Response to Grand Jury Report Report Title: Humboldt County Custody & Corrections Facilities Report Date: May 31, 2024*

The Humboldt County Animal Shelter manual is comprehensive, clear, and defines roles and tasks for staff and volunteers. The manual makes it easier for staff and volunteers to understand their job duties. Response: Agree.

The number of euthanasia's in 1998 of over 4,000 animals was reduced to 78 cats and dogs in 2021. This reduction saves money, reduces stress, and is appreciated by the public. Response: Agree.

The Humboldt County Animal Shelter roof has been leaking for several years, causing damage to the building. The leaking roof could result in further damage. (R1) Response: Agree.

Outdoor parking lot entry lights are dysfunctional or absent. This lack of lighting leads to safety concerns for staff and clients. (R2) Response: Agree.

Outdoor yard area lighting is dysfunctional or absent. This lack of lighting may lead to fewer evening adoptions. (R2) Response: Agree. HUMBOLDT COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER RECOMMENDATIONS

The current staff is dedicated to helping wards make a positive transition into the community after time spent in the Humboldt County Juvenile Detention Center. This positive transition can help prevent recidivism. Response: Agree.

Several educational and trade programs are offered to the wards, which can help prevent recidivism. Response: Agree.

Due to a lack of personnel, staff is required to put in mandatory overtime. This lack of personnel can cause burnout and low retention of staff. (R4) Response: Agree.

Juvenile Correctional Officers are paid $3.50 per hour less than Correctional Deputies but with similar responsibilities and training. This lower wage makes it difficult to attract qualified staff. (R4) Response: Partially Agree. The Humboldt County Probation Department agrees that the low wage for the position of Juvenile Correctional Officers (JCO) makes it difficult to attract qualified staff to this challenging, multi-faceted position. During Fiscal Year 2023-24 the Probation Department worked with the consulting firm MRG, to determine appropriate pay within the Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) and Probation Officer career ladders. MRG recommended to increase the entry level JCO pay, and recommended a specific wage that was determined by comparing the JCO classification to that of Correctional Deputy and Deputy Probation Officer. The job duties and skills required for a JCO were weighted against these other two job classifications. The result was a recommended 10% pay increase to the position of JCO I, which reduced the gap between their pay and that of Correctional Deputy to $1.45 per hour. The recommended wage increase was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 30, 2024 and went into effect the following pay period.

There is no rain gutter in the area leading from the basketball court to the grass area. The lack of a rain gutter can cause staff and wards to get wet, leading to the potential for slip-and-fall accidents and repeatedly soaked clothing. (R5) Response: Agree. HUMBOLDT COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER RECOMMENDATIONS

The Humboldt County Correctional Facility roof leaks. This leaking results in more maintenance and upkeep and could negatively impact living and working conditions for inmates and staff, as well as incur additional expenses to the County. (R6) Response: Agree.

The wall-mounted parallel bar exercise equipment at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility needs repair. The torn padded section provides a location to hide contraband and may limit some exercise options. (R7) Response: Agree. HUMBOLDT COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS

When attending deaths where other people are also present, the Coroner's Office staff is accompanied by volunteer clergy, who counsel and console traumatized people. This counselling may assist survivors of the deceased during a difficult time. Response: Agree.

Student interns and community volunteers contribute many hours to the Coroner's Office, allowing paid staff to focus on other necessary duties. This results in interns obtaining valuable clinical experience, and Humboldt County paying less money from its budget for the Coroner's office. Response: Agree. . •

The Humboldt County Coroner-Public Administrator does not have a Policy and Procedures Manual for the coroner portion of the job that clearly defines job duties, relying instead on on-the-job training practices. These practices can lead to different interpretations of duties, tasks, and responsibilities. (R8) Response: Agree.

In the autopsy room, there is one bare plywood counter partially covered with contact paper and another with plastic laminate. This can result in contamination of evidence and unsanitary working conditions. (R12) Response: Agree.

All Humboldt County Coroner-Public Administrators use one shared code to enter the locked evidence and property storage area, leaving no way to track and identify who has entered these areas. This use of only one shared code can lead to questions about a clear chain of custody, potentially compromising investigations. (R9) Response: Agree.

In one evidence room the Grand Jury observed a bare wall with exposed electrical wires and components. These exposed electrical components are at risk of damage and may pose a danger to stored property and human safety. (R11) Response: Agree.

The Humboldt County Coroner's Office does not have a central computerized data system listing personal property. This could lead to a lack of accountability for lost or misplaced property. (R10) Response: Disagree. The Sheriff has confirmed that tracking property and evidence is available within the Coroner's Offices' current records management system. Additionally, the Humboldt County's Information Technology Division has verified that the Sheriff's Office has recently purchased new Public Administrator software. HUMBOLDT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CORONER-PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATIONS

The Sempervirens Psychiatric Health Facility provides a caring behavioral health staff and programs, resulting in a better quality of life for patients in crisis. Response: Agree.

Sempervirens Psychiatric Health Facility has a serious shortage of staff, resulting in additional stress on existing staff that may affect patient care. (R13) Response: Agree. SEMPERVIRENS PSYCHIATRIC HEALTH FACILITY RECCOMMENDATIONS

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program grounds are orderly and generally well- maintained with minimal inmate supervision needed. This results in a good work environment where skills learned by inmates can translate into life skills including farming and construction. Response: Agree.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program produces meat and vegetables for jail meals thus reducing food costs for the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Response: Agree.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program's Farm invites volunteers to assist. This helps save money and allows the facility to be accepted by neighborhood residents. Response: Agree.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program has a drainage pond several feet below the walking area with minimal fencing between the two. Without adequate fencing to secure this drainage pond, a visitor, officer, or inmate could fall into the pond. (R14) Response: Disagree. The Humboldt County Sheriff has confirmed that the fencing mentioned in this finding is 3-4 ft. tall wiring . . fastened to secured T-bar posts. There is no opening, except for an area that can be opened if access to the drainage area is needed. The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office does not agree that this area poses a hazard to individuals at this location.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program is short-staffed, requiring overtime for deputies. There are times when only one deputy is on duty. This can cause exhaustion and stress. (R15) Response: Agree. SHERIFF'S WORK ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS