Nevada County Grand Jury
• 2006-2007
Correctional and Other Facilities Under Jurisdiction of Nevada County Sheriff Reason for Investigation California Penal
⚠️ 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 10 findings
F1
WBCF was opened in 1992 and currently has a total capacity of 250 beds.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Again, the Grand Jury recommends additional security cameras be installed, particularly in public areas.
F2
At the time of inspection, August 31, 2006, the average daily population was 185. There were 26 female inmates but only 16 beds available in the female section.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
For safety and efficiency, the Grand Jury renews its recommendation that arraignments be conducted utilizing available video equipment.
F3
Space limitations, current inmate classification requirements, and the dramatic increase in female population necessitates some females being housed in the minimum-security dormitory-style wing, and sharing a recreation room area with male inmates.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The County should consider locating a courtroom inside WBCF. Sheriff’s Substation at Truckee
F4
All inmates are assigned to housing units and activities using California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 15 Classification Plan. Classification is based on gender, age, criminal sophistication, seriousness of crime charged, physical or mental health needs, assaultive/non-assaultive behavior and other criteria, which provides for safety of inmates and staff.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The hallway is not always cleared of people when inmates are moved to the courtrooms, exposing the public, inmates, and deputies to risk. This finding was also reported in the 1998-1999 and 2001-2002 Grand Jury Reports. Partially agree. The hallways are cleared as best we can. Safety and security ofthe public, staff, and inmates are our highest priority. We could find no mention ofthe hallways not being cleared in the Grand Jury Court Holding Facility Reports for 1998-1999, or 2001-2002. There was mention ofthere being no surveillance cameras in the hallway areas in those reports.
F5
Inmates are assigned housing based on available number of distinct housing units or cells in the facility. 1 | P a g e
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
There are few security cameras in the public areas where deputies escort inmates to the courtrooms and do not cover the entire area. There is wiring for cameras in many locations, but the cameras have been removed. This finding was also reported in the 1998-1999 and 2001-2002 Grand Jury Reports. Disagree. There are no cameras in the public areas ofthe Courthouse. The wiring spoken ofis in the secure area ofthe old jail. The cameras were removed when the jail was vacated.
F6
WBCF was built with expansion in mind. Land, facilities, plumbing and power hookups are in place to expand capacity to 450 inmates.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
All doors are alarmed but not all can be viewed by a security camera. This finding was also reported in 1998-1999 and 2001-2002 Grand Jury Reports. Partially agree. The doors are alarmed. No exterior doors have security cameras viewing them.
F7
Option One - “new female housing unit with new centralized visitor center”; Option Two - “new male housing unit with new centralized visitor center”; and Option Three - “remodel only, add housing units inside the existing jail.” 9. In 2006 4,216 inmates, 3,458 male and 758 female, were transported between WBCF and the courthouse. Another 405 inmates were transported to the courts in Truckee. 10. There is a closed circuit video system installed linking WBCF to the courts in Truckee and Nevada City but it is not utilized. CONCLUSIONS 1. The available housing units prevent complete segregation of male and female inmates. 2. Current proximity of male and female inmates in the minimum-security area creates a serious risk of liability to the county. 3. Option One under the Needs Assessment “new female housing unit with new centralized visitor center” would give WBCF a total of 259 male beds and 84 female beds which would meet the primary need noted in Finding 7.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
To avoid transporting prisoners a closed circuit video system is in place, linking the Nevada City and Truckee courts to WBCF. Partially agree. H:ISUPERVISORS STAFFIBOARD SUPPORnGrand JurylGJ06071Correctional Fac-BOS Responses.DOC of5 09/11/07 The system is used between the Truckee court and WBCF but not between the Nevada City courts and WBCF.
F8
The Needs Assessment offered three options to address the primary need noted in Finding 7: Option One - “new female housing unit with new centralized visitor center”; Option Two - “new male housing unit with new centralized visitor center”; and Option Three - “remodel only, add housing units inside the existing jail.”
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The closed circuit video system is not utilized. Agree.
F9
In 2006 4,216 inmates, 3,458 male and 758 female, were transported between WBCF and the courthouse. Another 405 inmates were transported to the courts in Truckee.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
In 2006, 4,216 inmates were transported from WBCF to the courthouse holding cells. Agree.
F10
There is a closed circuit video system installed linking WBCF to the courts in Truckee and Nevada City but it is not utilized. CONCLUSIONS
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
A finding in the 2001-2002 Grand Jury Report stated, "Nevada County is one of the few counties in California that does not have a courtroom inside their correctional facility." Both the Sheriff and the Board of Supervisors (BOS) agreed to the finding but stated, "...a closed circuit video system for arraignment has been installed at WBCF." Partially disagree. A survey of California counties on this topic generated twenty-one responses. Of those responding, only two counties, Merced and Sacramento, have courtrooms in their adult correctional facilities. In the counties surveyed, it was more often the case for counties to have a courtroom in their juvenile hall facility. Many ofthe counties surveyed use video arraignment to reduce the number of transports to the courthouse. The counties who responded were Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Kern, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba. B. RESPONSES TO RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions 7
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CL1 Page 2The available housing units prevent complete segregation of male and female inmates.
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CL2 Page 2Current proximity of male and female inmates in the minimum-security area creates a serious risk of liability to the county.
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CL3 Page 2Option One under the Needs Assessment “new female housing unit with new centralized visitor center” would give WBCF a total of 259 male beds and 84 female beds which would meet the primary need noted in Finding 7.
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CL4 Page 3The Grand Jury has repeatedly called attention to the lack of security within the Nevada County Courthouse, and the BOS and the Sheriff have repeatedly promised to address these problems without result. This inaction does not well serve the public or the inmates.
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CL5 Page 3It is irresponsible for the County to move inmates through crowded public hallways. Continuing this practice places inmates, the public, and law enforcement personnel in harm’s way and exposes the taxpayers of Nevada County to potential liability.
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CL6 Page 3Furthermore, labor, vehicle maintenance, and fuel expenses could be significantly reduced if the courts made better use of video arraignment equipment available to them. 3 | P a g e
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CL7 Page 8"The Grand Jury has repeatedly called attention to the lack of security within the Nevada County Courthouse, and the BOS and the Sheriff have repeatedly promised to address these problems without result. This inaction does not well serve the public or the inmates." Disagree. Over the past 8-10 years, Courthouse security has been increased by: a. Addition of security screening and key pad entry to the underground parking. b. Addition of security cameras to the sallyport area where inmates are brought into the facility. c. Addition of security cards and keypad entry mechanisms to all but the main entrance. d. Staffed security screening at the main entrance including metal detection and x-ray equipment. e. Courts contracting with the Sheriff for provision of a Sheriff's Sergeant and Deputy Sheriff to provide roving security inside the Courthouse. Letter to Judge Tamietti August 13, 2007 Page 5
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Nevada County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
Nevada County Sheriff
Elected County Office