Orange County Grand Jury
• 2020-2021
Grand Jury 2020-2021 a Look Behind the Bars of the Orange County Jail
⚠️ 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 11 findings
F1
There is a security risk at the Theo Lacy Facility where it is separated from the vacant Orange County Animal Shelter facility by a chain link fence.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Construct a wall consistent with the existing wall, securing the area of the Theo Lacy Facility adjacent to the vacant Orange County Animal Shelter by June 30, 2022. (F1)
F2
Security at the Attorney Bonds Entrance area at the Central Men’s Jail is inadequate to prevent trafficking of contraband through contact visits.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Install security booths and video surveillance cameras in the Attorney Bonds entrance at the Central Men’s Jail by June 30, 2022. (F2)
F3
The front desk at the main entrance of the Theo Lacy Facility does not provide enough separation between OCSD personnel and the general public.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Construct an eight-foot-tall plexiglass shield to maintain security at the front desk entrance of the Theo Lacy Facility by December 31, 2021. (F3)
F4
Lack of mandatory COVID testing for jail personnel creates a high risk of infection to inmates and others.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Require mandatory COVID testing for all OCSD Jail personnel, effective immediately. (F4)
F5
Due to the lack of trained OCSD personnel, the Intake and Release Center’s scanning device is not used consistently to prevent contraband from entering the facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
During the intake process at the Intake and Release Center all inmates should be subject to a full body scan to enhance security and reduce contraband coming into the jail, effective immediately. (F5)
F6
Orange County jail and detainee transportation systems lack computer integration with the Court holding facilities, creating a need for a hard copy trail of documents.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Implement integrated software that allows the Court’s holding facility to communicate electronically with Orange County jails and detainee transportation by June 30, 2022. (F6)
F7
AB-109 reimbursements do not cover actual costs for Orange County inmates.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Make all reasonable efforts to seek an increase in the daily bed rate for AB 109 inmates to cover OCSD actual costs by December 31, 2021. (F7) Orange County Health Care Agency/Correctional Health Services
F8
The Grand Jury has found the jails and facilities to be acceptable and in overall compliance with state and federal standards. Health Care Agency/Correctional Health Services
No recommendations for this finding
F9
CHS direct service staff have not received enough Crisis Intervention Training
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Train all direct service CHS staff in level 1 Crisis Intervention Training, effective immediately. (F9)
F10
Lack of mandatory COVID testing for CHS staff creates a high risk of infection to inmates and others.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Require mandatory COVID testing for all CHS jail personnel, effective immediately. (F10)
F11
CHS and BHS have not integrated their electronic records, thus delaying and limiting their ability to share inmate information.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Implement integrated software that allows communication and file sharing between CHS and BHS by June 30, 2022. (F11) RESPONSES The following excerpts from the California Penal Code provide the requirements for public agencies to respond to the Findings and Recommendations of this Grand Jury report: §933 (c) No later than 90 days after the grand jury submits a final report on the operations of any public agency subject to its reviewing authority, the governing body of the public agency shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the governing body, and every elected county officer or agency head for which the grand jury has responsibility pursuant to Section 914.1 shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court, with an information copy sent to the board of supervisors, on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of that county officer or agency head and any agency or agencies which that officer or agency head supervises or controls. In any city and county, the mayor shall also comment on the
Commendations 1
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CM1The Orange County Grand Jury of 2020-21 received full cooperation from all OCSD personnel at every facility visited. The OCSD allowed the OCGJ complete access to every area requested and provided extensive documents, pictures, and policies. Equally important, the OCGJ received cooperation from the CHS staff who also provided valuable information, documents, and access to all medical facilities within the jails. The OCGJ commends the OCSD for creating the Housing Unit for Military Veterans (HUMV). This unique modular unit allows veterans to receive special services and programs that assist the inmate in regaining positive skills for community re-entry. 2020-2021 Orange County Grand Jury Page 21 A Look Behind the Bars of the Orange County Jail The OCGJ commends the OCSD for establishing the Behavioral Health Bureau to address the mental health issues in the jail system and establishing Module K for women with mental health issues. The OCGJ commends the OCSD for being an instrumental partner in the Integrated Services Plan and for relocating the female inmate population from the Central Women’s Jail to a new unit at Theo Lacy which is more conducive to rehabilitation. Figure 6 - Housing Unit for Military Veteran Inmates at Theo Lacy Facility 2020-2021 Orange County Grand Jury Page 22 A Look Behind the Bars of the Orange County Jail A special thanks to Deputy Joe Devela for his dedication and respect to our incarcerated veterans by painting the murals in the HUMV. Figure 7 - Deputy Joe Devela 2020-2021 Orange County Grand Jury Page 23 A Look Behind the Bars of the Orange County Jail
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.