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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
• 2023-2024
Envisioning the Future of our Jails
⚠️ 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
Page 141
Permanent mandatory overtime for Corrections Officers has a negative effect on them that leads to high turnover, and the need to hire more COs and train them, which is inefficient and demoralizing for the Sheriff’s Office.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 142
In the next budget cycle the Board of Supervisors should allocate more funding to the Sheriff’s Office to be used to increase Correctional Officer pay, and/or give out increased hiring or retention bonuses as the Sheriff’s Office determines. (F1)
F2
Page 141
Overcrowding at the Main Jail would be alleviated if the Blaine Street Women’s Jail and the second unit at Rountree could be reopened.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
Page 142
The Blaine Street Women’s Jail should be reopened as soon as practical, but definitely before the end of 2023. (The reopening is imminent and will occur mid May 2023) (F2 – F4)
R3
Page 142
After Blaine Street, the second unit at Rountree should be reopened as soon as sufficient staffing is available, and preferably (F2, F4, F5)
F3
Page 141
Keeping women who do not need to be in a high security facility in the Main Jail is clearly detrimental to their mental health, and to their chances of staying out of jail once released. Envisioning the Future of our Jails published May 25, 2023 134 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 142
The Blaine Street Women’s Jail should be reopened as soon as practical, but definitely before the end of 2023. (The reopening is imminent and will occur mid May 2023) (F2 – F4)
F4
Page 142
Reopening Blaine Street and the second unit at Rountree would give the Sheriff’s Office much more scope to balance the jail population between the three facilities, and would allow some inmates from the Main Jail to move to Rountree and take advantage of the programming available there.
Related Recommendations (3)
R2
Page 142
The Blaine Street Women’s Jail should be reopened as soon as practical, but definitely before the end of 2023. (The reopening is imminent and will occur mid May 2023) (F2 – F4)
R3
Page 142
After Blaine Street, the second unit at Rountree should be reopened as soon as sufficient staffing is available, and preferably (F2, F4, F5)
R7
Page 143
The Sheriff’s Office should commission a study to determine the most effective use of the three jails and any modifications to existing facilities needed to house the expected jail population into the future. This study should be completed (F4, F9, F10)
F5
Page 142
Lack of programming at the Main Jail is bad for inmate welfare, both their mental health while on the inside, and their ability to stay out of the criminal justice system once released.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 142
After Blaine Street, the second unit at Rountree should be reopened as soon as sufficient staffing is available, and preferably (F2, F4, F5)
F6
Page 142
Programs such as those run by the Public Defender’s Office and CAFES that reduce recidivism are effective because they give former inmates the mental health and/or substance abuse treatments they need, as well as case management and supportive housing.
Related Recommendations (2)
R4
Page 142
Programming at the Main Jail, both that intended to stimulate and entertain inmates, and that intended to provide them with skills for life on the outside, should be restarted as soon as practical and as Covid restrictions allow. (F6)
R6
Page 142
In the next budget cycle, County Behavioral Health should be funded to adequately treat released inmates with mental illness, including supportive housing where necessary. (F6 – F9) Envisioning the Future of our Jails published May 25, 2023 2022-2023 Consolidated Final Report with Responses 135
F7
Page 142
Lack of continuing care for released inmates, most especially those with mental illness, SUD and/or who will be homeless after release, significantly contributes to recidivism, which then contributes to the need for a new jail.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
Page 142
The Public Defender’s Office should receive funding in the next budget cycle to provide adequate anti recidivism programs. (F7 – F9)
R6
Page 142
In the next budget cycle, County Behavioral Health should be funded to adequately treat released inmates with mental illness, including supportive housing where necessary. (F6 – F9) Envisioning the Future of our Jails published May 25, 2023 2022-2023 Consolidated Final Report with Responses 135
F8
Page 142
Some continuing care does exist, but is massively underfunded, especially for former inmates who need supportive housing.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
Page 142
The Public Defender’s Office should receive funding in the next budget cycle to provide adequate anti recidivism programs. (F7 – F9)
R6
Page 142
In the next budget cycle, County Behavioral Health should be funded to adequately treat released inmates with mental illness, including supportive housing where necessary. (F6 – F9) Envisioning the Future of our Jails published May 25, 2023 2022-2023 Consolidated Final Report with Responses 135
F9
Page 142
The Main Jail is old, has been overcrowded, and does not meet current requirements for incarceration.
Related Recommendations (3)
R5
Page 142
The Public Defender’s Office should receive funding in the next budget cycle to provide adequate anti recidivism programs. (F7 – F9)
R6
Page 142
In the next budget cycle, County Behavioral Health should be funded to adequately treat released inmates with mental illness, including supportive housing where necessary. (F6 – F9) Envisioning the Future of our Jails published May 25, 2023 2022-2023 Consolidated Final Report with Responses 135
R7
Page 143
The Sheriff’s Office should commission a study to determine the most effective use of the three jails and any modifications to existing facilities needed to house the expected jail population into the future. This study should be completed (F4, F9, F10)
F10
Page 142
The Main Jail might be adequate for incarcerating inmates who need to be in a high security facility, providing it can be renovated to meet current incarceration requirements for a much reduced population.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Page 143
The Sheriff’s Office should commission a study to determine the most effective use of the three jails and any modifications to existing facilities needed to house the expected jail population into the future. This study should be completed (F4, F9, F10)
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.