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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.

Lake County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

Lake County Juvenile Hall Oversight

10 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 26 findings

F1 Page 250
The committee’s initial impression of the facility is that it is physically maintained daily as a neat, clean and orderly environment.
No recommendations for this finding
F2 Page 250
Interviews did disclose some serious underlying structural issues not readily apparent to the visiting committee’s “eyes”. For example, the building roof leaks and the committee was advised there is a recurring odor of mold during the rainy season which can be a health threat to staff and detainees.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 253
The Lake County Building and Grounds follow through on the bidding for the repair or replacement of the roof on this facility. In addition Building and Grounds heed the notice from Juvenile Hall authorities and investigate the source of odor which may indicate the unhealthy presence of mold. (F2)
F3 Page 250
Water Pressure and temperature provided to the sink/drinking fountain combination in the cells was inadequate for hand washing, teeth brushing and/or drinking. These conditions prevent personal hygiene from being carried out properly.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 253
The Lake County Building and Grounds find and fix the plumbing problem to ensure hot water for washing and cold water for drinking and adequate pressure for both is provided to all detainee cells.(F3)
F4 Page 250
While most is painted over, Graffiti (often gang related) is an ongoing occurrence.
No recommendations for this finding
F5 Page 250
There is a proposal to remove a wall/window which separate the dayroom from the eating area. While an expensive endeavor, the net effect of this project is twofold. The wall/window now requires one staff member in the eating area and one in the dayroom. Removing the wall/window allows for better use of staffing resources and in addition will open up the dayroom 2009-2010 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Public Safety Committee space for programming and large muscle activity during inclement weather.
No recommendations for this finding
F6 Page 251
Detainees complained the cells and other rooms are either stale and stifling hot in the summer or freezing cold during the winter months; and we were told they sleep in their clothes for warmth at night.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 253
The Lake County Building and Grounds replace the malfunctioning heating and air conditioning unit or increase the capacity of the existing unit to ensure adequate heating and cooling and healthy ventilation of the facility.(F6)
F7 Page 251
The committee was advised that there is one warped exterior door frame and door which may not lock and is very heavy and difficult to open. It could require significant force in case of an emergency. Not to replace it could therefore pose possible safety and security risks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 253
The Juvenile Hall administration follow through with the replacement of the exterior warped door and door frame. (F7, F8)
F8 Page 251
The committee was put at ease when informed the 2009/2010 fiscal year budget contained request of $10,000 for replacement of the door and frame work and this work has been contracted. No work was in progress at the time of the committee visit.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 253
The Juvenile Hall administration follow through with the replacement of the exterior warped door and door frame. (F7, F8)
F9 Page 251
The intercom system fails intermittently; the committee could find no budget line item request for intercom replacement.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Page 253
The Juvenile Hall administration follow through with appropriate agency to repair or replace the failing intercom system.(F9)
F10 Page 251
Because the Sheriff’s Department changed it’s bandwidth of their dispatch frequency and radios, the 2009/2010 fiscal year budget reflects a budget request to replace twelve (12) outdated radios to be compatible with the Sheriff’s new bandwidth communications system.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Page 253
The Juvenile Hall administration closely monitor delivery of the twelve (12) new wide bandwidth radios. (F10)
F11 Page 251
During interviews and our inspection the committee learned that a new camera surveillance coverage system has been ordered. It was to be installed immediately upon arrival. It had not yet arrived at the time of the committee visit.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Page 253
The Juvenile Hall administration closely monitor delivery of new camera surveillance coverage system that has reportedly been ordered. (F11) 2009-2010 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Public Safety Committee
F12 Page 251
The committee observed the officers’ weapons storage lockbox is provided as an interior lockbox just inside the admitting door. A safer location for the weapons lockbox would be an outside-the-facility-doors location - where it would not be accessible to the detainee during the admittance process.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Page 254
The Juvenile Hall administration relocate the officers’ weapons storage lockbox to a location outside of the admitting doors to achieve safe keeping from the entering detainee.(F12)
F13 Page 251
Staff informed and the committee observed new heavy duty cloth covered mattresses in the storage cupboards. These are to replace the vinyl covered mattresses which tear at the seams easily. It was explained the new mattresses are being obtained in incremental deliveries and will be distributed when all have arrived.
No recommendations for this finding
F14 Page 251
Although the medical program manager did not feel this small space creates a serious handicap, the committee found the nurse’s examination room a decidedly cramped area.
No recommendations for this finding
F15 Page 251
The kitchen has been inoperable for the past seven years - at least; the kitchen needs a new stove vent hood, plumbing repairs and other general updating of appliances to be functional. Much is in need of repair or replacement, however, the 2009/2010 fiscal year budget reflects a budget request to replace the vent hood only. 2009-2010 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Public Safety Committee
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Page 254
The Board of Supervisors make the reopening of the Juvenile Hall kitchen a budgeting priority in the 2010/2011 fiscal year. (F15, F16, F17)
F16 Page 252
Staff and detainees complained the food portions are small, particularly for the teenage boys. Detainees complained food most often has little if any flavor or taste - as was true of the noon meal sampled by the committee on the day of our visit. It was expressed that reopening the facility kitchen could resolve the above while at the same time, it could provide the vehicle for culinary education for interested detainees - allowing them to learn about nutrition, proper food handling and efficient, healthy, tasty food preparation – currently a missed opportunity for vocational teaching.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Page 254
The Board of Supervisors make the reopening of the Juvenile Hall kitchen a budgeting priority in the 2010/2011 fiscal year. (F15, F16, F17)
F17 Page 252
Staff recognized the importance of temperature controls, however, it was expressed that delivered temperature, like convenience and cost effectiveness, prohibits quality nutritious meal service to the detainees.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Page 254
The Board of Supervisors make the reopening of the Juvenile Hall kitchen a budgeting priority in the 2010/2011 fiscal year. (F15, F16, F17)
F18 Page 252
There is no covered outside recreation area, restricting outdoor activity in cold, rainy and/or very hot weather conditions. A viable solution would be the proposal to remove the wall separating the dayroom and the eating area to facilitate indoor physical activity during these weather extremes.
No recommendations for this finding
F19 Page 252
The committee was advised there is no firm commitment to allow detainees to replant the vegetable garden this coming Spring. This was felt to be an excellent outdoor activity for those detainees interested; as well as therapeutic - in that growing and preparing their own vegetables for consumption (even if only able to use the operative kitchen micro-wave at this juncture) elevated a sense of achievement and thereby “self esteem”.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Page 254
The Juvenile Hall administration commit to allowing interested detainees to replant the vegetable garden this coming Spring. (F19)
F20 Page 252
The committee observed a detainee currently awarded the laundry task as an incentive based upon good behavior enjoyed considerable “freedom” within the facility.
No recommendations for this finding
F21 Page 252
Sunday non-denominational religious services have been discontinued and a Bible study is no longer offered. The committee was told the detainees can substitute such regular services and/or instruction only with religious counseling or clergy visits and only “upon a personal detainee written request”. This current policy seems to imply that the detainees are aware of the value and/or have already been exposed to the moral standards and grounding that religious services and instruction can instill.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
Page 254
The Juvenile Hall administration re-institute a non-denominational religious service and/or a Bible study. (F21)
F22 Page 252
The committee was provided a copy of a letter confirming that the non- compliance issues with Title 15 regulations reported on the August, 2008, CSA inspection report have been corrected.
No recommendations for this finding
F23 Page 252
The committee was informed Fire Safety Inspections occur bi-annually; the next inspection is due to occur in June 2010. Questioning and research revealed that fire drills are conducted quarterly. However, a safety concern arises in that there is no contingency plan for emergency housing in the event of a permanent evacuation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12
Page 254
The Juvenile Hall administration and/or Sheriff’s Department create a contingency plan for emergency housing in the event of a permanent evacuation. (F23)
F24 Page 252
A 2010 Inspection Summary provided to the committee reflects that the 2009-2010 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Public Safety Committee Juvenile Justice Commission’s last inspection was performed in May 2009 but Juvenile Hall administration is not in receipt of the required report from that inspection. The next Juvenile Justice Commission inspection is to be conducted in May 2010.
Related Recommendations (1)
R13
Page 254
The Board of Supervisors request that the Juvenile Justice Commission produce their May, 2009, Juvenile Hall report and deliver it immediately to the appropriate agencies. (F24)
F25 Page 253
The 2010 Inspection Summary provided to the committee reflects that the Juvenile Court Judge’s last required inspection was performed in August, 2008. However, Juvenile Hall administration is not in receipt of the requisite report from that inspection.
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
Page 254
The Board of Supervisors request that the Juvenile Court Judge produce the requisite August, 2008, Juvenile Hall inspection report and deliver it to the appropriate agencies. (F25)
F26 Page 253
The summary reflects the Juvenile Judge’s required inspection was to have been performed in August 2009. The committee was advised that the Juvenile Judge has been notified via email regarding this delinquent inspection. The Juvenile Judge failed to make that annual inspection and subsequent report and there is no evidence of a response to that email from the Judge to Juvenile Hall administration.
Related Recommendations (1)
R15
Page 254
The Board of Supervisors request that the Juvenile Court Judge make the neglected August, 2009, annual Juvenile Hall inspection and produce and deliver the subsequent report to the appropriate agencies. (F26) Agency/Department(s) Required to Respond:  Chief Probation Officer via Board of Supervisors (90 days) (R1, R2, R3, R9, R13, R14, R15)  Juvenile Hall Administration via Board of Supervisors (90 days) (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 R8, R9, R10, R11, R12)  Sheriff via Board of Supervisors (90 days) (R12) 2009-2010 Lake County Civil Grand Jury