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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Los Angeles County Grand Jury
• 2016-2017
Make Invsetments that Transform Lives
⚠️ 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 28 findings
F1
Page 377
Pattern of inebriated inmates held in sobering cell beyond 6 hours without approval of watch commander or transfer to hospital
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 277
The BOS should retain a competent management and consulting firm to implement the 2009- 2010 CGJ recommendations to develop a county videoconferencing hub system that could be the platform for video arraignments and appearances. (Findings 1, 10, 19, 20, 21, 14, 21, 22)
F2
Page 377
Jail Log is handwritten, with confusing and unreadable entries
Related Recommendations (2)
R7
Page 278
The Sheriff should recommend the location of a courthouse adjacent to the new MCJ to be completed in 2024-2025. (Findings 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, 22)
R8
Page 278
The BOS should recommend the location of a courthouse adjacent to the new MCJ to be completed in 2024-2025. (Findings 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, 22)
F3
Page 377
Pattern of no female jailer(s) or matrons on duty to monitor inebriated female inmates
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Page 377
Jail Manual out of date
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Page 377
Plumbing problem in cell sink
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 278
The Sheriff should contract with an experienced and competent management consulting company familiar with Law and Justice practices to review the Sheriff’s data collection and management capabilities and its ability to produce a wide variety of management reports quickly. It should also examine means to improve the interface with the LA City and court systems. The review should recommend upgrades and replacement of existing data management programs as well as indicate the necessary time, material and staff resources to accomplish this improvement. (Findings 5, 6, 14)
F6
Page 377
Cameras removed in Cell Gallery and processing room
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Page 377
Improper and inadequate signage in jail holding area 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 345
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Page 378
No first aid kit in jail
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Page 378
No evidence of annual environmental inspections
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Page 378
Strong odor in jail area
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 278
The BOS should recommend the use of videoconferencing court appearances for the mentally ill, “No-Go” medical and physically handicapped inmates. (Findings 10, 22)
F11
Page 378
Porcelain toilets in cells
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Page 378
No privacy curtain in shower area
No recommendations for this finding
F13
Page 378
No padding in sobering cell
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Page 379
Visitor Reservation Kiosk in MCJ Main Lobby is frequently out of service
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Page 379
No defibrillators are in cell blocks. Crash Carts are used, sometimes with added 5-6 minute response delay.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Page 278
LAPD Chief of Police should implement Recommendation #4 of the 2009-2010 CGJ70 in order to facilitate the operation of a videoconferencing program with particular attention to ensuring privacy for defendant and attorney conferences. (Finding 15)
F16
Page 379
Courthouse was built in 1954 shows severe deterioration and is in need of replacement
Related Recommendations (3)
R5
Page 278
The Sheriff should renegotiate its contract with LAPD to not transport inmates without proof of a completed case filing with the court. (Findings 16, 17, 18)
R6
Page 278
The Los Angeles City Attorney should make sure that a case filing is complete before an arrestee is transported to court. (Findings 16, 17) 69 Orange County Court, Santa Ana, Interview with Bench, 3/13/17 266 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT
R10
Page 278
LAPD should expedite the discovery process for misdemeanor narcotic cases in order to participate in video arraignments. (Finding 16) VI REQUIRED RESPONSES California Penal Code Sections 933(c) and 933.05 require a written response to all recommendations contained in this report. Responses shall be made no later than ninety (90) days after the Civil Grand Jury publishes its report and files it with the Clerk of the Court. Responses shall be made in accord with Penal Code Sections 933.05 (a) and (b). All responses to the recommendations of the 2016-2017 Civil Grand Jury must be submitted on or before September 30, 2017, to: Presiding Judge Los Angeles County Superior Court Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 210 West Temple Street, Eleventh Floor-Room 11-506 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Responses are required from: Responding Agency Recommendations County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors 17.1, 17.4, 17.8 County of Los Angeles District Attorney 17.3 County of Los Angeles Sheriff 17.2, 17.5, 17.7 City Attorney, Los Angeles 17.6 Los Angeles City Chief of Police 17.9, 17.10 70 2009-2010 CGJ Final Report, pg. 80 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 267 VII ACRONYMS ACLU American Civil Liberties Union APD Alternate Public Defender BOS Board of Supervisors CCJCC Countywide Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee CGJ 2016-2017 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury CRDF Century Regional Detention Facility DA District Attorney EEC Los Angeles County Citizens Economy & Efficiency Commission LAPD Los Angeles Police Department SHERIFF Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department MCJ Men’s Central Jail MOU Memorandum of Understanding PD Public Defender PEMC Project Evaluation and Management Committee SCAQMD Southern California Air Quality Management District VIII COMMITTEE MEMBERS Gerard Duiker Chair Sharon Muravez Co-Chair 268 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT ARE YOU GETTING LESS THAN WHAT YOU PAY FOR? Regi Block Chair Dorothy Brown Hilda Dallal Ronnie Dann-Honor Marilyn Gelfand Dianne Kelley ARE YOU GETTING LESS THAN WHAT YOU PAY FOR? I SUMMARY Los Angeles County does not have a Package Inspection Program in place and as such is unable to adequately oversee its responsibility for inspecting and testing consumer packaged goods. Other counties in the state have Package Inspection Programs codified in their ordinances to cover program costs and to set out procedures and standards. The Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (ACT) requires manufacturers and packagers to provide a statement on packaged items identifying, among other things, the quantity contained therein.1 Pursuant to the ACT, consumers in Los Angeles County are guaranteed protection and should expect that what is stated on the outside of a commodity label is actually what is on the inside of the package. The ACT provides uniform standards to be followed throughout the nation for commodity labeling and packaging while delegating oversight to the states. The State of California, in turn, hands over the job of oversight to the counties within the state, specifically each county “Sealer.”2,3 In Los Angeles County the County Sealer is the Director of the Department of Weights & Measures. Focusing on the consumers’ rights to fair packaging, committee members of the 2016-2017 Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) explored and researched Los Angeles County Office of the Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights and Measures (Weights & Measures) with their attention on consumers’ rights to fair packaging and labeling. This resulted in the following observations:
F17
Page 379
Numerous deficiencies in access, efficiency, security, overcrowding and ADA compliance
No recommendations for this finding
F18
Page 379
Insecure movement of juveniles in public hallways to and from courtrooms
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 278
The DA should implement a Swing Shift (Noon to 8:00 pm) within the Charge Evaluation Division to process late case filings, thereby avoiding the release of inmates from court for incomplete filings. (Finding 18)
F19
Page 379
Seriously neglected maintenance and repairs in holding cells. Much graffiti
No recommendations for this finding
F20
Page 380
Clean and paint walls
No recommendations for this finding
F21
Page 379
Floors are severely worn
No recommendations for this finding
F22
Page 379
Many plumbing problems
No recommendations for this finding
F23
Page 380
Dirty walls in holding cells area
No recommendations for this finding
F24
Page 380
Plumbing in disrepair
No recommendations for this finding
F25
Page 380
Ceiling is damaged because of water leaks
No recommendations for this finding
F26
Page 380
Temporary padding attached to walls in gymnasium, exposing beams and pipes
No recommendations for this finding
F27
Page 380
Two escapes this year at a perimeter block wall with no razor-wire
No recommendations for this finding
F28
Page 380
No defibrillators at the facility, even though requested in the past
No recommendations for this finding
Additional Recommendations 18
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R11Page 285Currently Weights & Measures is responsible for their own outreach on packaging shortages. Weights & Measures has the information available on their website. This Department is virtually unknown to the public, hence there are almost no complaints regarding quantity issues or discrepancies. There is no active outreach exposing this issue to consumers. The CGJ believes that with proper exposure to the issue of shortages, public support would skyrocket, hence reining in the abuses that are occurring by packagers.
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R12Page 285Consumer & Business Affairs does not provide outreach or information regarding commodity packaging shortages to the public. Consumer & Business Affairs does provide information on pricing inconsistencies and is mandated by County Ordinance to take the 28 San Bernardino County Code of Ordinances Title 4 Chap 22 §41.2201(a)-§41.2211, and §16.0201(d)(2); Santa Barbara County Code of Ordinances Chapter 34c, Sec 34c-1 to Sec 34c-10; Riverside County Ordinance No. 832 in its entirety; Ventura County Ordinance Art 9.5§6297-1 to 6297-7 276 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT reins during emergencies to provide outreach relative to price gouging. In the opinion of the CGJ the correct department to handle the outreach on commodity packaging shortage issues is Consumer & Business Affairs.
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R13Page 285The County’s Help Line 211 and the City of Los Angeles Information Services 311 do not have information regarding packaging shortages and registering complaints in their databases. The CGJ believes this information needs to be supplied to both services so that residents of the County can be properly directed to the correct department. Lawsuits and Remedies
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R14Page 285Los Angeles County Code of Ordinance Chapter 8.08 covers “Consumer Commodity Retail Pricing”. Section 8.08.040(B) codifies the remedy an individual has against an establishment due to a violation of item pricing laws. There is no similar ordinance for violations of packaging shortages. Consumers of Los Angeles County have a right to have their remedy for package shortages codified so as to pursue an action on their own.
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R15Page 286Los Angeles County Code of Ordinance Section 8.08.040(B) codifies the remedy an individual has against an establishment due to a violation of item pricing laws, e.g. $50. This ordinance was last updated in 1980 and should currently be brought in line with 2017 dollars, which is $147.82.29
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R16Page 286Jurisdiction for pursuing consumer lawsuits relative to packaging shortages is equally shared by the State, counties and cities. Since the prosecuting agency that chooses to handle a case is solely based on the commitment and dedication of that agency toward consumer protection, the CGJ feels that Weights & Measures should seek all legal avenues in referring out cases. Data Management System
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R17Page 286Weights & Measures does not have a data management system in use by their field inspectors. Approximately 83% of field inspector’s time can be saved writing inspection reports. This would save the County money in labor and allow the Department to hire more field inspectors with the savings. VI RECOMMENDATIONS
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R18Page 356There is a staff of 16 with additional mental health counselors. They have initiated Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT) from the David Harrison model of communication therapy. This is from a Camp Scott program dealing with mental health issues and anger management programs. The kitchen and dining room were well maintained and four new air conditioning units have been installed. A new fire alarm network has been installed in the camp, 340 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT which alerts the fire department directly. Metal tables and seats are welded together. The seats are stamped metal with sharp edges on the bottom which caused a major injury to a boy and also injuries to staff. This needs to be corrected. There is a model school, library, basketball court and woodworking studio. The facility is very well run. The director requested staff to handle the laundry room. CENTRAL JUVENILE 9/23/16 ‘Excellent’ inspection. On day of inspection there was HALL a population of 220. The overall capacity is 240. 1605 Eastlake Avenue Satisfactory Central Juvenile Hall is an old facility, very large, and Los Angeles, CA 90033 some parts are older than 100 years. The grounds are 323-226-8611 well maintained. Facilities are in the process of being updated. One housing unit is being refurbished and is not in use. The older buildings, while in need of upgrade, are well maintained and clean. Safety equipment is available in all control rooms. Kitchen is very clean and well organized and serves 950 meals a day. The staff is engaged and energetic. There has been a marked transition from punishment to treatment-based approach. Youth are held in traditional housing units for an average of 8 days pending court hearings. Mental health services and a program for developmentally disabled youth are in self-contained units where the average stay is 9 months. The Developmentally Disabled Program, serving youth aged 12-19, currently houses 23 youth. The staff voiced their desire to have a PAWS Pet program at their unit. The Hope Center offers enhanced treatment and supervision for youth who may harm themselves. The LACOE is performing a great service for the students on this campus. The learning centers are designed to educate and inspire the youth. Their Road to Success Program has been given the prestigious Golden Bell Award. Current textbooks are due for an update. The “Credit Recovery Program” is an independent study program established to recover credits for students to complete high school. Operation Read is a high school graduate program, working with Southwest Trade Tech and Mission College. There is a certification program available for Food Service Handler. Staff likes the Victory Outreach transition program for youth being released to the community because it is a 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 341 funded mentor program, not a volunteer program, which eliminates the inconsistency of volunteers. CAMP CHALLENGER 11/10/16 Current population on day of inspection was 207 boys 5300 W. Avenue I between ages of 15-19. Rated capacity is 720. Lancaster, CA 93536 Satisfactory Population is decreasing because first time offenders are 661-940-4144 being directed to community centers. Challenger is currently providing housing for the youth at Camp Mendenhall which is closed for renovation. The average stay at Challenger is six months. There is 500 on staff, with 300 probation employees and 24/7 nursing care. Emergencies are handled at Olive View Hospital. The 26-year old facility is located on 42 acres. Empty buildings have been repurposed for sports activity, operations and gym. Many of the water fountains in buildings and outside were either non- functioning or had low water pressure. An Igloo water jug was observed on a playground but no cups were available. Camp Challenger is named for the Challenger Space Shuttle and the six different camp dorms are named for the Challenger astronauts. Camp Kilpatrick, one of the six dorm-camps, is a model for the future with a rehabilitative and mental health emphasis treating a small group model of 1:1 to help the juveniles. Crista McAuliffe School offers an Advance Path Academy within LACOE where students gain credits for high school diploma with a “Goal is to Graduate” philosophy. Since 2012, one hundred students have gone through this program and received credits that are transferred toward graduation. Currently there are 4 students from Onizuka and 9 from McNair. There are 8 students currently enrolled in hands-on Vocational Education classes in a fully-equipped Wood Shop and Electrical Shop. OSHA certifications are earned which allow students to later enroll in classes at Trade Tech or elsewhere in the community. Mission College offers on-line classes for students in Criminal Justice, Humanities and Physical Education. High school youth can take college classes and accumulate college credits. The HOPE Center (Healing/Opportunity/Positive Engagement) was mandated by the Board of Supervisors due to federal law against solitary confinement for juveniles (SHU’s). This Center provides a “time out” and cooling down unit where anger management and behavioral problems are 342 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT addressed and a counselor is constantly with the youth. Intermural sports (baseball, basketball, football) activity is popular and teams participate in outside community games. Two young men at Challenger played in CIF playoffs. Management is positive. Save-and-Spend points can be earned in an early release program. Mental health contracts offer 16-point assessment for evaluation. As observed at other camps, metal tables and seats are welded together. The seats are stamped metal with sharp edges on the bottom which can cause injuries. This needs to be corrected. New furniture and redecoration programs are planned. DOROTHY F. KIRBY 9/9/16 This camp provides treatment for emotionally disturbed CENTER girls and boys. The Center was built in 1960 and is in 1500 S. McDonnell Ave. Satisfactory need of upgrades. Professional staff shows much Commerce, CA 90040 concern for the youth. 323-981-4301 There were 48 youth at time of visit, with one staff person for every 5 students. Ages range from 13-1/2 to
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R19Page 360Seriously neglected maintenance and repairs in holding cells. Much graffiti
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R20Page 360Clean and paint walls
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R21Page 360Floors are severely worn
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R22Page 360Many plumbing problems Recommendations:
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R23Page 360Dirty walls in holding cells area
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R24Page 360Plumbing in disrepair
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R25Page 360Ceiling is damaged because of water leaks Recommendations:
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R26Page 360Temporary padding attached to walls in gymnasium, exposing beams and pipes
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R27Page 360Two escapes this year at a perimeter block wall with no razor-wire Recommendations:
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R28Page 360No defibrillators at the facility, even though requested in the past Recommendation: