Nevada County Grand Jury
• 2017-2018
• Agency Response
Response to:
Detention Facility Inspection Report
Detention Facility Inspection Report
⚠️ 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 3 findings
F1
The written policies and procedures of the Sheriff's Office concerning the lnmate Welfare Fund are not being followed. Disagree The Sheriff's Office disagrees with this finding as it is misleading. The Grand Jury reports, "section B of Directive #64 sets forth "Staff Duties" for a Facility Support Lieutenant, an Accounting Assistant, and a Program Manager. Currently, the "Staff Duties" provisions of Directive #64 are not followed. lt appears that the listed duties are carried out but not by the staff designated in Directive #64". The Sheriff's Office does not have an employee on NEVA M D A A I N C O IT F Y F , IC C E A : 9 9 5 5 0 95 M 9 A (5 I 3 D 0 U ) 2 A 6 V 5 E -1471 NE A V N A I D M A A L C C IT O Y N , T C R A O 9 L 5 : 9 9 5 5 9 0 ( 5 M 3 A 0 I ) D 2 U 6 5 A -1 V 4 E 71 NEVA C D O A R C R | E TY .T , IO C N A S 9 : 59 P 5 .O 9 . (s B s o o x ) 2 9 6 2 5 8 -1291 T T R R U U C C K KE E E E , : , C 08 A 7 9 9 6 1 D 6 O 1 N ( N 5 E 3 R 0) P 58 A 2 S - S 78 R 3 D 8 Grand Jury Response June22.2018 staff under the job classification of "Program Manager" and has not for numerous years. Howevei, the Sheriff's Office does have staff overseeing and managing the programs offered inside the Jail, as well as commissary services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office should comply with the regulations that it has established for the administration of the lnmate Welfare Fund at the Wayne Brown Correctional FacilitY. Grand Jury Response June 22.2018 This recommendation will not be implemented. See the Sheriff's Office response for "R2".
F2
The County continues to spend upwards of S2,000,000 on Juvenile Hall that could be saved by placing juvenile detainees in juvenile halls in other counties. Agree B. RESPONSES TO RECOMMENDATIONS
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Alternatively, the Nevada County Sheriff's Office should draft new regulations that describe procedures that actually are being followed in connection with the administration of the lnmate Welfare Fund. This recommendation will not be implemented as proposed by the Grand Jury. There is no need to "draft new regulations". However, the current policy has been revised with minor changes to reflect our current staffing.
F3
The air quality in the administrative and holding cell area at the Nevada County Courthouse Holding Facility in Nevada City is poor. Disagree The Sheriff's Office disagrees with the Grand Jury findings because it appears to be based on inaccurate and/or incomplete information. Per the Grand Jury, "Moreover, no one knew if or when maintenance had been performed on the ventilation system." lt can't be discerned who "no one" rs. lf the Grand Jury is referring to Court Holding Staff, then there's a very small likely hood they would be familiar with the maintenance scheduie of the ventilation system. However, by simple inquiry, the Sheriff's Office has learned that County Maintenance inspects the system and changes out the filters on a quarterly basis. They have also responded to off cycle maintenance requests. Neither County Maintenance nor Environmental Health are aware of any air quality complaints by staff at Court Holding. Per the Grand Jury, "During our visit, two members of the Jury were affected by the quality of the air.;' This statement is too vague to be of use. ln speaking with Environmental Health, they would have expected more information regarding the symptomology of how the two Jury members were affected, approximately eight (B) months ago.-Environmental Health did respond to Couft Holding on May 16,2018 to test thJ air for any chemical contaminants and subsequently reported negative findings. To date, the Sheriff's Office has not received any complaints from staff as to the quality of the air at Court Holding. per the Grand Jury, "The age of the building also causes concern about the existence of asbestos possibly being used in its construction. lf so, it creates a health hazardto the lungs of everyone who enters the building, and especially those who remain in it for a prolonged period." The Grand Jury presents no factual information in its report that asbestos actually exists, only the possibility drawn from speculation, presumably "due to the age of the building"? During the Sheriff's Office investigation, *e found that if in fact asbestos does exist, the health hazard under the circumstances is remote to non-existent. Per Nevada County Environmental Health, asbestos presents no health hazard to the lungs of anyone unless it is disturbed and then becomes airborne.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors should undertake an urgent review of alternatives to the current use of Juvenile Hall to explore more cost-effective uses of the facility and to explore the placement of Nevada County juvenile detainees in juvenile halls in neighboring counties. The recommendation has already been implemented, in part. A county interdisciplinary workgroup has been established and is reviewing the use and cost of the juvenile hall facility. The workgroup includes Probation, Sheriff s Office, County Executive Office, County Counsel, Public Defender, Behavioral Health and Health and Human Services representatives. As this report notes, the facility was built utilizing Department of Justice (DOJ) funds and any change in use is subject to DOJ approval.