Mendocino County Grand Jury • 2007-2008 • Agency Response
Response to: Free!!!, Get Your GED Here!!! A Report on the Mendocino County Jail, Holding Cells and Sheriff's Evidence Room

Home Away from Home a report on Mendocino County Juvenile Hall June 11, 2008

Published: June 11, 2008 7 pages
Ver PDF original

Findings and Recommendations 32 findings

F1
The Juvenile Hall staff consists of: one Superintendent, five Supervising Correctional Officers, 21 Correctional Counselors, four kitchen staff, one Mental Health Clinician, and one Licensed Vocational Nurse. There are three unfilled full-time Correctional Counselor positions. Three staff members are bilingual. A contract physician is available six days a week. Response: The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding. Combined Responses: Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Juvenile Hall Superintendent
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The staff work eight-hour shifts, five days per week, with rotating days off. This schedule provides two days off during the week, so employees can attend continuing education classes or perform community service, if they wish. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The County pays overtime because adequate staffing is a state mandate. Employees can choose whether to receive their overtime compensation as paid time off or as direct wages. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The video observation and security systems for doors and common areas throughout the facility are monitored at all times. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Mendocino County General Services Agency provides maintenance. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
MCJH has a generator for back-up power in the in-take/release building. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Last year’s Grand Jury reported an average occupancy of 27 to 35. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The maximum capacity of the facility is 43 youth; the average is 37 to 38. At the time of the Grand Jury site visit, the facility was at full capacity. Response: The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding. Combined Responses: Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Juvenile Hall Superintendent
No recommendations for this finding
F9
All youth fill out a health questionnaire and receive a tuberculosis test upon entry. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The newer building contains the in-take and release unit. The in-take/booking area includes a shower, two interview rooms, two holding cells, and a medical exam room. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The facility is divided into 3 units: • Unit A is for females • Unit B is for males • Unit C is for older, more sophisticated, violent, and/or youths charged with serious crimes. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Unit C is fully self-contained; it is a high security unit and has its own classroom, showers, exercise area, and dining area with food brought in from the kitchen. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
At night, individual cells are visually checked every 15 minutes by staff. Each cell has an emergency call button. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
School attendance is mandatory and is year-round. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Mendocino County Office of Education provides instructional programs. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding. Combined Responses: Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Juvenile Hall Superintendent
No recommendations for this finding
F16
There are three full-time school teachers and one aide. Classes are held five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
Youth receive instruction at their assessed grade level. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The classrooms have books and computers. Internet access is tightly controlled. There is also an art room with an instructor two days a week. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The MCJH provides rehabilitation of youth through counseling, life skills classes, parenting classes, and Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Religious services are available for those who wish to attend. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F20
Youth shower and have clean underwear each day. Laundry is done by the staff. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F21
Good behavior is rewarded with activities that include gardening, yard work and “in-house” field trips (within the facility). During free time in the evening, books, magazines, CDs and television viewing are available in the day room. There are also telephone privileges. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F22
There is a “Step” program, whereby all youth can advance from an entrance step level of 0 and earn additional privileges by moving to the next “Step”. It takes two weeks of good behavior to advance from one step to the next. Each youth makes a written plan on how to achieve the next step, such as: …I will have a better attitude, don’t lose my temper, keep my room neat and clean. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding. Combined Responses: Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Juvenile Hall Superintendent
No recommendations for this finding
F23
The dining room and kitchen were observed to be clean, and had a pleasant atmosphere. The food was nicely presented and included fresh fruit and vegetables, along with the main course. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F24
Boys and girls from Units A and B eat together in the dining room but are seated in separate areas. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F25
The menu is prepared by a registered dietician and rotates every six weeks. Snacks are served twice a day. Second helpings at meal time are permitted. Special diets, such as diabetic, religious or vegetarian, conform to State nutritional standards. Milk is provided three times daily. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F26
The average stay is 25 days, although 15 days is more common. The maximum sentence at MCJH is one year; however youth may stay longer while awaiting court adjudication, or for health reasons. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent disagree wholly or partially with the finding, a minor’s health is not a justifiable reason to extend his or her stay at Juvenile Hall.
No recommendations for this finding
F27
Visitation by parents or family is limited to two hours per week. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F28
Parents are billed on a sliding scale up to $18 per day for the cost of maintaining a youth in MCJH. The maximum is $800 per stay. Collecting the money from the parents is a difficult task. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F29
Transportation from the MCJH to the court or to medical facilities is provided by the Correctional Counselors. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding. Combined Responses: Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Juvenile Hall Superintendent
No recommendations for this finding
F30
All juveniles are assigned legal counsel. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F31
A juvenile charged as an adult is eligible for bail. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F32
About 80% of the youth are repeat offenders. Youth with behavioral problems require the bulk of the Correctional Counselors’ time. Response: The Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer/Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Superintendent agree with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding

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