Detention Facilities in Santa Barbara County

Conclusions 5

• CL1
  Not all Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Custody Deputies have been trained in the use of various restraint systems being used by different agencies throughout the County.
• CL2
  Radio reception in some areas patrolled by the deputies working out of Santa Barbara County Substations is poor with many dead spots.
• CL3
  There is a Custody Deputy shortage in the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.
• CL4
  Internal surveillance cameras at the Santa Maria Police Department have not been installed.
• CL5
  The 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury learned that some of the problems in the law enforcement community are radio communications and personnel vacancies. In addition, many agency buildings were built 20 to 50 years ago and it was found they are still safe for staff and arrestees. Ground was broken on the new Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s North County Jail in Santa Maria in October 2016. The current Main Jail located in Santa Barbara will continue to be used; however, the infrastructure needs major renovation. 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury 8 DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Finding 1 Radio reception in some areas patrolled by the deputies working out of Santa Barbara County Substations is poor with many dead spots. Recommendation 1 That the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office upgrade its radio system ensuring coverage in all areas, which will help protect deputies and citizens. Finding 2 There is a Custody Deputy shortage in the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. Recommendation 2 That the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department hire more personnel to fill these vacancies. Finding 3 Internal surveillance cameras at the Santa Maria Police Department have not been installed. Recommendation 3 That the City of Santa Maria complete the installation of the cameras. Finding 4 Not all Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Custody Deputies have been trained in the use of various restraint systems being used by different agencies throughout the County. Recommendation 4 That all Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Custody Deputies receive training in various restraint systems used by different agencies throughout the County. REQUEST FOR RESPONSE Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 933 and 933.05, the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury requests each entity or individual named below to respond to the enumerated findings and recommendations within the specified statutory time limit: Responses to Findings shall be either:  Agree  Disagree wholly  Disagree partially with an explanation Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury 9 DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT  Has been implemented, with brief summary of implementation actions taken  Will be implemented, with an implementation schedule  Requires further analysis, with analysis completion date of no more than six months after the issuance of the report  Will not be implemented, with an explanation of why Santa Barbara County Sheriff – 60 days Findings 1, 2, and 4 Recommendations 1, 2, and 4 Santa Maria City Council – 90 days Finding 3 Recommendation 3 Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors – Informational Copy – No Response Required 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury 10

Observations 1

• OB1
  Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Custody Facilities Santa Barbara County Main Jail The Main Jail, originally built in 1971, has been described as old, antiquated and overcrowded. It is rated for 659 inmates, and the Medium Security Facility is rated for an additional 160 inmates. The average population at the jail tends to be over 1,100. At the time of the Jury’s inspection, there were 803 inmates in the Main Jail and 234 in the Medium Security Facility. The Jury learned from a custody officer that “…the current population has been distilled to just high risk inmates.…” The cost to house an inmate for one year was approximately $42,107.82 as of March 14, 2017. Currently, the complex is 45 custody officers short of the 913 considered adequate for the current Main Jail inmate population (24/7, 365 day operations). Ten new deputies have been hired and there are 15 currently at the Academy. The Jury was told that there is difficulty in recruiting custody deputies. Although the facility continues to be overcrowded, it was found to be clean. In the South Dorm, where the disabled inmates and those with chronic medical issues are housed, there were beds on the floor. Custody officers told Jurors that some of the inmates want their beds on the floor. There are four safety cells, and two step-down cells, for temporary confinement of inmates that are suicidal or violent. There is video monitoring of the entire facility, though the older section built in 1971 only has cameras in the hallways. The safety cells have video monitoring as well as physical monitoring four times an hour. During the course of inspection, the Jury learned that not all custody deputies have been trained in the use of various restraint systems used by different agencies throughout the County. All custody personnel need to be trained in safe use of all types of restraints. 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury 2 DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Substations: Santa Maria This facility has five cells, one safety cell, and two isolation cells for a capacity of 35 beds. It is closed on weekends, so an arresting officer must transport the arrestee to the Main Jail in Santa Barbara. The facility appeared to be well maintained, but is old and worn. Due to a shortage of staff there was mandated overtime at the time of inspection for all custody deputies. During the inspection of the facility, it was reported to the Jury that the patrol deputies who work out of this substation have dead spots in their radio coverage, which is a concern to the Jury because of deputy and public safety. Santa Maria Substation Carpinteria This substation is located adjacent to the City Hall, which was the previous Carpinteria City Police Department. There are two holding cells with solid core wood doors. The cells were clean. Arrestees are held there only while paperwork is completed and then taken to the Main Jail. The deputies act as the city police and patrol the surrounding areas. There are three to five deputies and one supervisor assigned, depending on vacancies. Sheriff’s Deputies interviewed explained to the Jury that department radios have many reception dead spots in their patrol area. This is a concern to the Jury because of deputy and public safety. Carpinteria Substation Isla Vista Foot Patrol This facility, built in 2008, has 16 deputies and two office staff. The University of California at Santa Barbara supplies seven officers. There are two holding cells. Arrestees are only held there 15-20 minutes before being transported to the Main Jail. The cells and hallways have cameras. 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury 3 DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT New Cuyama In New Cuyama, there is a single jail cell which was clean and adequate for the minimal holds they have. For access to water in the cell, a pump must be turned on for the sink and toilet to function. Even then, there is not enough pressure to the faucet to produce more than a dribble. Since this area is so remote, radio reception is almost nonexistent. It frequently takes an hour for backup to arrive when needed. Two deputies are assigned to the facility. Sheriff’s Deputies interviewed confirmed to the Jury that department radios have many reception dead spots in their patrol area. This is a concern to the Jury because of deputy and public safety. New Cuyama Substation Solvang This holding facility has one cell which is used until an arrestee can be transported to the Main Jail. A second interview room is available which can be used as a cell if necessary. There is no camera within the cell; however, the interior is visible from the office. The cell appeared well maintained. The deputies act as the city police and patrol the surrounding areas. It was reported to the Jury that frequently the deputies’ radios do not work in certain portions of the valley, which hampers service and safety. In 2014, the Chumash tribe initially funded five deputies, their salaries and benefits, and supplied one patrol car, at a cost of $849,000 annually. The deputies patrol the reservation but are available to respond to calls from the Santa Ynez Valley. In 2016, a new contract with the Chumash provided an additional two deputies, one patrol deputy and one community resource deputy, and provided two more patrol cars. This agreement will cost the tribe an additional $357,000 annually. This partnership augments the Solvang Substation’s capabilities and saves the County much needed money. Lompoc Valley This is the newest substation in the County. There are two interview/holding rooms that are secure, clean and in good condition. Both rooms have cameras. The Sheriff maintains an office in this facility. There are no staff shortages. There are two deputies assigned per shift. Lompoc Valley Substation 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury 4 DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT Court Holding Facilities Lompoc This facility, built in 1999, is located adjacent to the Lompoc Courthouse. There are five cells with solid steel doors for male/female separation and co-defendants on the same cases. The cells were clean and used for a minimal hold time for court use only. There are three deputies, two full-time and one part- time. Santa Barbara This facility, which was built in 1988, has eight holding cells, four isolation cells and four single person cages used for arrestees awaiting for their court appearances and transportation back to the Main Jail. The area was clean, but the space is inadequate for the over 85 arrestees and staff present at the time of inspection. It was noted that there were cameras in all areas. There are five custody deputies assigned to this facility. Santa Maria In this facility, which was built in 1989, there are 12 holding cells, four temporary cells and three private conversation booths. Fifty to sixty arrestees can be held here while waiting for their court appearances and transportation back to the Main Jail. The facility is authorized for 20 deputies, but is currently understaffed by two. The facility was well maintained and in good condition. Santa Barbara County Probation Department: La Posada Juvenile Hall Monday through Friday, juveniles are brought to this facility from the Susan J. Gionfriddo Juvenile Justice Center for court appearances in Santa Barbara. They are then transported back to the Susan Gionfriddo Juvenile Justice Center. Although the building needs updating, it was found to be clean and well maintained. 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury 5 DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT Susan J. Gionfriddo Juvenile Justice Center This facility opened in 2005, expanding the county’s capacity for juvenile offenders. It is a maximum-security facility for both males and females, ranging from 12 to 18 years of age. Juvenile Court places the wards of the court here for varying lengths of time. There are six housing units rated for 120 boys and girls. This facility is a well-run and well-maintained. It was sufficiently staffed for the population of 64 at the time of the Jury’s visit. The Santa Barbara County Education Office ensures continuing education is provided for the wards through the Camino Segundo School, which is held on- Susan J. Gionfriddo Juvenile Justice site. Center Los Prietos Boys Camp The Los Prietos Boys Camp is a residential correctional /treatment facility for 13 to 18-year-old male wards of the Juvenile Court. Los Robles High School, run by the Santa Barbara County Education Office, ensures the wards of the court receive continuing education. There were 52 wards there at the time of the Jury’s visit. The facility is located on 17 acres in the Los Padres National Forest. It is clean, well maintained, and adequately staffed. Los Prietos Boys Camp Municipal Jails/Holding Facilities City of Lompoc Police Department There are seven cells with solid steel doors at this facility, which opened in 1959. The cells were clean. There is a maximum arrestee hold time of 96 hours. Three full-time staff are on shift for the daytime and one full-time at night. The capacity is 19 arrestees. When a female is arrested, a female dispatcher must be pulled from her duties to search the arrestee. The building is older, but clean, well maintained, and has a video system in place. Lompoc Police Department 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury 6 DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT City of Santa Barbara Police Department The facility was built in 1958. There are two holding cells which appeared clean and well maintained at the time of inspection. The cells are only used during the booking process before the arrestee is transported to the Main Jail. City of Santa Maria Police Department Santa Barbara Police Department This facility can house up to 28 inmates. Last year’s Jury noted that there were no operational surveillance cameras inside the facility. It was observed by this year’s Jury that there is still no permanent camera surveillance. The holding area has four interview rooms and one restroom. There is a four-hour maximum hold before the arrestee is transported to the County substation or Main Jail. Everything was clean and well maintained. Santa Maria has a state-of-the-art 700 MHz radio system, which has the capacity to include multiple county agencies and the ability to communicate with all emergency agencies in the State of California. Santa Maria Police Department City of Guadalupe Police Department At this facility they only book and transport arrestees. There is one interview room with a bench where arrestees are secured while being processed. There are security cameras throughout the department. During the visit the Jury learned that its radios also have many reception dead spots in the patrol area. This is a concern to the Jury because of officer and public safety. The Guadalupe Police Department currently purchases its radio bandwidth from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. Guadalupe City Hall and Police Department 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury 7 DETENTION FACILITIES REPORT Coroner’s Bureau This facility was built in 1984 and has had evidence stored there since 1976. A new ventilation system and remodel of the autopsy suite is scheduled to begin construction in April 2017. The facility is clean and fully staffed. Santa Barbara Sobering Center Coroner’s Office The City of Santa Barbara funds a Sobering Center through its police department. The Santa Barbara Police are the only ones authorized to bring people to the Center, although inebriated clients may walk in to “sleep it off.” Thresholds to Recovery, a nonprofit organization, has run the Center for 23 years. There is one staff member per shift, with a total of seven staff working eight hour shifts, all earning minimum wage. All staff are trained in CPR, and many are drug and alcohol counselors. There is capacity for five to six to sleep on pads on the floor of a small room. The usual stay time at the Sobering Center is approximately four to six hours. By staying at the Sobering Center clients avoid arrest and the City of Santa Barbara avoids booking expenses.

Agency Responses 2

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.