2007-2008 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report Elmwood Correctional Complex:

Conclusions 7

• CL1 Page 6
  The Grand Jury finds that the County has not implemented appropriate security measures despite numerous requests from the DOC and recommendations from past Grand Juries.
• CL2 Page 6
  As a result of the November 2007 inmate escape, a significant issue regarding perimeter security was revealed.
• CL3 Page 6
  The presence of the FAF workshop at Elmwood represents an entire function over which Elmwood’s administrators have little to no control and detracts from the facility’s security. Additionally, supervision of FAF staff appears to be inadequate.
• CL4 Page 7
  The substantial activity created by the entrance and exit of FAF personnel is very staff intensive for Elmwood personnel as FAF vans need to be inspected at each transition. The current number of FAF vehicles, staff, and tools entering and leaving the facility represent a threat to the security of the institution.
• CL5 Page 7
  FAF employees have left tools inside the facility to which inmates have had access, thus posing a potential threat.
• CL6 Page 7
  A review of DOC paperwork logs revealed that, in several instances, the entries lacked accuracy and that supervisory follow-up was not taking place in accordance with department policy.
• CL7 Page 5
  The County’s mission statement is as follows: “The mission of the County of Santa Clara is to build and maintain a healthy and safe community for our residents.” A core service of the County is to provide a correctional institution that, in turn, involves maintaining a safe and secure facility for inmates, staff, and the general public. Without a significant effort on the part of the County to resolve the ongoing issues discussed in this report, the Grand Jury believes that there is significant basis for concern on the part of the citizens of this county and especially the residents of the City of Milpitas. Previous Grand Juries have reported on the issue of Elmwood security, yet recommendations have not been implemented. The issues that are internal to DOC seem to be addressed in a responsible and timely manner when pointed out; however, the issues requiring capital improvement linger on for years, and once funded, take far too long to complete. The County Executive’s statement that a DOC-requested security enhancement project “has been addressed” when, in fact, it has not even been funded should raise questions regarding the priority of these requests and the effectiveness of the capital improvement process. Projects that do not get funded can get lost for years in the funding process. Consequently, this Grand Jury concludes that the County administration is not giving these issues the appropriate priority and thus is failing to meet a significant element of the County’s mission. 5 Findings and Recommendations The findings were reviewed with the subject agencies. Finding 1 The Grand Jury finds that the County has not implemented appropriate security measures despite numerous requests from the DOC and recommendations from past Grand Juries. Recommendation 1 The County needs to elevate the importance of funding the DOC-requested security measures and complete implementation within the next 18 months. Finding 2 As a result of the November 2007 inmate escape, a significant issue regarding perimeter security was revealed. Recommendation 2 DOC management should work with FAF management immediately to implement a solution to this problem. Finding 3 The presence of the FAF workshop at Elmwood represents an entire function over which Elmwood’s administrators have little to no control and detracts from the facility’s security. Additionally, supervision of FAF staff appears to be inadequate. Recommendation 3 FAF management should ensure that their employees assigned to Elmwood are supervised appropriately. FAF should consider eliminating or reducing the scope of the Elmwood workshop, and Elmwood DOC staff should have control of this structure. 6 Finding 4 The substantial activity created by the entrance and exit of FAF personnel is very staff intensive for Elmwood personnel as FAF vans need to be inspected at each transition. The current number of FAF vehicles, staff, and tools entering and leaving the facility represent a threat to the security of the institution. Recommendation 4 DOC management should review FAF’s access to the Elmwood facility and implement a procedure that will result in a more stringent requirement for access. Finding 5 FAF employees have left tools inside the facility to which inmates have had access, thus posing a potential threat. Recommendation 5 DOC should implement the draft policy titled, Control of Tools and Equipment, dated April 30, 2003. Finding 6 A review of DOC paperwork logs revealed that, in several instances, the entries lacked accuracy and that supervisory follow-up was not taking place in accordance with department policy. Recommendation 6 DOC should implement a supervisory and management level review of all critical documentation to ensure that all procedures and records are being followed and documented in line with departmental policy. 7 References (Confidential) County of Santa Clara, Department of Correction. (Draft Policy). Control of Tools and Equipment, April 30, 2003. (Confidential) County of Santa Clara, Department of Correction. Elmwood Complex: East Gate Vehicle Control Log, December 2007. (Confidential) County of Santa Clara Department of Correction. Elmwood Staffing and Inmate Population Statistics: Fiscal Year 2000 through February 28, 2008. (Confidential) County of Santa Clara, Department of Correction. Employee’s Report, April 18, 2007. (Confidential) County of Santa Clara, Department of Correction. Employee’s Report, December 31, 2007. (Confidential) County of Santa Clara, Department of Correction. Escape from Custody Report PC 4532. Elmwood Correctional Facility. November 24, 2007. (Confidential) County of Santa Clara, Department of Correction. East Gate Vehicle Control Log, December 2007. County of Santa Clara, Facilities and Fleet Department. Elmwood Correctional Facility Project Information, March 20, 2008. County of Santa Clara, Facilities and Fleet Department. Attachment B; Facilities and Fleet Department Vehicles, February 27, 2008. County of Santa Clara, Office of the County Executive. Response to Grand Jury Report – “Four Elmwood Inmate [sic] Escapes [sic] in Five Weeks,” May 30, 2007. (Confidential) County of Santa Clara, Department of Correction. Memorandum. East Gate, October 12, 2006. Santa Clara County 2006-2007 Civil Grand Jury Final Report. Four Elmwood Inmates Escape in Five Weeks, January 2007. 8 Visitations and Interviews August 8, 2007 Grand Jury tour of Elmwood Correctional Complex January 7, 2008 Administrator, Santa Clara County Department of Correction February 1, 2008 Grand Jury unannounced inspection of Elmwood Correctional Complex February 20, 2008 Administrator, Santa Clara County Department of Facilities and Fleet February 25, 2008 Administrator, Milpitas Police Department February 27, 2008 Administrator, Santa Clara County Department of Correction February 27, 2008 Grand Jury unannounced inspection of Elmwood Correctional Complex February 27, 2008 Administrator, Santa Clara County Department of Correction February 27, 2008 Administrator, Santa Clara County Department of Correction February 27, 2008 Correctional Officer, Santa Clara County Department of Correction March 3, 2008 Manager, Santa Clara County Department of Facilities and Fleet March 3, 2008 Manager, Santa Clara County Department of Correction March 3, 2008 Administrator, Santa Clara County Department of Correction March 7, 2008 Manager, Santa Clara County Department of Facilities and Fleet March 7, 2008 Manager, Santa Clara County Department of Correction March 14, 2008 Inspection of Elmwood Correctional Facility 9 PASSED and ADOPTED by the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury on this 15th day of May, 2008. Raymond A. Blockie, Jr. Foreperson Tim Cuneo Foreperson pro tem Kathryn C. Philp Secretary 1 0 County Department of Correction Elmwood Complex This aerial photograph of the Elmwood Correctional Complex circa 1997 looks southwest and shows the East Gate running off of Abel Street on the left side of the photo. The West Gate and visitor parking lot appear in the upper right of the photo. 1 1 County Department of Correction Elmwood Complex This aerial photograph of the Elmwood Correctional Complex taken in 2008 looks southwest and shows the East Gate running off of Abel Street on the left side of the photo. The West Gate and visitor parking lot appear in the upper right of the photo. 1 2

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.