Trinity County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
2024 Deaths at the Trinity County Correctional Facility
⚠️ 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 7 findings
F2
The correctional officers' lack of medical training and an inability to make medical decisions contributed to the death of Mr. Garbutt while at the Trinity County Correctional Facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The 2024 Trinity County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) be included in the correctional officer training manual by June 1, 2025. 7
F3
The incorporation of the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) for use by correctional officers is a step in the right direction towards improved inmate health tracking.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The 2024 Trinity County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Trinity County Sheriff's Department develop a policy that when the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) is used, that vitals (blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and pulse oxygenation) are also recorded. This new policy is to be completed and implemented
F4
The lack of written guidelines and processes covering the use of the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS), who is responsible for reviewing the completed forms, and how long the forms are retained is an issue to be addressed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The 2024 Trinity County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Trinity County Sheriff's Department develop a written policy detailing when the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) is used, the frequency of the scale's use, the process of sharing the completed form with the appropriate parties (i.e. Medical Officer and contracted medical staff), and the retention period for completed scales. This new policy is to be completed and implemented before June 1, 2025.
F5
Low staffing levels and budgetary decisions have driven the use of overtime.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The 2024 Trinity County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Trinity County Sheriff's Department have an active, full-time, dedicated Jail Commander
F6
Because the roles of Jail Commander and Medical Officer are two separate, full-time positions, they need to be filled by two separate individuals.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The 2024 Trinity County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Trinity County Sheriff's Department have an active, full-time, dedicated, Medical Officer
F7
Based on excessive overtime hours, there are not enough correctional officers at the jail.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The 2024 Trinity County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Trinity County Sheriff's Department develop a policy of using a certified medical professional (i.e. medical assistant, registered nurse, physician's assistant, medical doctor) to be directly involved in handing out medications during at least one medical pass per 24 hours. This policy is to be completed and implemented
F8
Retention of correctional officers is key towards managing a reduction in overtime hours.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The 2024 Trinity County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Trinity County Sheriff's Department develop a policy requiring new correctional officers, as a condition of employment, have a current Red Cross CPR and First Aid certificate or the equivalent. New hires may be reimbursed for the cost of the training, along with mileage. This policy is to be completed and implemented
Additional Recommendations 3
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R1The 2024 Trinity County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Trinity County Sheriffs Department, in cooperation with the County Administrator's Office and the Board of Supervisors, develop a policy by June 1, 2025 that prioritizes the remediation of hazards at the Trinity County Correctional Facility when those issues are identified.
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R9The 2024 Trinity County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Trinity County Sheriff's Department look into the feasibility of using more annuitants (i.e. retired law enforcement) to fill open positions. The department is to report on the findings to the Board of Supervisors
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R10The 2024 Trinity County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Trinity County Sheriff's Department, in accordance with California Labor Code, develop a hiring agreement that seeks to recoup some of the training costs associated with sending new correctional officers to Core when those officers leave the Trinity County Sheriff's Department within one year of completing their Trinity County financed Core training. The hiring agreement template is to be created by June 1, 2025. 8
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Trinity County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
Trinity County Sheriff
Elected County Office