of Investigation: Centinela State Prison

Recommendations 5

• R1
  The prison should continue to work on the cell phone blockers and make a priority to resolve outstanding issues.
• R2
  The prison should consider having a second officer in the ASU control booth during the busier times to enhance the operation of that building. Response Required: No response is required as Calipatria State Prison is a state agency. 2013-2014 Imperial County Civil Grand Jury Final Report of Findings Subject of Investigation: Centinela State Prison Justification: California State Law mandates that the Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) will inspect all prison and jail facilities on a yearly basis. Background: Centinela State Prison (CEN) is operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The prison was opened in October 1993, and the prison began receiving inmates shortly there-after. The original design of the prison was made to house 2,308 inmates, although over the years the prison maximum population has reached nearly 5,100. However, the prison population had been reduced to lower numbers by court decisions and the number of inmates at the time of the CGJ tour was approximately 3,040. Overview: A committee of the CGJ inspected the prison. Jury members were escorted by CEN Community Resource Manager (CRM). General information concerning CEN was provided by the CRM as well as additional information requested by the committee during the tour. The information provided during the tour included, but was not limited to, the general safety and security of the facility, new cell phone blocking system, fire safety, food services, medical services, job training requirements for staff, escape procedures, inmate treatment, investigations, a housing unit, religious and educational accommodations. CEN has approximately 3,040 inmates, 1,170 staff members; this includes approximately 747 peace officers. The annual budget for CEN is $140 Million, which is approximately $46,053 per inmate annually. Tour: The CGJ was able to tour CEN during the month of October 2013. There is a new warden had come on board in the last several months. The warden was not available to meet with the CGJ as it was committee day. That was where the warden meets with inmates housed for disciplinary areas to look their future housing needs and to ensure their legal processes have been met. The CRM was very open, accommodating and invited questions from the members of the panel. He advised the jury panel that there was no places that were off limits to us, and that the tour could be conducted as we pleased. The CGJ members were advised that there had been some budget cuts in recent years, which affected the prison. Some vocational programs had been cut as well as had the community service crews. Some additional cuts were due to the prison realignment bill (AB-109) becoming law two years earlier. This also meant a reduction in staff members and fewer inmates due to their being reassigned to the county jails – throughout the state. However, CEN staff advised that there were still rehabilitation programs available to inmates, and there were programs to assist the families of inmates. Medical Care: CEN has an Outpatient Housing Unit (OHU) to see to the needed medical care of inmates. This unit of the prison accounts for approximately 40% of the prison’s annual budget. The OHU has an emergency room, X-ray machines, a full compliment of medical staff and mental health staff available for inmates. This facility is capable of the same basic care practices available in public hospitals and much of the same emergency care as well. There is a central dispensary for prescriptions where medication is sent out to the inmates as needed. In the case of an urgent and serious medical care arising where the OHU is unable to facilitate, inmates are sent out to El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC), to Pioneer Memorial Hospital (PMH) in Brawly in fewer cases, and in some cases Sharps Grossmont in La Mesa. In very less often cases inmates may be life-flighted to other medical facilities. Food Preparation/Service: The CGJ toured the Central Kitchen, where the main preparation of food takes place for inmates. Staff cooks control the cooking, with much of the food actual preparation being done by the inmates themselves. It is a big operation that resembles the type of area one might see on a large military base. Once the food is prepared, it then sent to a quick chill procedure where the food temperature is greatly lowered. Several days afterwards, the food is heated back to serving temperatures at the satellite kitchens just prior to the inmates eating their food. CGJ members observed that the cooling units all operated; those units and the large walk in freezers were kept at the proper temperatures. We also toured the storage room called a “hot room.” This is where food items are stored which inmates might otherwise turn into contraband, such as alcohol. The prison does not control the specific food or portions served. A state dietitian/nutritionist at a central location determines the basic food need of the inmates. There are some differences though. Two hot meals are served daily, and a bag lunch is provided to inmates for lunch. Some inmates have different meals due to medical or religious reasons, such as vegetarian, kosher or other. Safety and Security: CEN is designated as a Level II (medium-higher custody) and a Level III (high custody) prison. They also have a Minimum Support Facility (Level I MSF), and a Sensitive Needs Yard (SNY) for inmates where it has been determined that they can not be housed with the General Population (GP) inmates. At the time of the CGJ visit, CEN was in the process of testing a new system for blocking illegal cell phone calls. This cell phone blocking system is being funded entirely by the company that services the internal pay phones that inmates have access to. CEN, like all other prisons had an issue with inmates obtaining illegal cell phones. Prison staff determined that these illegal phones were detrimental to the well being of staff and other inmates alike. Staff also advised that there have been some issues with the cell signal blockers, but they are working on those problems. Cell phone calls can not be monitored, and inmates use them for different illegal purposes, such as narcotic sales, gang activities or assaults on others both inside and outside the prison system. Illegal narcotic use and sales are still issues at CEN, but staff was employing methods to combat that. During the CGJ visit, we toured the AD-SEG (Administrative Segregation Unit – ASU). Staff advised the CGJ that inmates involved in serious incidents or have safety concern are placed in the ASU pending adjudication. The ASU is a type of a prison within a prison. Inmates are placed there due to issues that would require a higher level of security. All inmates in ASU are placed in restraints anytime they are moved outside of their cell. They have a more limited recreation area and may only be with their own cellmates there, though they can see and hear other inmates easily. There was an observation made by jury members that the staff member in the control booth was extremely busy overseeing such a large area. While in the ASU jury members observed that a portable X-ray machine was used to scan inmate property as it was searched. This was a newer tool for CEN. The CGJ also observed that an inmate that was suspected of ingesting some type of contraband (drugs, weapon, etc.) The procedure was to keep this inmate separated in a special cell and remain under constant and direct 24/7 observation for 72 hours, or until they “pass” the contraband. The recreation yards on each Level IV facility were fenced and divided for increased security. CEN has armed towers at critical points and a lethal electrified fence in place for escape prevention. Jury members observed that the Gatehouse at the entrance was now an armed post, where in previous years the CGJ reported that as a need. CEN has its own institutional firefighters, composed of eight (8) inmates and assigned staff members. These Level I inmate firefighting teams also respond to local fires to support fire teams in the communities. Training: All Correctional Peace Officers must complete a state operated academy prior to starting work at CEN. Non Peace Officers are given an assortment of training as it relates to their individual assignment. All staff members are provided with at least 32 to 40 hours of annual In Service Training (IST). Some of the training includes prison security, escape prevention, inmate transportation, firearms, and First Aid/CPR. Other correctional staff members provide most of the training on grounds. Conclusion: CGJ committee members determined that CEN is a well run prison. Prison staff members greeted CGJ members regularly as the tour progressed. They were willing to speak freely and answer questions. CGJ members greeted inmates during the tour, and most replied. No inmates were spoken with at length. It was noticed that inmates have a great deal rights, benefits and liberties at the taxpayers expense, in comparison to the average lower income citizen.
• R3
  Make it a training issue for staff to work with the volunteers, without risking security, particularly with those who may enhance the rehabilitative process.
• R4
  Jail administrators work with county supervisors and administrators to apply for and otherwise seek grants and funding needed for the increased costs of providing adequate housing for more inmates to come.
• R5
  Openly recognize when staff members do a good job and do what is needed to retain such staff. Response Required: The Imperial County Civil Grand Jury requires a written response within sixty days of this report being made public. 2013-2014 Imperial County Civil Grand Jury Final Report of Findings Subject of Investigation : Imperial County Juvenile Hall Justification: The Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) is authorized and required to inspect the Imperial County Juvenile Hall (ICJH) annually, as required by the State of California. Background: The ICJH operates under the regulations of the California Standards Authority. The Juvenile Hall detention facility is located directly behind the main building of the Imperial County Probation Department (IVPD). The IVPD administers the Juvenile Division and employs a Chief Deputy to oversee the Juvenile Hall and its staff. The Juvenile Hall Facility Manager conducted a complete tour of the installation for the CGJ committee along with a follow-up meeting to answer additional questions. Investigation: The ICJH Facility Manager maintains a staff of six (6) supervisors, seventeen (17) full time staff and five (5) extra help. The staff has good morale and cohesion, thus keeping the turnover minimal. All staff members are well trained for the many different functions required by their jobs, thus providing the county with a safe and well functioning Juvenile Hall. The ICJH can house a total of seventy-two (72) minors (Wards) in its facility. The day of our tour/investigation there were sixteen (16) Wards detained, which consisted of thirteen (13) male Wards and three (3) female Wards. The average daily population of Wards for 2013 (year-to-date) was sixteen (16) Wards with each Ward having an average stay of eight (8) days. The facility is divided into two (2) main sections: The thirty-two (32) bed front section and the forty (40) bed rear section. Each section has a command and control center with closed circuit TV monitors used for security and safety purpose. The command and control center was upgraded a couple of years ago and includes touch screen controls and upgraded security measures. The front section has three (3) dormitories, which each dormitory having a day room with couches, books, a large screen TV and a telephone that can be used for collect calling. All dormitories have communal showers which include partitions as modesty panels for privacy. The front section of the building is used to house Wards, except for the occasional times when the population increases and the rear section is needed. In the front section, sixteen (16) of the thirty-two (32) rooms do not have toilets and sinks. These rooms are called “dry rooms” and are used occasionally to house Wards. The front section of the facility contains a medical office staff break area and an Imperial County Behavioral Health office. The front section also contains a dining hall which includes a service bay food distribution area. It has a well-equipped and stocked kitchen which prepares three (3) hot meals and snacks each day for all the Wards. Additionally there is an attached outdoor fenced in area for recreational activities such as basketball, soccer and volleyball. At ICJH the primary concern is for the safety of the Wards and staff. Each dormitory has a security officer who is assigned to physically check the occupied beds/rooms every fifteen (15) minutes twenty-four (24) per day. Wards attaining eighteen (18) years of age, while at the facility, are separated from the general population as they wait for processing into the adult judicial system. The continued use of pepper spray has reduced the fighting among Wards which is the main source of injuries for both Wards and staff. Wards are thoroughly briefed on the consequences of fighting and are provided a warning about “pepper spray” The warning states that each Ward must get down into the prone position and cover their faces. Pepper spray is only used when Wards refuse to comply with the order to stop fighting. If Wards continue to fight and violate the rules, it will result in a loss of privileges. A positive reinforcement program is used by ICJH staff to control behavior. Positive points are obtained for each Ward for cooperating by helping with cleaning, food service or extra duties. These points can be used for items at the institution store for small amounts of snacks or other items. This positive reinforcement program has continued to improve the safety, general physical and emotional well-being of the Wards and staff. The Kitchen Manager for the ICJH ensures that the meals prepared for the Wards are in compliance with the nutritional guidelines for the Federal Government and the State of California. Each Wards’ meals and snacks are closely monitored to assure they are eating healthy food. The Imperial County Health and Fire Departments routinely inspect the kitchen facilities to insure everything is in compliance with standards. ICJH must maintain compliance with the State of California educational standards with all Wards in their care. There are two (2) well equipped classrooms for daily morning and afternoon sessions. Since they are in compliance with educational standards, a High School Diploma and GED educational studies are available. Independent programs are available for Wards that must be segregated from the general population. A computerized Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (D. R. A. I.) continues to be utilized for evaluating incoming juveniles (Wards). This system has greatly reduced the need for internment for many alleged and/or convicted offenders. The juvenile offender is evaluated based on convictions and offenses. The System determines whether a minor (Ward) can be released to their guardians prior to their court date or placed on probation without internment. ICJH is using the computerized Massachusetts Adolescent Youth Screening Instrument (M.A.Y.S.I.) to evaluate the mental health status of all admitted Wards into the system. This M.A.Y.S.I. process is used to assess incoming Wards to determine if they need additional screening or care by a metal health professional. Wards making or showing suicidal signs are handled very seriously and are put on suicide watch immediately as Behavioral Health is contacted. The Ward is required to wear self-protective clothing and placed in a special room until cleared by a mental health professional. They are closely monitored and observed by staff every five (5) minutes. At ICJH, volunteers are a vital component for improving the well-being of Wards. Many religious organizations conduct one on one counseling and group studies/activities. The Grandparents Program, run by Catholic Charities, is especially helpful and productive in helping the Wards with life skill mentoring and tutoring. They set excellent role models for the Wards and are there as someone to just talk to. Conclusion: The 2013-2014 Imperial Valley Juvenile Hall Committee has determined that the ICJH is an extremely well run facility with only a few issues found, that can be easily corrected.