Imperial County Juvenile Hall

Recommendations 3

• R1

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  Maximize the use of the Oren Fox Detention Facility, as allowed by the budget. REQUIRED RESPONSES: Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the grand jury requests responses from the following governing bodies : • Imperial County Jail: F1, R1 Please submit an official response to the Civil Grand Jury Foreperson, P.O. Box 2011, El Centro, CA, 92244 DISCLAIMER: Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. -43- 2018-2019 IMPERIAL COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Imperial County 2018-2019 Civil Grand Jury Imperial County Juvenile Hall ANNUAL INSPECTION JUSTIFICATION California State Law mandates that the Civil Grand Jury investigate and report on the state prisons and jail facilities each year, this mandate includes the Imperial County Juvenile Hall. -44- 2018-2019 IMPERIAL COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT BACKGROUND: The Imperial County Juvenile Hall (JH) operates under the authority of the Imperial County Probation Department. The JH serves as a care facility for detained minors. Those held by the JH are either awaiting a decision on their future or have been sentenced by the Imperial County Court to a one-year, or less, time period. JH is located directly behind the main building of the Imperial County Probation Department on Applestill Road, near the corner of McCabe and Clark Roads, in El Centro, California. Standards set by the Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations require one (1) staff member for every ten (10) minors in detention. Additional help is provided through outside programs, such as the Grandparent Volunteer Program. The average stay for Wards is 13 to 18 days. JH is committed to enhancing public safety through the reduction in the number of repeat offenders. This is done by motivating behavioral changes, while enforcing court orders and advocating for victims. METHODOLOGY: The Imperial County Civil Grand Jury (Grand Jury) conducted an inspection of the JH that included a tour of major areas, as well as staff interviews. They focused their inspection on the Facilities, Assessment and Evaluation, Incarceration, Performance Expectations, and Programs offered to the Wards of the JH. At the time of the Grand Jury inspection, there were 47 Wards in residence. DISCUSSION: Facilities The JH Facility consists of five (5) different dormitories, where Wards sleep, a central center, classrooms, a medical room, recreation areas, a cafeteria, and other offices used for services offered to Wards (e.g., counseling, social services interviews). Security features of the Facility include security cameras, electronic detection, and reinforced fencing. At the time of the inspection, only three dormitories were in use, including one used as a co-ed wing. The co-ed wing housed two female Wards, while the other occupants were male. Some walls of the dormitories were cracked or in need of repainting. Some showers had visible mildew growth. Medical & Food Service -45- 2018-2019 IMPERIAL COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Medical Services are provided at a nursing station, where a nurse is on-duty for four hours each day. A doctor can be called, or a Ward can be transported to a local hospital if more serious medical attention is warranted. On-call Behavioral Health Services are also available for assistance with mental health problems. Food is prepared for the Wards in a kitchen. It is then transported to the JH cafeteria, where it is kept at food-warming stations until served. The JH food facilities have passed inspections by State and County Departments. Assessment and Evaluation All new Juvenile Hall Court referred minors are given a pre-screen Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) Risk/Needs Assessment by the Probation Department. There are also Full-PACT Risk/Needs Assessments on all cases set for arrangement or deferred entry of judgment. In addition to the PACT Assessments, the intake process includes a Massachusetts Adolescent Youth Screening Instrument (MAYSI) assessment of their mental health, and the computerized Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (DRAI) evaluation, which is based on prior and current convictions and offenses. Individualized case plans are developed for minors and families based on their assessment of needs and strengths. When asked, JH staff acknowledge that they are in full compliance with Local, State, and Federal guidelines and compliant with Juvenile Correctional Standards. The Facility is routinely inspected by the Board of State Community Corrections. Incarceration Once minors are detained as Wards, staff members attend to discipline and security, personal hygiene, clean clothing and bedding, mental health and/or drug counseling, work programs, recreational exercise, and visitation with parents/guardians. Most Wards, after a short stay, go on to probation. The determination for probation is made by a Judge, based on the recommendations from the JH staff, as well as based on the Ward’s behavior and willingness to make appropriate changes in their lives. Performance Expectations Wards are assigned specific work responsibilities at the Facility. They are responsible for keeping their rooms clean. JH staff use a point rewards program to control behavior in a positive way. Wards are able to accumulate daily points based on behavior, attitude, work performance, grooming, manners, and room maintenance. Staff report there is an “Honors Wing” (separate housing area) to entice Wards to excel in all areas. The “Honors Wing” includes unique items -46- 2018-2019 IMPERIAL COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT only available to those with enough points. Points expire every week. Some of these items include different snacks (i.e., chips, granola bars, sports drinks), as well as higher-quality basic daily necessities, such as an extra pair of sandals or hair products. Programs Educational Programs There are two education classrooms at the JH. The teachers of these classrooms hold valid California Teaching Credentials. Computers are provided for school assignment preparation, but access to the Internet is limited due to potential security concerns. JH maintains compliance with California State Educational Standards and offers a High School Diploma Program or the General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Teachers try to maintain pace with what would be taught at their home schools, as Wards are typically in JH for a relatively short period of time. Schooling is provided for three and a half hours per day. Career outreach programs for Wards appeared limited. Grandparent Program The Grandparent Volunteer Program is led by three volunteers with over thirty years of experience volunteering with the JH. They are available to listen to Wards, assist in schoolwork, and help to replicate a more home-like environment. The volunteers indicate that their services help the Wards feel like they are not alone, and that they have someone to support them. Gardening Program Wards are able to help grow vegetables in a garden to better understand the natural order of plants and vegetables, as well as their growth cycle. It was reported that Wards benefit from the garden because they are able to do something for themselves and feel accomplished in seeing how the things they grow can be put to use. Vegetables grown include cherry tomatoes, carrots, and kale. Tai Chi Program A Tai Chi instructor provides classes to Wards, in order to “return balance” to their daily schedules. The class is designed to inspire a better mental and physical state of mind. Wards are able to learn methods to remain calm in difficult situations.
• R2

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  Walls and flooring with peeling paint, cracks, or mildew should be repaired.
• R3

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  Make use of all dormitories in order to enhance privacy and prevent unwanted behavior issues among Wards. REQUIRED RESPONSES: Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the grand jury requests responses from the following governing bodies : • Imperial Valley Juvenile Hall: R1, R2, R3 Please submit an official response to the Civil Grand Jury Foreperson, P.O. Box 2011, El Centro, CA, 92244 DISCLAIMER: Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. -48-