Office of Martin A. Ryan Sheriff - Coroner Sheriff - Coroner Hern October 28, 2020 The Honorable Judge J.s. Hermanson*

- The Jail is 36 years old and was designed with a 20-year lifespan intended to house 76 inmates. Periodic updates and improvements have not kept up with the jail's increasing average daily population of 89 inmates. Response to Finding #1 – The Sheriff partially disagrees with the finding. While the age and limited size of the current jail has created problems with inmate classification and housing, programming, and storage of necessary supplies and equipment, the Amador County Jail continues to do exceptionally well in our biennial State inspections. The Board of State & Community Corrections (BSCC) is an independent statutory agency that promulgates regulations for adult and juvenile detention facilities, conducts regular inspections of those facilities, develops standards for the selection and training of local corrections and probation officers, and administers significant public safety-related SERVICE INTEGRITY TEAMWORK EXCELLENCE 700 COURT STREET • JACKSON, CA 95642 • (209) 223-6500 • FAX (209) 223-1609 ADMINISTRATION (209) 223-6515 • EMERGENCY SERVICES (209) 223-6384 • CIVIL (209) 223-6544 CORONER (209) 223-6754 • JAIL (209) 223-6522 grant funding. During their independent inspection of correctional facilities, BSCC representatives will document any areas in which a correctional facility is not in compliance with the provisions of Title 15 and Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Title 15 sets the minimum standards for local detention facilities to follow pertaining to matters including, but not limited to, training, inmate classification, medical and mental health care, nutrition, hygiene, and inmate programs and activities. Title 24 establishes minimum design and space standards for the physical buildings where inmates are held. During the Amador County Jail's most recent BSCC inspection the only area of non- compliance was in the use of a sobering cell for housing inmates with a high risk of having a medical emergency. The sobering cell is located in a high traffic area, adjacent to the jail's control room, where officers can more frequently directly observe the inmate's welfare. As the existing jail continues to age, and additional burdens are placed upon local correctional facilities with the long-term housing of inmates, significant consideration must be given on how best to spend funds to meet our county's future correctional obligations.

– The Jail is overcrowded and houses both male and female adults. Response to Finding #2 - The Sheriff agrees with the finding. The Amador County Jail's rated capacity of 76 is based upon all inmates sharing a cell. Due to classification and safety concerns, along with the prevalence of significant behavioral health issues in our modern inmate population, many inmates cannot safely cohabitate. This effectively reduces the number of inmates the jail can appropriately house below our actual rated capacity.

- Four correctional staff positions are unfilled despite recruitment efforts to fill them. Response to Finding #3 - The Sheriff agrees with this finding. The Amador County Jail continues to hold ongoing testing to fill vacancies for correctional officer positions. The pre-employment process consists of a BSCC designed written examination, oral interview, thorough background investigation, health screening, and psychological test. While the Amador County Jail needs to fill critical vacancies, we will not compromise our standards by hiring unqualified individuals to fill these positions of trust and responsibility.

– Use of the sobering cell is non-compliant with BSCC regulations, but alternatives are unavailable until the expansion project can be completed. Response to Finding #4 – The Sheriff agrees with this finding.

– Jail staff are professional and competent in their duties and responsibilities. Response to Finding #5 – The Sheriff agrees with this finding and thanks the members of the Grand Jury for recognizing the work being done by the correctional staff. GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATIONS: