El Dorado County Grand Jury 2009-2010 Growlersburg Conservation Camp Georgetown

3,800 minimum security inmates; Three camps, all in Southern California, are for female inmates only. All of the

other camps are male only; The average term remaining of an inmate's sentence is two years. No inmate will

be sent to Growlersburg with a remaining term exceeding seven years; The average age of inmates is 30 years;

The average annual cost for inmates in a state prison is $38,000 - $48,000, whereas at Growlersburg the cost is $14,000 - $18,000. Keeping inmates at Growlersburg and the other camps produce a substantial savings for the State of California budget; Five firefighting strike teams, containing up to 17 inmates each, are maintained at

Growlersburg. Each strike team is managed by a CAL FIRE Captain. One strike team is always retained at the camp; Growlersburg is a staging area for other firefighting strike teams which may be

brought into this area when needed. The inmates receive extensive firefighting training. Included in this training is the proper use of equipment, including tools such as chain saws and the effective maintenance of motorized equipment. Other useful training is provided in woodworking, gardening, sawmill operations and cooking/baking. The Grand Jury noted the facility was well maintained. Several inmates were busy cleaning walkways and other exterior areas. Interior areas inspected were found to be neat and clean. The quality of food, some of which was grown on-site, was found to be excellent. The camp's facilities were generally in good repair, but some deterioration due to age was noted. The Grand Jury was informed that a remodel project has been approved, including funding, and should be completed in 2012 or 2013. The April 2009 Growlersburg Camp Management Survey was conducted jointly by senior representatives of CAL FIRE Northern Region and CDCR Camps Program. They reported that every item listed on the analysis work papers to be in partial or full compliance. The Growlersburg CC#33 Action Plan dated January 1, 2010 reported all outstanding action issues have been completed, including filling two CAL FIRE vacancies and correcting vehicle maintenance records.