Sacramento County Grand Jury
2016-2017
From the annual report
The consolidated year-end volume. The individual investigations it contains are listed separately below.
📑 Year-End Report
The full consolidated volume; individual reports are listed below.
Individual reports (4)
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Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
Sac LAFCo does not perform MSRs in a timely manner.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
MSRs should be completed for all special districts every five years.
F2:
The questionnaire used by Sac LAFCo is out of date and incomplete.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The questionnaire sent to special districts at the start of the MSR process must be updated to address all of the current requirements in the law, as well as specific issues that are important to this region and problems that have been identified in prior reviews.
F3:
The content of MSRs is inadequate, failing to include analysis and findings to support conclusions and consideration of regional issues.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The content of MSRs should be improved to provide for more independent analysis of all of the issues facing Sacramento County with regard to water quality, infrastructure maintenance, conservation, storage and delivery.
F4:
MSRs do not contain required analysis of environmental justice issues.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
MSRs must analyze required information on environmental justice issues.
F5:
Sac LAFCo does not retain experts to help perform MSRs, particularly in the water area.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
Sac LAFCo should hire experts to assist in the preparation of MSRs. 17
F6:
Sac LAFCo fails to use its authority to look at county and private water entities and provide
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
Sac LAFCo’s process for conducting MSRs on water districts should be conducted on a regional or geographic basis, including county service areas and private water companies so that appropriate analysis of consolidation, reorganization possibilities and sensible integration efforts are seriously evaluated.
F7:
Sac LAFCo’s budget does not support the best use of resources to accomplish its mandatory requirement to complete quality MSRs in a timely manner.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
A performance audit of Sac LAFCo’s MSR program should be conducted to assist the staff to identify ways to meet statutory requirements and achieve better outcomes within existing resources.
F8:
The LAFCo Commission does not adopt an annual plan or provide adequate direction to its staff, nor does it conduct annual reviews of staff performance. Recomendations
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The Sac LAFCo Commission should adopt an annual plan, provide better direction to its staff and require that an annual performance review be conducted for each staff member.
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
The registrar did a commendable job running the November 2016 general election.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors should officially recognize the outstanding job done by the registrar’s office.
F2:
The layout of the election office is awkward and inefficient.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
A study on how to improve flow patterns of the election office should be conducted, including site visits to other headquarters locations.
F3:
The current manual method for verifying voter signatures is outdated.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The process for voter signature verification should be automated.
F4:
The overall election process would be improved if Sacramento County opts into the new election process established by the California Voters Choice Act.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Sacramento County should opt into the new election process. Registrar’s staff should visit other states that administer similar programs, such as Colorado and Oregon.
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The grand jury found inmates who need mental health services are at increased risk for re- incarceration and/or psychiatric hospitalization if they are not linked to community mental health services during the critical 24 to 72 hours after release.
F2:
The grand jury found that mentally ill inmates released after normal business hours at night when they cannot access services are also more at risk for recidivism and exacerbation of mental health symptoms. 77 -2017
F3:
The grand jury found that the Main Jail’s data system does not flag those inmates who received mental health services during incarceration.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The grand jury recommended expanding collaborative efforts to reduce numbers of mentally ill inmates who are released during hours when services are not available. Response #1 The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department concurs with the grand jury finding, with an explanation. The complexity of this situation involves a wide variety of variables, many of which are not under the control of the Sheriff's Department. Several agencies need to co-ordinate their efforts in order to see that services are available during those periods that are outside their normal operating hours. Triage navigators from UC Davis operate a program in the jail to evaluate inmates while they are in custody providing services from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. In addition, mental health professionals provide inmates with information when they are leaving. Inmates also receive a free 30-day supply of medications when they are released.
R2:
The grand jury recommended exploring the possibility of locating a transition resources center near the jail so that released inmates can connect with service providers, including triage navigators, especially after normal business hours. Response #2 Once court personnel schedule the time of an inmate’s release, the Sheriff's Department must process and release the inmate as close as reasonably possible to that time. Delaying this would violate the inmate’s Constitutional rights. To avoid this violation of rights, the Sheriff's Department offers inmates the option to be released or stay in the release area of the jail until the next morning when community services are available. The Sheriff's Department supports examining additional resources that may provide a greater chance of success. However, it points out that accomplishing this would require a collaborative effort involving county agencies, city agencies, care providers and non-profit organizations.
R3:
The grand jury recommended revising the tracking system to include information such as the booking numbers of mentally ill inmates, the kinds of services that were provided during incarceration and the anticipated effectiveness of triage navigator services after the inmate’s release. Response #3 The Sheriff's Department had this to say about the grand jury’s finding on this point. The Jail Management System (JMS) is used by custody staff to document prisoners, track their movements, housing, classification levels and incidents while they are in jail. However, this is only one of three separate tracking systems used at the jail. None of them is designed to "flag" those who are receiving mental health services. The jail’s mental health staff is charged with evaluating all inmate needs and determining whether an inmate is suffering from some form of mental illness. Sheriff’s Department officials are in final negotiations to obtain a more modern electronic records system that will be capable of handling all the necessary information about inmates, including Jail Psychiatric Services evaluations and determinations made about inmates’ mental health while they were incarcerated. 78 - 2017 Sacramento County Grand Jury Grand Jury notes that all required responses to this investigation were submitted in compliance with Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05. The current grand jury firmly stands behind the findings and recommendations of the previous year's grand jury report. 79
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Present your complaint as soon as possible. The Grand Jury’s term of service begins July 1st and ends June 30th of the following year.
R2:
Identify your specific concern and describe the circumstances as clearly and concisely as possible.
R3:
Document your complaint with copies of pertinent information and evidence in your possession.
R4:
Mail or deliver your complaint in a sealed envelope to: 9th Street, Room 611 Sacramento, CA 95814 Among the responsibilities of the Grand Jury is the investigation of the public’s complaints to assure that all branches of city and county government are being administered efficiently, honestly and in the best interest of its citizens. Complaints submitted to the Grand Jury will be treated confidentially whenever possible. However, it may be impossible to conduct an investigation without revealing your name and complaint. The results of the complaints investigated by the Grand Jury are published in its final report in which the residents of the county are made aware of its investigations, findings and recommendations, and the entities reported on are required by statute to respond. 85 * * * * * 1234536* * &1+",& -2"3+$&+"&#!2$*)+(0&56/*6&062&*+,-./#$0&/3&,#%2& !"#$%&'(")&(32&+$.)& & * @"(&*8&#&DE&/F**GGGGGGGGGGGG* ;"%&F******GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG* & * ;,%H&$F***********GGGGGGGGGGG* 7//$&JJF**GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG* * * !,HI&#(F**GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG* *****************GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG* & * <&K&LM)'&*;)NF*GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG* * $#0("2&+1&*+,-.#/$0*O@&J#$DH&*&E&'(J*D'*(M&*)$/&$*(M&-*)##,$$&/*"J*#K&"$K-*"'/*#)'#DJ&K-*"J*L)JJDHK&N**7KJ)* D'/D#"(&*PM"(*$&J)K,(D)'J*-),*"$&*J&&QD'RN**>J&*&S($"*JM&&(J*DT*'&#&JJ"$-*"'/*"(("#M*#)LD&J*)T*"'-* #)$$&JL)'/&'#&*-),*T&&K*DJ*L&$(D'&'(N**@)#,%&'("(D)'*H&#)%&J*(M&*L$)L&$(-*)T*(M&*.$"'/*0,$-*"'/*PDKK*')(*H&* $&(,$'&/N**!"#$%#&'()#*&&+,#&-$./$0#')(&.(1')2&3/$'4&51/2&,$%&'(&61/7%47.)7('&(8#/&%)$)#&(/&9#4#/$"&$:#'.7#%;& ),#&.(1/)%;&6147.7$"&(997.#/%;&</78$)#&.(0<$'7#%&(/&0(%)&(/:$'7=$)7('%>?& * * * * * * & 56/*6&-2"3+$3&+"&#!2$*/23&6#72&)+(&*+$0#*02%+(0&)+("&*+,-.#/$08& & @"(&*)T* A&$J)'*)$*7R&'#-* 7//$&JJ* 8&J,K(* +)'("#(* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 56+&36+(.%&062&!"#$%&'(")&*+$0#*0+(0&06/3&,#002"8& * A&$J)'*)$*7R&'#-* 7//$&JJ* <&K&LM)'&*;)N* * * * * * * * * * & )9:;&$<=>?&&GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG& %;@A>;BC&.@D>EC>&$9F?&&GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG& * 7//$&JJF**GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG* 0>G>HI9E>?&$9F?&&GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG& * <M&*D'T)$%"(D)'*C*M"E&*J,H%D((&/*)'*(MDJ*T)$%*DJ*($,&U*#)$$&#(U*"'/*#)%LK&(&*()*(M&*H&J(*)T*%-*"HDKD(-N* * GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG********GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG* +)%LK"D'"'(VJ*!DR'"(,$&* @"(&* * * 86 * * * * *