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Extraído del Informe Consolidado

Esta investigación fue publicada originalmente como parte de un informe consolidado más amplio que contiene múltiples investigaciones. Consulte el PDF consolidado para ver el documento completo.

Santa Cruz County Grand Jury • 2007-2008

• Front St., Inc., 11 beds • River Street Shelter, 20 beds reserved for people referred by County Mental Health

Published: January 26, 2009 19 pages
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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F45, F46, F47, F48, F49, F50, F51, F52, F53, F54, F55, F56, F57, F58, F59

Findings 48 findings

F1 Page 61
Santa Cruz County governmental agencies (with the exception of Scotts Valley) have joint powers agreements with Net Com specifying how emergency calls are routed for fire, police and medical assistance. Net Com then routes calls to the appropriate authorities for response.
F2 Page 61
Net Com assigns emergency calls a priority rating from one to nine, one requiring the most urgent response. The calls rating and the case details are reflected on the mobile data terminal in all squad cars.
F3 Page 61
The County’s only booking facility is at the Main Jail in Santa Cruz so all law enforcement officers must transport arrestees there. Approximately 13,000 persons are booked at the Main Jail each year. This often results in overcrowding in the Main Jail 51 2007–2008 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report booking area and delays for the law enforcement officers. The officers must wait and cannot return to other duties until the arrestee has been processed through the system. Response from the County: AGREES.
F4
Intake process: • All squad cars and persons are monitored via video surveillance as they enter the vehicle sally port (an enclosed area secured by locked doors at each end, only one of which can be opened at any one time). • Officers then lead suspects through a pedestrian sally port and into the booking area. • Officers of the same gender pat down the suspects and complete the suspects’ health intake questionnaires. • For medical reasons, the facility nurse may refuse suspects admittance to the jail. If refused admittance, they are taken directly to Dominican Hospital. Upon receiving medical clearance from the hospital, suspects are taken back to the Main Jail to complete the booking process. • An audio and video recording is made of the booking and kept in storage for a period of two years.
F5 Page 62
After walking through a metal detector, suspects are put into a group holding cell. Special needs arrestees and women are kept in separate cells. Intoxicated arrestees are put into the jail’s “drunk tank” for a minimum of five hours. If intoxication prevents them from standing or communicating coherently, they are taken to a local medical emergency room for detox. A violent arrestee is placed in a restraint chair in a private safety cell with two large viewing panels and checked every 15 minutes.
F6 Page 62
At the start of the booking process all personal property, except one shirt, a pair of pants, underwear, and socks, is taken from the detainee, labeled and stored either in the jail’s property room or a valuables locker. These items are returned when the inmate is released.
F7 Page 55
The Grand Jury commends Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center for providing the services of medical specialists to those in need. Medical Staff Recruitment and Salaries 2000-2001 Grand Jury Recommendation 11: In the recruitment of health care professionals, salary surveys conducted in nearby agricultural counties are no longer pertinent to this County. In the next round of County salary negotiations, surveys should be conducted that use counties more comparable to the emerging characteristics of Santa Cruz County. County Response: The County has utilized the nine-County comparison for over thirty years, and this long-term base of information is useful in evaluating salaries. The nine- County comparison is used as a guide along with other information such as the Consumer Price Index, turnover statistics, recruitment and retention rates, the relationship between positions within the County, changes in classifications, and operational changes. Other jurisdictions are also surveyed, as appropriate. 2007-2008 Grand Jury Findings
F8 Page 56
The Grand Jury commends the Health Services Agency for the innovative way it has succeeded in providing quality health care to county low-income residents despite financial limitations.
F9 Page 62
Newly housed inmates can shower and must change into jail-issue clothes. Personal clothing is labeled and stored with the rest of the inmate’s property. Money in the possession of the suspect at the time of arrest is posted as a credit to a personal jail account. Main Jail 2007–2008 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
F10 Page 63
Each inmate is issued a kit, which includes clothing, bedding, utensils, and hygiene items.
F11 Page 63
Prior to admittance, a nurse performs a medical review of each inmate, including taking vital signs. A doctor is on call if needed.
F12 Page 63
In March 2008 the Sheriff’s office implemented a new fingerprint picture system called the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). This system includes photographs, palm print and fingerprints of a suspect. The AFIS system provides positive identification of a suspect throughout the intake process and interfaces with the state mug shot system. In the near future a pilot project will be implemented making AFIS available to law enforcement officers on squad car monitors.
F13 Page 63
Those arrested for drug or weapons offenses, or suspected of hiding drugs or weapons, may require body inspection. This procedure – a visual, non-contact search must be approved by a supervisor and performed by a correctional officer of the same gender. For this type of inspection, the Sheriff’s Office recently constructed a separate room to ensure privacy. Those refusing to cooperate are x-rayed. If x-rays reveal contraband, approval is then secured through a court order and the person is taken to Dominican Hospital for removal of the contraband.
F14 Page 63
After voters approved Proposition 69 in November 2004, the Sheriff’s Office implemented a new procedure requiring all convicted felons to submit a DNA sample. A cheek swab sample from offenders is sent to the Department of Justice for processing and inclusion in the State database. Staffing
F15 Page 50
The County’s mental health program is active and in good hands and is continually adapting to the changing needs of the community.
F16 Page 50
The Division works well, has effective coordination with many nonprofit organizations in the county, and maintains a constant effort for structural improvement.
F17 Page 50
Financing mental health programs is a continual struggle. Clients sometimes have problems finding appropriate services because they do not meet the funding requirements. Mental health staff strive to find creative ways to match client needs in spite of restrictions placed on various funding sources.
F18 Page 50
The Division recognizes cultural issues in treating county mental health patients. This perspective is important to ensure the effective delivery of services because cultural issues may make that more difficult, such as when families feel embarrassed by a member with a mental illness and may not acknowledge it as a legitimate health problem.
F19 Page 50
Effective programs have been developed that recognize the importance of family relationships. Both children and adults are treated. Establishing more peer counseling is a priority.
F20 Page 50
A comprehensive approach is the most pressing need in the system. Along with counseling and medication, affordable housing, tenured living spaces, and job development are all necessary for proper treatment.
F21 Page 54
While all “safety net clinics” are not geared toward families, they are putting forth their best efforts to meet the various needs of the uninsured and Medi-Cal patients in Santa Cruz County.
F22 Page 54
Santa Cruz County needs to recruit more specialists and internists because of the increase in the number of elderly patients with complex health problems. A Promise Kept 2007–2008 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report Commendation
F23 Page 55
The Health Services Agency is able to recruit adequate medical staff and negotiate appropriate wage and benefit packages under very difficult circumstances. A Promise Kept 45 2007–2008 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
F24 Page 56
The County has found innovative ways to meet the medical needs of low-income residents through grants and creative staffing. Anticipated budget cuts threaten this tenuous balance, but the Grand Jury believes that the County is going to be able to continue to provide a basic level of staffing to meet the minimal needs of low-income residents. Commendation
F25 Page 65
According to Titles 15 and 24, inmates must have individual cells, a group day room, and a group patio area. Title 24 requires 35 square feet of floor space per inmate in the dayrooms and tables and seating to accommodate the maximum number of inmates allowed at any given time. Due to the overcrowding at the facility, these requirements cannot always be met.
F26 Page 65
Showers and bathrooms are located in each of the units. The 2005 State report indicated many of the bathroom and shower areas were “filthy, as are the majority of the cells, which are cluttered with paper and leftover food from meals.” In 2006, the Sheriff’s Office spent $99,000 on remodeling and mildew removal in one of the shower facilities at the Main Jail. The 2007 State Inspection report indicated shower areas and individual cells were in compliance with Title 24 standards. However, County Environmental Health Services completed an annual evaluation in 2007, and the jail was granted an environmental health clearance with the exception of the shower areas, which the report indicated are still in need of repair. In November 2007, two female jurors on an unscheduled visit to one of the women’s housing units inspected H unit shower area, the community bathroom and an inmate cell. These areas were found to be clean and in good condition. In December 2007, two male jurors on an unscheduled visit inspected the men’s housing units E, F and Q and found the shower, toilet areas and the individual cells clean but not tidy. In March 2007, two female jurors on an unscheduled visit inspected the G unit shower area. They found it to be badly in need of repair with toilet paper stuffed around the shower head, and the entire shower and the walls in the adjacent dressing room area covered with water. Mold and the smell of mildew were also present. Inmates have complained that some of the shower areas have small flies that swarm inside the shower and bugs that come up from the drain.
F27 Page 65
Each inmate is responsible for the cleanliness of his/her housing area including the showers. Floors must be swept and mopped daily. All inmate privileges are withheld until the housing area is clean. This is a non-directed activity. Correctional officers provide each unit with a mop, bucket with water and cleanser on a daily basis (or more often if requested) to clean the floors and shower areas. Periodically a stronger disinfectant is provided to alleviate bacterial growth in the shower areas. Response from the County: AGREES.
F28 Page 65
The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) is aging and outdated and does not provide consistent heating and cooling throughout the facility. Some areas of the jail are very cold while others are too warm. Maintaining the HVAC system is the responsibility of the General Services Department (GSD). Its response Main Jail 55 2007–2008 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report to the Sheriff Office concerns has been slow, repairs take too long, and, to date, the problems have not been corrected. Response from the County: AGREES. The Main Jail at 259 Water does not have cooling in the inmate housing area. The heating system was designed with an occupancy load for a much lower population. To meet the current air changes for the increased population, more outside air needs to be introduced to the facility that will in turn create a higher heating load for the building. The existing equipment was not designed to maintain the increased load which results in heating inconsistencies in the building. As for the response time, the work order data base shows that General Services responded either the same day or the next working day to reported problems.
F29 Page 66
Many inmates have filed Inmate Request Forms (green slips) about being too cold or too hot. No sweaters are allowed in the jail. Two thin cotton blankets are allowed in the summer and three in the winter. Additional blankets must be requested via a green slip. Correctional officers determine if an additional blanket will be issued. It is rare for an inmate to receive more than the allotted number of blankets. According to inmates, correctional officers confiscate any additional blankets they find.
F30 Page 66
As a result of the fire marshal 2007 inspection, the facility was granted a fire and life safety clearance.
F31 Page 66
While there are no outside windows in the inmate housing units, the front of each has windows facing a central area where the correctional officers are located. The central command area has dimmed red lighting so the officers can see into each of the well- lighted housing units. Food trays and medicine are dispensed from this central area through openings in the main door of each unit. This type of detention facility in which no correctional officers are located within the inmate housing areas is called a “podular design” system. Such a configuration contrasts with a direct supervision detention facility in which the correctional officers are located directly in the inmate housing areas.
F32 Page 66
In 2005, a computerized program was established to monitor inmate classification, housing movements and disciplinary actions. The Sheriff’s Office Detention Bureau hopes to replace that system with a comprehensive jail management system in the next two years that will integrate the current classification system with medical, commissary, food, and inmate records management (currently located across the street in the county building). To date no funding has been secured for this project.
F33 Page 66
Department 11 of the Santa Cruz Superior Court handles the drug cases and is now located at the Main Jail. Fifty to 100 inmates are taken from their cells to court each week in shackles and chains. Having drug court located at the Main Jail has eliminated the need for transport to the county court house on Ocean Street and has facilitated a more efficient handling of drug cases.
F34 Page 66
Policies and procedures are in place to ensure the facility’s security, but it is an ongoing concern for the staff. Last year, two inmates attempted unsuccessfully to escape. Main Jail 2007–2008 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report Inmate Services
F35 Page 67
Inmates may see visitors in one of the five visiting rooms during visiting hours. All visits are audio recorded. Inmates and visitors are separated by a wire and plexiglass barrier. Inmates must complete a visitor request form before any visits will be allowed. Staff must pre-approve all visitors before they are scheduled. The inmate’s visitor lists can be updated only once every 30 days from the date the original list was completed.
F36 Page 67
Professional interview rooms are available 24 hours a day for the inmates and their attorneys or the clergy. To preserve client confidentiality, no recordings are made in these rooms.
F37 Page 67
Each of the housing units has a secure outdoor area for basketball, handball and exercise. Board games, cards and puzzles are also available. Newly released movies are rented from Swank distribution for monthly movie viewing.
F38 Page 67
Other services available include television (both Spanish and English from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and a limited selection of paperback books. Inmates may purchase any book or periodical accepted for distribution by the U.S. Post Office. A law library is available to provide legal research assistance for inmates and UCSC Women’s Center Inside-Out offers writing workshops.
F39 Page 67
Inmates are served three meals per day (at 6:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.). A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for consumption and/or disposal of a meal. The county nutritionist plans the meals according to the standards set forth in the California Code of Regulations. The inmates receive a total of 2,600 calories a day according to Title 15 standards. The kitchen area was originally built to serve 90 inmates. The kitchen passed the 2007 State Standards review even though it is outdated and extremely small for the current jail population.
F40 Page 67
Once a week, inmates have access to a commissary. They may purchase from a pre- approved list of items, such as snacks, canvas shoes, nail clippers, cosmetic items. Inmates must use money placed in their individual accounts to purchase commissary items. Upon their request, inmates with less than $3 in their accounts may be given the following items once each week: six sheets of paper, two stamped envelopes, two shampoo packets, a pencil, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a comb.
F41 Page 67
Friends Outside, a program provided by Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, helps maintain outside contacts, and assists inmates in conducting basic and necessary transactions, such as banking and paying bills. They also provide reading glasses.
F42 Page 67
The jail chaplain provides religious services while several local churches of numerous denominations provide Bible studies, communion services and prayer groups.
F43 Page 67
Drug counseling is provided by Alto and Janus of Santa Cruz. Programs are also offered by Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Dual Diagnosis Group, and Criminal Gangs Anonymous.
F44 Page 67
Inmates qualified to vote may request voting material from the Elections Department. Corrections personnel deliver material to the election department for the inmates. Main Jail 57
F60 Page 55
Currently Santa Cruz County uses eight nearby counties in salary surveys: Monterey, Santa Clara, Alameda, Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Solano and San Mateo. For the most part, these are more similar to Santa Cruz than the nine counties formerly used in that they are not strictly agricultural and have living costs comparable to Santa Cruz.
F61 Page 55
Recruiting and retaining physicians and other medical professionals is uniquely difficult in Santa Cruz County because it is labeled by Medicare as a rural county. The Medicare reimbursement rate is the same as Butte, Imperial and other counties with a much lower cost of living.
F62 Page 55
The county health programs must compete with Dominican and Sutter for physicians and other medical professionals. Hospitals are in a unique position to pay higher salaries as their Medicare reimbursements are based on actual costs. A national Medicare study released in 2007 shows hospitals in Santa Cruz County have the highest labor costs in the country, which local health officials say means higher medical costs and insurance premiums for patients. This situation creates a difficult challenge when it comes to recruiting medical professionals.
F63 Page 55
Salaries and working conditions for physicians and other medical professionals employed by the County are negotiated with the respective unions. Conclusions

Recommendations 25