Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 2009-2010
Open a School Door, Close a Jail Cell a Report on Mendocino County Juvenile Hall
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 16 findings
F1
The 2009/2010 County budget provides funding for 30.8 positions which includes a three percent vacancy factor.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
State mandated staffing ratios be implemented and maintained at all times by hiring part-time, on call, employees to reduce the necessity for overtime pay. (Findings 1-10)
F2
The staff consists of one Superintendent, five Supervising Correction Counselors, and 17 Correction Counselors, of which five positions are vacant; one licensed vocational nurse on site 32 hours per week, a mental health clinician, and four kitchen staff. Three Correction Counselors are bilingual.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
State mandated staffing ratios be implemented and maintained at all times by hiring part-time, on call, employees to reduce the necessity for overtime pay. (Findings 1-10)
F3
Adequate staffing is mandated by the State at a ratio of one Correction Counselor per 10 juveniles for days and evening shifts and one Supervising Correction Counselor per 30 juveniles for the night shift. One female Correction Counselor must be on the premises at all times.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
State mandated staffing ratios be implemented and maintained at all times by hiring part-time, on call, employees to reduce the necessity for overtime pay. (Findings 1-10)
F4
Savings created by short staffing may be offset by an increase in overtime pay to meet mandated staffing levels.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
State mandated staffing ratios be implemented and maintained at all times by hiring part-time, on call, employees to reduce the necessity for overtime pay. (Findings 1-10)
F5
Five vacant fulltime Correction Counselor positions are being supplanted by four part-time extra help Correction Counselors.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
State mandated staffing ratios be implemented and maintained at all times by hiring part-time, on call, employees to reduce the necessity for overtime pay. (Findings 1-10)
F6
The staff works eight hour shifts, five days per week. Two of the five supervisors work four 10-hour shifts. The schedule provides time for staff to continue their education.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
State mandated staffing ratios be implemented and maintained at all times by hiring part-time, on call, employees to reduce the necessity for overtime pay. (Findings 1-10)
F7
MCOE provides three fulltime teachers, one special educational resource aide, and one paraprofessional. Four substitute teachers are available. The maximum capacity of MCJH is 42 youth, however the facility is considered full at 40. On October 28, 2009, there were 21 youth: 15 males and six females.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
State mandated staffing ratios be implemented and maintained at all times by hiring part-time, on call, employees to reduce the necessity for overtime pay. (Findings 1-10)
F8
A physician or physician’s assistant is available on call 24/7.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
State mandated staffing ratios be implemented and maintained at all times by hiring part-time, on call, employees to reduce the necessity for overtime pay. (Findings 1-10)
F9
Seventy percent of youth have substance abuse issues. Sixty percent of the youth are repeat offenders. Approximately 30% of the youth have behavioral problems and require 75% of staff time.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
State mandated staffing ratios be implemented and maintained at all times by hiring part-time, on call, employees to reduce the necessity for overtime pay. (Findings 1-10)
F10
Mendocino Youth Project staff provides mental health services on site, 20 hours a week.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
State mandated staffing ratios be implemented and maintained at all times by hiring part-time, on call, employees to reduce the necessity for overtime pay. (Findings 1-10)
R2
MCJH provide fulltime mental health and substance-abuse counseling resources to incarcerated youth to prevent high recidivism rates. (Finding 10)
F11
Video observation and electronic security are maintained for doors and common areas throughout the facility at all times. At the time of the GJ visit, there was one camera that would not rotate properly and did not cover its intended yard area.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
MCJH repair the surveillance camera. (Finding 11)
F12
The average length of stay is 15 days. The maximum sentence at MCJH is one year. The stay can be longer for un-sentenced youth.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
One un-sentenced youth was recently incarcerated for over three years.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
the District Attorney shall insure that timely disposition of each case will occur to guarantee that no youth is incarcerated for more than the statutory one- year maximum at MCJH. (Findings 13-14)
F14
Parents/guardians are billed on a sliding scale, up to $18 per day, for the cost of incarcerating a youth in MCJH. The maximum bill for each stay is $900. Reimbursement is problematic.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
the District Attorney shall insure that timely disposition of each case will occur to guarantee that no youth is incarcerated for more than the statutory one- year maximum at MCJH. (Findings 13-14)
F15
There is zero tolerance for anything gang related.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
improve the system of billing and collecting from parents/guardians to offset the daily cost of incarcerating the youth in the facility. (Finding 15)
F16
MCJH does not receive asset forfeiture funds.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
anti-gang educational programs funded through asset forfeiture funds be utilized at MCJH. (Findings 16-17)