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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Trinity County Grand Jury
• 2001-2002
Trinity County Detention Facility and Juvenile Detention Facility
⚠️ 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 2 findings
F1
Page 23
Trinity County Jail The Trinity County Jail is in compliance with the requirements of the California State Department of Corrections. Although there were several issues of concern raised with jail officials during the two inspections conducted by the Committee, all of these problems were either corrected or are currently being addressed by the Sheriffs Department. Several members of the Jury commented on the need for improved maintenance in the waiting rooms for both the en- trances to the Jail and the entrance to the Sheriffs Offices. The Sheriff advised the committee members that the maintenance of these ar- eas is the responsibility of the General Services Department. There is an obvious “overcrowding” situation existing at the dis- patch center where booking, oversight of jail operations, and 911 / dispatch communications occur. This problem was also addressed in a previous report issued by the 1998-1999 Grand Jury. The Judi- cial committee was advised by the Sheriff that he was well aware of this problem and that a rear oversight station currently being used for storage was again being considered for the Dispatch/911 center. The utilization of the rear oversight station as a Dispatch/911 cen- ter would also enable jail staff to visually observe the outdoor rec- reation area when prisoners are exercising, another issue of con- cern raised by several Judicial Committee Members. The Sheriff advised the Committee that he felt the outlook was positive that an expansion alleviating the cramped conditions in the dispatch area could occur this year and that the Department was proactively pur- suing this initiative internally. Although the Trinity County Jail is currently staffed with the mini- mum levels as required by the Califomia Board of Corrections and by law, often Deputies on patrol are pulled in to assist in the man- agement of the Jail. These situations occur when jail staff call in sick, are out on job related injury or maternity leave, attending mandatory training, or during other emergencies. When these events occur, Sheriff Schmidt stated that law enforcement coverage in Trin- ity County is negatively affected due to the already minimal staff- ing level of sworn personnel in the Sheriffs Department.
F2
Page 23
Trinity County Juvenile Detention Facility The Juvenile Detention Facility is in compliance with the Califor- nia State Board of Corrections standards for Youth Detention Fa- cilities. An additional on-site biannual inspection of the facility by the Board is planned prior to the end of 2001. The Trinity County Juvenile Justice Commission has inspected the facility and identi- fied minor discrepancies that are being addressed by the Trinity County Probation Department. Overall, the Commission concluded that the facility is well run and that a follow-up inspection will be conducted prior to the end of calendar 2001. The JDF is a showcase operation that most impressed the members of the Grand Jury. It was clearly evident that much effort, commit- ment and professional expertise were brought to bear in the con- struction and development of the center. All personnel involved in the development and operation of the center are to be commended for their efforts.
Recommendations 4
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R1Page 23a: The Trinity County Grand Jury strongly supports the Sheriff Department’s efforts to alleviate the overcrowding situation in the 911/Dispatch Center by utilizing the rear oversight station located in the jail. The Grand Jury recommends that the county make every effort to identify funding to implement this much needed reloca- tion as soon as possible.
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R1aPage 24The Trinity County Board of Supervisors agrees.
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R1bPage 24The Trinity County Board of Supervisors agrees that it is the Trinity County General Services Department’s responsibility to inspect and determine the “appropriate mainte- nance” needed and to ensure the waiting rooms are clean, safe and presentable, regardless of who performs the work.
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R2Page 23None CONCLUSION: Judicial committee members were impressed with the profession- alism and dedication of the staff at both facilities. Sgt. Robert Angulo and his staff at the Trinity County Jail are doing an excellent job under difficult conditions. Under-Sheriff Charles Downen and Sher- iff Paul Schmidt were most helpful and responsive in the review of issues at the jail. The Trinity County Jail is being staffed with the minimum levels as required by the Board of Corrections and by law. However, there are times when Deputies on patrol are pulled in to assist in the management of the Jail during shortages due to illness, injuries or emergencies. The Sheriff has stated both publicly and to members of the Grand Jury that occasionally there is inadequate law enforce- ment coverage in Trinity County. He has stated that that the root cause is low salaries that create a high turnover among his officers. The Grand Jury concludes that the Board of Supervisors needs to work closely with the Sheriffs Department to provide the necessary funding to insure the continued safety of the citizens of this county. Chief Probation Officer Terry Lee and his staff have done a truly remarkable job of obtaining the necessary funding for and contin- ued oversight of the new Trinity County Juvenile Detention Facil- ity and adjacent Probation Department offices. Professionalism is evident in all aspects of the physical plant and the operation of the program.