San Diego County Grand Jury
• 2006-2007
Conditions and Management of Detention Facilities in San Diego County
⚠️ 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 1 findings
F2006
Page 1
Other facility inspections were completed in November, 2005. Finding: All areas were in compliance. Cleaning fluids and chemicals were safely stored. Weapons lockers were located outside the perimeter of the modules (cells) and were well secured. The kitchen area was clean and responsibly run. Finding: Understaffing continues to be a concern. Recruitment is difficult which seems to be a universal problem within the Sheriff’s Department. Fact: The exterior and interior conditions of the facility were in very good condition. The jail facility was clean and well maintained. Fact: Orientation of Inmates: Appeared to be effective with regard to facility rules and procedures. Grievance procedures for inmates are in effect and well documented. Fact: Quality of Life: Educational courses provided by Grossmont Adult Education for high school is available for those inmates who request it. Although the length of stay for most inmates is minimal, their educational records travel with them when transferring to a different facility. Additional training for anger management and woodworking is also provided. Recreation areas were Spartan, although well maintained. Contact sports are not permitted. Limited physical fitness equipment is available. Fact: The facility is lacking in effective video surveillance/recording units. The reduced staff cannot adequately investigate physical altercations that may occur in areas not covered by cameras. Finding: Additional cameras would provide information to the staff so intelligent correctional measures could be made.
Recommendations 14
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07-80Page 1Continue the ongoing recruitment efforts and establish a task force or
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07-81Page 1Continue the ongoing recruitment efforts and establish a task force or
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07-82Page 1Determine, purchase and install additional camera surveillance equipment.
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07-83Page 1Establish a room where indoor visiting can take place.
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07-84Page 1Approach school districts, libraries and publishers to obtain books at low
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07-85Page 1Improve communication between the Fire Department and Descanso staff
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07-86Page 1Continue to add more classes with the goal of preparing inmates to
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07-88Page 1Allocate funding to recondition the athletic field.
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07-89Page 1Replace the approximately 25-year-old bus currently in use at Camp
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07-90Page 1Establish a plan and priority for building a new main juvenile detention
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07-91Page 1Establish a priority and seek funding to build a new main juvenile
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07-92Page 1Continue the operation on its present course and share with other jurisdictions
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07-93Page 1Employ an additional full-time dietician to supplement the staff.
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07-94Page 1Upgrade the ventilation in the laundry operation to improve working
Commendations 1
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CM1The Chief, Assistant Chief and Staff of the East Mesa Food Production Center are to be commended for the design and implementation of an exceptionally efficient food preparation and packaging facility. This center should be emulated by prisons and detention facilities throughout the United States and internationally. LAUNDRY The East Mesa Laundry Facility, adjacent to the food service operation, processes approximately 350,000 pounds of laundry monthly, servicing every detention facility in San Diego County except Las Colinas. This is accomplished through the efforts of 21 SAN DIEGO COUNTY GRAND JURY 2006—2007 (filed May 29, 2007) twelve county employees and twenty five inmates working two shifts per day, five days per week. The laundry operation uses a number of 480 pound capacity washers and dryers to assist in the completion of this enormous daily task. There is a machine that irons and folds flat sheets as well. This facility is well organized and efficiently run despite the fact that the environment can sometimes be hostile, especially in the summer months when the high temperatures combine with the heat of the machinery increase the difficulty of the working conditions. FACTS AND FINDINGS Fact: The East Mesa Laundry facility is run by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and services all county detention facilities except Las Colinas. Finding: This laundry operation is well run and efficient despite the obstacles that can be present due to cramped working conditions and heat.