Trinity County Detention Facility*

Conclusions 1

• CL1
  On March 6, 2007, a follow-up visit and interview with the jail commander by members of the Grand Jury Judicial Committee discovered that numerous repairs had been made and are ongoing within the facility. "F" Dorm repairs have been completed (plumbing leaks fixed, fixtures replaced and ventilation system repaired), and "G" Dorm repairs were currently under construction. "C" Dorm plumbing repairs have also been completed. The jail has hired two new employees but has lost three (two were relieved of duty and one left to attend the academy). There is available funding to hire three additional staff although there has been a shortage of qualified applicants applying for the positions. Considering the limits on funding, the, overcrowding and disrepair of the jail, the Grand Jury feels the jail staff is doing a satisfactory job. Responses Required: Entity Finding Recommendation Respond in Board of Supervisors 1,2,3 1,2,3 90 days Director, General Services 2,3 2,3 60 days Trinity County Sheriff 1,2,3 1,2,3 60 days CAO 1,2,3 1,2,3 60 days TRINITY COUNTY BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES P.O. BOX 476, WEAVERVILLE, CALIFORNIA 96093 PHONE (530) 623-1354 FAX (530) 623-1353 wya„ sgmgry )-f) JUN 2 9 2007 TO: The Honorable James P. Woodard Presiding Judge of the Trinity Superior Court Trinity County Board of Su .sors FROM: Trinity County's Director Building & Development Services pointed duties of the General Services Director in 2005 DATE: June 28, 2007 SUBJECT: 2006-2007 Trinity County Grand Jury Report Judicial Committee Final Report — Building and Development Services Department Appointed the duties of General Services Director The Trinity County Grand Jury Judicial Committee has requested a written response to their final Report of Trinity County Detention Facility. The response of the Director of Building and Development Services Department is as follows: Finding #1: The Director of Building and Development Services Department agrees with Finding #1. Recommendation #1: The recommendation pertaining to this matter is not under the control of any of my divisions, therefore is not applicable. Finding #2: The Director of Building and Development Services Department agrees with Finding #2. Recommendation #2: The recommendation pertaining to this matter is not under the control of any of my divisions, therefore is not applicable. Finding #3: The Director of Building and Development Services Department does not agree with Finding #3 as follows: A.) Building Facilities Services (General Services) responds when procedures are followed, as in the form of a written work order with detailed requests. The Detention Facility has been given the written procedure process several times, but Building Facility believes that with staff turn over and/or re-assignments of duties, the process has possibly not been relayed. —73— Building Inspection Division Environmental Health Division Airports Division Building and Grounds Division (530) 623-1354 (530) 623-1459 (530) 623-9585 (530) 623-1354 FAX: (530) 623-1353 FAX: (530) 623-1353 FAX: (530) 623-1353 FAX: (530) 623-1353 q q q q B.) The Director of Building and Development Services Department agrees with Finding #3 as it pertains towards the ventilation system. C.) The Director of Building and Development Services Department has not been made aware of any wall, camera or fencing maintenance issues. To my knowledge, no work order exists. D.) The Director of Building and Development Services Department agrees with Finding #3 as to the disrepair of toilets and sinks in F & G Dorms. E.) The Director of Building and Development Services Department agrees with Finding #3 as to the issues with areas of booking and entrance, but no design requested or ordered, work order or funding request has been sent for the booking, dispatch or entrance office areas. F.) The balance of this recommendation pertaining to this matter is not under the control of any of my divisions, therefore is not applicable. Recommendation #3: The recommendation has been implemented. See above for Finding #3 Sections A, B & D have been funded, designed for penal grade fixtures, RFP for bids for construction and completed by a local contractor though the Capitol Improvements Budget. The balance of this recommendation pertaining to this matter is not under the control of any of my divisions, therefore is not applicable. TRINITY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT P.O. BOX 1228, WEAVERVILLE, CA 96093 Phone: (530) 623-2611 LORRAC CRAIG, Sheriff To: The Honorable James Woodward Presiding Judge of .%aS. uperior Court From: Sheriff Lorrac Craig Subject: Response to Recommendations of 2006-2007 Grand Jury Judicial Committee Final Report - Trinity County Detention Facility Date: August 15, 2007 The Grand Jury Judicial Committee has requested a written response to their final report regarding their facility inspection on September 25, 2006. in my capacity as Sheriff, my responses are as follows: Finding #1: Understaffing Response: Agree Recommendation #1: Unable to implement The Grand Jury report is in error in that staffing levels are at about 75% of allocation and not 50%. There are currently 4 unfilled positions with two of those unfunded. At the time of this response the other two positions will become unfunded due to budget reductions. Training is on track with two remaining officers to attend "core" training before the end of this calendar year. On-going skills training is also on schedule. Finding #2: Staff Morale - benefits package Response: Disagree Recommendation: In process of implementation Officers are currently in a 6-year negotiated pay package that includes a 3% at 50 segment that goes into effect in January of 2008. Facility design does contribute to morale issues, but short of construction of a new jail, little can be done to this contributor. Grand Jury Response Page 2 August 15, 2007 Finding #3: Jail conditions Response: Agree/disagree Recommendation: Partial implementation Dorms F and G have been remodeled at the cost of approximately $150,000. The remodel has improved the living situation for inmates in those housing units. General Services has repaired ventilation and air conditioning units servicing the jail. Design and facility age contribute to the requirement for on-going maintenance. The reference to numerous escapes from the exercise yard equate to three (3) in the history of the facility. Funds have yet to be allocated to upgrade the exterior wall and door of dispatch. Medicine dispersal is as fine-tuned as can be short of hiring a nurse full-time to do the job. Grant funding for new jail construction is coming available in the next couple of years. When the ability presents itself, this office will be prepared to apply and compete for the funds. I appreciate that the Grand Jury recognizes that the current jail cannot be modified or updated to accommodate future expansion. The need will be to construct a new facility using current day technology to provide staff and inmates a safe environment in which to work and live. TRINITY COUNTY Office of the County Administrator LARRY A. LAYTON County Administrative Officer P.O. BOX 1613, WEAVERVILLE, CALIFORNIA 96093-1613 PHONE (530) 623-1382 FAX (530) 623-8365 RECEIVED N'L-e14,11: AUG 2 9 2007 TRINITY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT TO: TThhee Honorable James P. Woodward, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court FROM: Larry A. Layton, County Administrative Officer CC: Kelly Frost, Deputy Clerk of the Board SUBJECT: Response to Recommendations of 2006-07 Grand Jury Judicial Committee Final Report Trinity County Detention Facility DATE: August 24, 2007 The Grand Jury Judicial Committee has requested a written response to their final report on the Trinity County Detention Facility. In my capacity as County Administrative Officer, my response is as follows: Finding #1: During the initial inspection, the detention facility was in a state of disrepair. Understaffed: The jail is functioning with less than 50% of its required staffing. County funding has cut staff levels at the jail by half Current staff is young and inexperienced without adequate training. A minimum of two jailers (one man and one woman when possible) are working twelve hour shifts. This creates problems complying with the safety and procedure practices set forth by the California Code of Regulations. For example, when one officer is distributing medications only one officer is available to watch the front, book new prisoners, do head counts, answer phones and tend to any other responsibilities. Security measures are less than ideal. Potential breakouts threaten the safety of the officers, inmates and the general public. Response: I agree in part with this finding. Current jail staffing does not meet the desired levels due to difficulty in hiring and the training requirements of these positions. Recommendation #1: Increase staffing levels and improve training for all personnel. —77— Response: This recommendation has been implemented. The County is continually recruiting and training employees for these positions, and will continue to do so. Finding #2: Staff Morale: Trinity County deputies and correctional officers have been promised but are not currently included in the State CalPERS 3% at age 50 retirement program which is in place for most other state and county law and fire agencies. They hope to have this program in place within the next 2 years. Pay parity is below that of surrounding counties and there is limited affordable housing. Morale of the jailers is low due to the working conditions (long hours without breaks, cramped work space, overbooked jail and little public support). Response: I disagree with this finding because the information contained in the finding is inaccurate. The County's current contract includes implementation of 3% at 50 retirement program effective January 2008. The current facility is not conducive to high morale among inmates or jailers, and the County is seeking opportunities to work with the State to build a new facility. Recommendation #2: Start the process to access funding for the immediate repairs needed to bring the jail up to safety and health standards. Encourage county supervisors to approve the improved benefit package. Response: This recommendation has been implemented. As stated above, the County is seeking grant funds for construction of a new jail facility and the Board of Supervisors approved the improved benefits package five years ago when they approved the current MOU. Finding #3: Jail Conditions: Overall, the conditions are dismal. Security procedures are being ignored or shortcut due to understaffing and overcrowding. General Services has been slow to respond when it comes to maintenance. Surveillance: There is a need to improve and update the security surveillance cameras to monitor continuously rather than every three seconds. Space: More is needed for supplies and additional prisoners. Currently the maximum jail capacity is 53 inmates. Often, there are up to 68 inmates held. Cells are intended to room 4-6 prisoners and are being used by up to 10. Ventilation system: Dust and debris is clogging the ventilation system. General Services has been unable to fix or contract a vendor to handle this problem. The air is stifling in several of the dorms, (most notably F & G), causing safety and health concerns. Exercise yard: A security risk. Numerous escape attempts have been made from here. The Surveillance cameras should be mounted higher up out of reach and inclined fencing could be added to discourage going over the wall. The concrete/stucco walls are being gouged by the prisoners and as a result are crumbling and falling apart, giving prisoners ball size chunks of concrete to hit with or throw. The booking and dispatch office in the front of the building has inferior quality doors, locks, bulletproof glass and wall material. Currently, a distraught individual could walk into the waiting room and shoot through the windows, wall or door at either a prisoner or an officer. Several toilets and sinks leak throughout the jail, particularly cells C & D, the detox holding cell and dorms F & G, causing both health and safety concerns. —78— Medicine dispersal: The procedure for distributing medicines within the.j ail was explained to the Grand Jury. Although there is some potential risk in distributing the wrong medicines to inmates, if the procedures are followed correctly, they should be adequate to ensure that the correct medicines go to the correct inmate. Misreading the physician's hand written prescription is the most common error. If this happens, the policy is to wait until the physician can be contacted and confirm the exact prescription. This could cause a serious problem if it is a time-critical medication. It was explained that the current physician has been successful at weaning many of the inmates off or unnecessary medications. Response: I agree in part and disagree in part with this finding. The county recognizes that the age of this facility is the cause of significant deterioration and that the design does not meet current standards. In the past several years the County has invested significant amounts of money to upgrade and maintain the current facility, however the only long term solution to this problem is to apply and obtain grant funds to construct a new jail. The County has contracted for the first phase of the study that is necessary to increase our chances of obtaining grant funds. Recommendation #3: Look into fund-raising opportunities including grants available for the county to design and build a new jail facility. The current jail is not designed to be easily modified or updated to accommodate future needs. Have physician type the prescription directions on all medications to avoid errors in distributing medicines to inmates. Response: This recommendation has been partially implemented. As previously stated the County is taking steps to allow us to be competitive in upcoming grant opportunities for construction of a new jail. To the best of our knowledge it is not the current practice for physicians to type prescriptions for any of their patients, and therefore it is impractical to require this of physicians treating jail inmates. Finding #4: Meals: The mess hall was in good operating condition and appeared to be used efficiently for staff and inmates. Two cold meals and one hot meal are served daily to inmates. Staff commented that the food serving sizes have been reduced due to budget constraints. Some prisoners have complained. Response: I agree with this finding. Recommendation #4: No recommendation on thisf inding. Finding #5: The Dispatch Center is modern and helps increase safety and proficiency of jail staff It is a valuable asset to the facility and an example of using grant funding to make a difference in county departments. Response: I agree with this finding. Recommendation #5: No recommendation on this finding. LAL:wt —79— TRINITY couNTY Board of Supervisors P.O. BOX 1613, WEAVERVILLE, CALIFORNIA 96093 PHONE (530) 623-1217 FAX (530) 623-8365 The Honorable James P. Woodward Presiding Judge of the Superior Court FROM: Trinity County Board of Supervisors SUBJECT: Response to Recommendation of the 2006-2007 Grand Jury Judicial Committee Final Report Trinity County Detention Facility DATE: Sept. 24, 2007 The Trinity County Grand Jury Judicial Committee has requ written response to their final report of the Trinity County Detention Facility. The Trinity County Board of Supervisors responses as follows: Finding #1: During the initial inspection, the detention facility was in a state of disrepair. Understaffed: The jail is functioning with less than 50% of its required staffing. County funding has cut staff levels at the jail by half Current staff is young and inexperienced without adequate training. A minimum of two jailers (one man and one woman when possible) are working twelve hour shifts. This creates a problem complying with the safety and procedure practices set forth by the California Code of Regulations. For example, when one officer is distributing medications, only one officer is available to watch the front, book new prisoners, do head counts, answer phones and tend to any other responsibilities. Security measures are less than ideal. Potential breakouts threaten the safety of the officers, inmates and the general public. Response: The Board agrees with this finding. Recommendation #1: Increase staffing levels and improve trainingf or all personnel Response: Has been implemented. The County has an on-going recruitment for deputies and correctional officers. Finding #2: Staff morale: Trinity County deputies and correctional officers have been promised but are not currently included in the State CalPERS 3% at age 50 retirement program which is in place for most other state and county law and fire agencies. They -80- JUDY PFLUEGER JEFF MORRIS ROGER JAEGEL HOWARD FREEMAN WENDY REISS DISTRICT I DISTRICT 2 DISTRICT 3 DISTRICT 4 DISTRICT 5 hope to have this program in place within the next two years. Pay partity is below that of the surrounding counties and there is limited affordable housing. Morale of the jailers is low due to the working conditions (long hours without breaks, cramped work space, overbooked jail and little public support). Response: The Board disagrees with this finding Recommendation #2: Start process to access funds for the immediate repairs needed to bring the jail up to safety and health standards. Encourage county supervisors to approve the improved benefits package. Response: Has been implemented. Officers are currently in a negotiated pay package that includes the 3% at 50 segment beginning January 2008. The County is working with the State to seek opportunities for funding a new facility. Finding #3: Jail conditions: Overall, the conditions are dismal. Security procedures are being ignored or shortcut due to understaffing and overcrowding. General Services has been slow to respond when it comes to necessary maintenance. Surveillance: There is a need to improve and update the security surveillance cameras to monitor continuously rather than every three seconds. Space: More is needed for supplies and additiOonal prisoners. Currently the maximum jail capacity is 53 inmates. Often, there are up to 68 inmates held. Cells are intended to room 4-6 prisoners and are being used by up to 10. Ventilation system: Dust and debris is clogging the ventilation system. General Services has been unable to fix or contract a vendor to handle this problem. The air is stifling in several of the dorms (most notably F&G), causing safety and health concerns. Exercise yard: A security risk Numerous escapes have been made from here. The surveillance cameras should be mounted higher up out of reach and inclined fencing could be added to discourage going over the wall. The concrete/stucco walls are being gouged by the prisoners and as a result are crumbling and falling apart, giving prisoners ball size chunks of concrete to hit with or throw. The booking and dispatch office in the front of the building has inferior quality doors, locks, bulletproof glass and wall material. Currently, a distraught individual could walk into the waiting room and shoot through the windows, wall or door at either a prisoner or an officer. Several toilets and sinks leak throughout the jail, particularly cells C&D, the detox holding cell and dorms F&G, causing both health & safety concerns. Medicine dispersal: The procedure for distributing medicines within the jail was explained to the Grand Jury. Although there is some potential risk in distributing the wrong medicines to the inmates, if the procedures are followed correctly, they should be adequate to ensure that the correct medicines go to the correct inmate. Misreading the physician's hand written prescription is the most common error. If this happens, the policy is to wait until the physician can be contacted and confirms the exact prescription. This could cause a serious problem if it is a time-critical medication. It was explained that the current physician has been successful at weaning many of the inmates off of unnecessary medications. —81— Response: The Board agrees with this finding. Recommendation #3: Look into fund-raising opportunities including grants available for the county to design and build a new jail facility. The current jail is not designed to be easily modified or updated to accommodate future needs. Have physician type the prescription directions an all medications to avoid errors in distributing medicines to inmates. Response: Will be implemented. The County has contracted for a first phase study that will be necessary to our applications for funding sources for a new facility. In addition, the County has invested significant funds to upgrade and maintain the current facility in the past couple of years.

No Responses Found 3

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