Santa Cruz County Jails Review

Recommendations 37

• R1
  The Sheriff’s Department should continue with its improvement projects currently in progress for the renovation of the plumbing, the kitchen, and the “strip search” rooms.
• R2
  The Board of Supervisors should review nurses’ salaries and consider pay increases to attract and retain competent staff.
• R3
  The projected loss of revenue due to the decrease in booking fees collected and the impact that it will have on the jail and jail staff should be addressed by the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff.
• R4
  Potential liability could be reduced by upgrading surveillance cameras for the areas around the jail and garage/booking area. These upgrades should be budgeted by the Board of Supervisors and implemented by the Sheriff. - 6 Jails Review
• R5
  TB testing for newly booked inmates should be mandatory. Funding should be provided by the Board of Supervisors and testing implemented by the Health Services Agency.
• R6
  Jail administrators and staff should be commended for their professionalism in managing day-to-day duties and keeping up with modern advances in running an efficient, secure facility.
• R7
  The Board of Supervisors and the Health Services Agency should seek reduction of medical transportation and security costs by contracting with appropriate local medical personnel. Contracting with a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner for one day a week (or even an on-call status) would reduce the costs of transportation for non-urgent medical care.
• R8
  The Sheriff should weigh the cost-effectiveness of the SAFE program (lacking outcome statistics) against other needs at the facility.
• R9
  As recommended in the 2004-2005 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report, to alleviate overcrowding at the main jail, the Health Services Agency should consider employing an on-site registered nurse to facilitate the transfer of lower risk main jail inmates who require medication or monitoring of chronic conditions to the Rountree Medium Facility. Appropriate funding should be included in the budget by the Board of Supervisors.
• R10
  Given the close proximity of inmates and the ease of air-borne transmission, tuberculosis testing by the Health Services Agency should be mandatory and incorporated into the booking process by the Sheriff.
• R11
  The Sheriff should increase bilingual staff at the next hiring opportunity.
• R12
  The Sheriff should remain open to the addition of vocational classes that build self-esteem and facilitate preparation for employment and re-entry into society.
• R13
  Staff should be commended by the Board of Supervisors for their knowledge, professionalism, display of genuine concern for inmates, and the conscientious manner in which they fulfill their duties. - 10 Jails Review
• R14
  The Sheriff should continue all vocational programs and work-release opportunities and should remain open to the addition of vocational programs that prepare for employment.
• R15
  The Board of Supervisors needs to be aware of and reduce potential liability for the county by installing a fence to secure the grounds.
• R16
  Bringing the plumbing and septic system up to modern standards would reduce water usage and laundry services and should be implemented by the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff.
• R17
  Upgrading camera and monitoring equipment would contribute to officer and inmate safety and security of the facility. Sufficient funding should be provided by the Board of Supervisors and implemented by the Sheriff.
• R18
  Staff should be commended for their success in screening and inmate placement.
• R19
  Staff should be commended for offering a variety of programs leading to potential future employment, self-esteem, and community benefit. Jails Review - 13
• R20
  Staff is to be commended by the Board of Supervisors for their organization of programs, work-release scheduling, and dedication to the goals of operating a safe, structured, but humane facility.
• R21
  The Board of Supervisors should commend the staff for their professionalism.
• R22
  Additional fencing that would not distract from the neighborhood setting should be considered by the Sheriff, with sufficient funding provided by the Board of Supervisors, to reduce the introduction of drugs and other prohibited items into the facility.
• R23
  The Sheriff should solicit additional job training classes from educational, professional, and community organizations to help inmates be successful upon their return to the community.
• R24
  The Board of Supervisors should commend the staff for their professionalism.
• R25
  Sufficient funding should be provided by the Board of Supervisors for the Sheriff to enhance the video surveillance capabilities to provide better security for the public and staff in and around the facility.
• R26
  Sufficient money should be budgeted by the Board of Supervisors to upgrade the security system with emphasis on video monitoring, electronic security doors, and the necessary infrastructure upgrades. This recommendation was made by the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The county agreed with the recommendation, but it has not yet been implemented.
• R27
  Sufficient money should be budgeted by the Board of Supervisors to upgrade the heating and ventilation system at Juvenile Hall. This recommendation was also made by the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury in 2003 and 2005. The county agreed with the recommendation, but it also has not yet been implemented.
• R28
  Sufficient money should be budgeted by the Board of Supervisors for the construction of a covering over the courtyard area which would provide an exercise area during poor weather conditions.
• R29
  The Probation Department should ensure that medical/mental health inspections (as with all other mandated inspections) are conducted in a timely fashion.
• R30
  The Board of Supervisors should commend the Probation Department and Juvenile Hall staff for their professionalism and their dedication to the community. - 20 Jails Review Response required Entity Findings Recommendations Respond Within Santa Cruz County 90, 26, 27, 28, 30 60 Days Board of 99-101 (September 1, Supervisors 2006) Santa Cruz County 90 29 90 Days Probation Dept. (October 1, 2006) Camp 45 Camp 45 is located at 13575 Empire Grade Road in Santa Cruz and is operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. It opened in June 2005 as a prison camp to house low-risk adult male prisoners. The facility was previously operated by the California Youth Authority from 1947 to 2005. Camp 45 is a satellite facility of the California State Prison, Susanville, and is a minimum security facility that is operated as a fire conservation camp in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF). Camp 45 is operated by the State of California and is, therefore, not obligated to respond to the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury, but it is invited to do so. Camp 45 Findings
• R31
  Department of Corrections staff should continue to meet with neighborhood and community organizations and be an active partner in the community.
• R32
  Department of Corrections staff should reach out to community organizations to obtain donations of appropriate books and learning materials for the educational enrichment of the inmates. - 22 Jails Review
• R33
  Department of Corrections should continue to seek solutions to affordable housing problems to retain qualified professional staff. Responses requested but not required Entity Findings Recommendations Respond Within California Dept. of 122, 126, 31-33 90 Days Corrections and 129 (October 1, 2006) Rehabilitation Jails Review - 23
• R46
  The facility is operated by a conscientious and professional staff.
• R47
  Due to the high cost of living in Santa Cruz County, retaining trained staff has been a problem.
• R48
  Additional books for the inmates to read would be a benefit.
• R49
  The camp provides a service to the community. Camp 45 Recommendations