Valley State Prison

Recommendations 1

• R13-14

  Page 17
  officers on each of three shifts.This providesa ratio of 1officerto 31-33 inmates on eachshift. The number of inmates in each housing unit variesandofficers are assignedbased on availability.During the MCGJ visitandwitnessed, inone unit,only one officer was charged with handling an entire unit whereas, in other units more than one officer was availableto maintain safety for the officers and inmates. Environmental Conditions:Theexterior and the interior ofthe Administrative and Training portionof the facility is well-maintainedand manicured. Although the Grand Jury did not see the outdoor areas intended for inmates, it was described as havinga 12-foot perimeter fence topped with razor wire. The yard is enclosed with 2-story high block walls,so inmates are not visible to the public at any time. Information provided by the jail indicates thatinmate housing areas arefully equipped with lightsand a surveillancesystem. Lighting and temperature of the housing unit are withintheCaliforniaTitle 24 standardsand are maintained by on-sitemaintenancepersonnel. Title 24 standards includes ADA accessibility.The facility is not new, however,routinemaintenance has been deferredfor an extended period of time. The look of the inmate housing area of the building is aged and has significant wear.This is evidenced byworn flooring, and detached rubber floor coving. Orientation of Inmates:The intake area is typicallystaffed by threeofficersalthoughthe time may be divided as they attend to arriving inmates. A watch commander also assists asarriving inmates are searched for contraband with a pat search,bodyscan,and metal detectors. Incoming inmates are divided intothree types of holding cells: intake cells, safety cells, or sobering cells. The various cells require differinglevels ofmonitoring. Processing of inmates includeschecks for wants and warrants, pictured, fingerprinted,and booked. Inmates are then evaluated foreither release or housing.Those moving onto housingarefurther evaluated based ontheir classification,in order to minimize disruptive housing issues. The MCGJ was not provided with a daily schedule for inmates. Time appears to be at-will of inmates. Incominginmatesare oriented to the facility both verbally and in written form. Topics addressedduring the orientation include correspondence, visiting,telephone use,inmategrievanceprocedures, available programs, how to participate in activities,medical services, housing assignments, court appearance, voting registration,inmatediscipline,andrules for the moduleand facility. 7