The Jailhouse Rocks Main Adult Detention Facility Inspection by Law and Justice Committee

Conclusions 1

• CL1 Page 1
  Our jail does a good job doing jobs a jail is not designed to do. While the Grand Jury anticipated that the Detention Division would oversee MADF competently, we were pleased how well it appears to be meeting the challenges of its outsized role. The decrease in inmate complaints over the last two years, while not fully understood, may indirectly reflect how well the Sheriff s Office is providing these additional medical and social services. Wellpath appears to be delivering medical, dental, mental health and substance abuse care at levels at least equal to those formerly provided by DHS. Several areas, most notably dental care and the Jail Based Competency Restoration program, show distinct improvements. The new dedicated mental health unit, projected for completion in2020, will allow the jail to go further in providing specialized care to individuals who would struggle in a general correctional population. The Sherifls Office has shown commitment to education through the steady improvement in the range of courses and leaming opportunities. The adoption of Five Keys, a provider that understands the unique challenges of the correctional environment, should further enhance opportunities. The Grand Jury was impressed with the professionalism and dedication of those working at the jails, both managerial as well as line staff. For example, when the dental clinic was closed for remodeling, the dentist and her assistant responded by creating a dental hygiene program which they taught to the inmates. Whether speaking with staff in their work areas, or formally interviewing managers, the Grand Jury found people were enthusiastic about sharing their accomplishments and forthcoming in identifying remaining challenges. They were, on the whole, positive and proud of their contributions to improving MADF. Many made clear their commitment to working in the detention environment. While most of the challenges identified in this report have been adequately met, some concerns were identified. 10 a Many sources told us that additional nurse hours dedicated to the booking area would significantly streamline the booking process during the evening and night shifts. a Sonoma County Public Health desires a tighter working relationship with Wellpath to inuease screenings for STDs (especially syphilis), to improve the hand-off process for inmates with reportable cases, and to initiate a comprehensive vaccination program. a Wellpath's practice of changing successful HIV/AIDs medication regimens on admission is problematic. Two outside sources asserted that changing the drug protocols of HIV/AIDS patients on admission was driven by cost containment at the expense of therapeutic considerations. a Theiail's current practice of routinely stopping all support medication for opioid addicts should be examined. This practice was questioned by at least two sources and deserves reassessment. a Wellpath's reliance on Moral Reconation Therapy as the core of its therapy and substance abuse treatment is perhaps outdated. A few outside sources told us that Cognitive Behavior Therapy is more effective and addresses a wider range of therapeutic goals.

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.