San Diego County Grand Jury • 2025-2026

San Diego County Detention Facilities Investigation

25 pages
View Original PDF

Findings and Recommendations 3 findings

F1
The current MOU requires that in-custody deaths in San Diego County detention facilities, except those resulting from use of force, be investigated separately by the Sheriff’s Office, which determines legal responsibility. The Medical Examiner identifies medicolegal cause and manner of death.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Equip the medical wards of the San Diego County Sheriff's Office detention facilities with more capable life-saving equipment and medications like those used by 9-1-1 first responders to improve response to critical emergencies.
F2
The best chance of an overall successful recovery of an unresponsive Incarcerated Persons depends on both medical responders and facility medical personnel being equipped with the most appropriate medical equipment for all critical situations. San Diego County Probation Department Fact: The California Attorney General's Office has received many complaints about systemic failures, which have led to oversight issues at the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility and the Youth Transition Campus. Fact: The San Diego County Probation Officers, who work in juvenile detention facilities, do not wear body-worn cameras.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Identify and evaluate strategies, including a review of the existing March 7, 2022, San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorandum of Understanding, to implement required independent investigations by outside agencies into in-custody deaths that occur within detention facilities. RECOMMENDATIONS for the San Diego County Probation Department:
F3
The lack of body-worn cameras in San Diego County juvenile detention facilities is detrimental to an effective juvenile detention operation. REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS The California Penal Code §933(c) requires any public agency which the Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to comment to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the agency. Such comment shall be made no later than 90 days after the Grand Jury publishes its report (filed with the Clerk of the Court); except that in the case of a report containing findings and recommendations pertaining to a department or agency headed by an elected County official (e.g. District Attorney, Sheriff, etc.), such comment shall be made within 60 days to the Presiding Judge with an information copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, California Penal Code §933.05(a), (b), (c), details, as follows, the manner in which such comment(s) are to be made: (a) As to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. (b) As to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. (c) If a finding or recommendation of the grand jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both the agency or department head and the Board of Supervisors shall respond if requested by the grand jury, but the response of the Board of Supervisors shall address only those budgetary or personnel matters over which it has some decision- making authority. The response of the elected agency or department head shall address all aspects of the findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or department. Comments to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in compliance with the Penal Code §933.05 are required from the: 18
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Equip all San Diego County Probation Officers, especially those in juvenile detention facilities, with body-worn cameras and create policies and procedures for their use.