Agency Formation Commission and the Amador County Board of Supervisors pursuant to Penal Code sections 933, subdivision (c), and 933.05. Criminal Justice Detention Facilities Introduction: Pursuant to Penal Code Section 919 Subsection (b) the Grand Jury is required to conduct an annual review of the conditions and management of all correctional facilities located within Amador County. As a result, the 2007-2008 Amador County Grand Jury reviewed and toured the daily operations of the following facilities: Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp Background: The Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp has been in operation for 63 years. It is a jointly run facility through the cooperation of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Juvenile Justice Division, and CAL FIRE. It is located on 80 acres near Pine Grove. It is a training facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of incarcerated juveniles, and conserving California’s forest land and natural resources. The facility houses wards that meet the criteria and have been pre-approved to be housed in an outside “camp” setting. During their sentences at the Camp, the wards participate in Education programs, Life Skills development, Fire fighting, and Fire prevention training. Method of Review: The 2007-2008 Grand Jury’s review of the Pine Grove Conservation Camp consisted of the following: Individuals Interviewed: Superintendent CAL FIRE Division Chief Nurse, Youth Camp Documents Reviewed: Pine Grove Youth Conservation Brochure-Open House November 3, 2005 Organizational Chart “53 Points of Light” Quarterly Public Service Report Statistics - April through June 2006 Staff News – June 20, 2003 19 “Today in California Youth Authority” – 2001 Edition Sites Toured: Administrative Offices Dorms Dining Hall Medical Area Education Area/Classrooms Physical Fitness room/gym Work Areas Facts: