20 responses to findings and recommendations
F01
It cannot be determined which inmate programs should be expanded and which should be discontinued.
Response: Disagree
The Sheriff's Department disagrees with this finding. Metrics have been established and incorporated into the Offender 360 software.
F02
The Sheriff’s Department has difficulty producing unified, comprehensive statistics on recidivism. Fact: Inmates at most facilities have no access to shoes appropriate for exercise. Fact: Exercising in plastic, backless sandals is extremely difficult and increases the potential for physical injury.
Response: Unknown
This recommendation requires further analysis. The difficulty in establishing a consensus definition is there are many definitions of recidivism, which makes statewide comparisons between counties difficult to obtain. Currently, we are able to provide statistical information regarding returns to custody, which is one measure of recidivism. SANDAG is currently conducting an AB109 evaluation examining different ways to measure recidivism from various points of contact with the criminal justice system (technical violations, filings, convictions, and
Page 3 of 6 returns to custody). Based on thei...
F03
Inmates need access to appropriate shoes in order to maintain health and well-being. Fact: Inmates perform several jobs in the jails; their pay is fixed at $.50 per day.
Response: Unknown
The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. The sandals currently issued to all inmates are acceptable for the recreational activities offered within our jails. In the past, athletic shoes were sold through commissary. However, for safety and security reasons athletic shoes were removed from most of the inmate population. Assault and thefts related to footwear became such a problem the department had to restrict athletic shoes to inmate workers and those with a medical condition. Inmate workers are allowed to wear athletic shoes for work. Additionally, based on ind...
F04
Inmates have no financial incentive to learn or perform more challenging and complex jobs. Fact: Visits at male facilities are non-contact, excluding court ordered visits with children. Fact: Visits with adult family and friends are limited to thirty minutes twice weekly at all facilities.
Response: Agree
The Sheriff's Department agrees with this finding.
F05
Policies and procedures for family visits are too restrictive and counterproductive to rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Fact: Other than HiSet, the Sheriff’s Department offers no educational opportunities to inmates.
Response: Unknown
The recommendation for expanding contact visits will not be implemented. Those who qualify currently have contact visits. Weekly visitation times meet Title 15 standards; increasing these times would require expanding the facility visit areas, which is cost prohibitive. We have expanded visitation blocks for those participating in our incentive based housing units. As mentioned, Facility 8 and the new Las Colinas offer video visitation, which is a technology we have leveraged to provide families with greater opportunity to visit with their loved ones. Current policies and practices balance the...
F06
Computer-based educational programs exist that could be offered to inmates.
Response: Agree
The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. We agree there is a need to expand access to computers; however expanding access to all inmates is not a practical start point. Currently, we are expanding the number of computers available at our reentry facilities. As our resources grow, we plan to increase the number of inmates participating in computer based educational programs based on the needs of our population.
Page 6 of 6 In closing, I would like to thank the Grand Jury for their efforts in working with the Sheriff's Department through this investigation. If fu...
F07
The Probation Department cannot make evidence-based conclusions on which programs should be expanded or discontinued. Fact: The laundry facility at KMDF is old and has maintenance issues. Fact: There is an industrial-grade laundry facility at EMRF with unused capacity.
F08
The probation department should consider outsourcing laundry for the juvenile facilities. Fact: The number of incarcerated juveniles has decreased. Fact: KMDF, GRF and EMJDF have unused wings and beds.
F09
Closing a juvenile facility may be warranted. Fact: Many of the juveniles have no visits from family.
F10
Issues including distance to facilities make visiting juveniles difficult for some family members.
16-42
Establish metrics to evaluate programs offered to inmates and begin
This recommendation has been implemented. Metrics have been established and incorporated into the Offender 360 software. This will serve as the "technological glue" for all Community Correctional Partnership ("CCP") agencies, helping us to hold our operational realignment efforts together and inform us of progress and outcomes across the entire justice process. For the first time ever, we will be able to collect, share, and analyze holistic programming information to understand outcomes and measure the success of reentry services by offender, population and program agency. In doing so, the sol...
16-43
Make shoes appropriate for recreation and exercise available to all
Response: Will Not Implement
The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. The sandals currently issued to all inmates are acceptable for the recreational activities offered within our jails. In the past, athletic shoes were sold through commissary. However, for safety and security reasons athletic shoes were removed from most of the inmate population. Assault and thefts related to footwear became such a problem the department had to restrict athletic shoes to inmate workers and those with a medical condition. Inmate workers are allowed to wear athletic shoes for work. Additionally, based on ind...
16-44
Establish an hourly pay system that recognizes inmate effort and
Response: Requires Analysis
The 2015/2016 San Diego County Grand Jury recommends that the San Diego Sheriff's Department: Establish an hourly pay system that recognizes inmate effort and achievement (possibly modeled afier the California Department of Corrections tiered system). Response: The recommendation requires further analysis. Inmate worker wages are paid from the General Fund. The additional expenditures needed to support a tiered system paid out of the General Fund is not within the current budget. Currently Assembly Bill 2012 is before the legislature. If passed, it will give the San Diego County Board of Super...
16-45
Establish a consensus definition of recidivism in order to begin
Response: Requires Analysis
This recommendation requires further analysis. The difficulty in establishing a consensus definition is there are many definitions of recidivism, which makes statewide comparisons between counties difficult to obtain. Currently, we are able to provide statistical information regarding returns to custody, which is one measure of recidivism. SANDAG is currently conducting an AB109 evaluation examining different ways to measure recidivism from various points of contact with the criminal justice system (technical violations, filings, convictions, and
Page 3 of 6 returns to custody). Based on thei...
16-46
Revise policies and procedures for visitation with inmates. Initiate
Response: Will Not Implement
The recommendation for expanding contact visits will not be implemented. Those who qualify currently have contact visits. Weekly visitation times meet Title 15 standards; increasing these times would require expanding the facility visit areas, which is cost prohibitive. We have expanded visitation blocks for those participating in our incentive based housing units. As mentioned, Facility 8 and the new Las Colinas offer video visitation, which is a technology we have leveraged to provide families with greater opportunity to visit with their loved ones. Current policies and practices balance the...
16-47
Allow all inmates access to computer-based educational and training
Response: Will Not Implement
The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. We agree there is a need to expand access to computers; however expanding access to all inmates is not a practical start point. Currently, we are expanding the number of computers available at our reentry facilities. As our resources grow, we plan to increase the number of inmates participating in computer based educational programs based on the needs of our population.
Page 6 of 6 In closing, I would like to thank the Grand Jury for their efforts in working with the Sheriff's Department through this investigation. If fu...
16-48
Establish metrics to evaluate programs and then initiate evaluations.
16-49
Pursue an agreement with EMRF for most juvenile facility laundry
16-50
Develop a long-range plan to determine the feasibility and advisability
16-51
<b>Evaluate the options for establishing video visitation equipment</b>
