Trinity County Grand Jury
2023-2024
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Findings & 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 by June 1, 2025.
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 by June 1, 2025.
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 by June 1, 2025.
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 by June 1, 2025.
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 by June 1, 2025.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The 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.
R9:
The 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 by June 1, 2025.
R10:
The 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
Findings & Recommendations
12 findings
F1:
Not all the old bins that need to be replaced have been switched out. There is no coordinated time of delivery and no notification to the gate attendants of the date of delivery.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
A) Develop a master plan to have all new dumpsters placed in their appropriate locations. B) As part of the master plan, communicate with each gate attendant as to when and where their dumpsters will be installed. C) Make sure that all bin pockets are cleaned thoroughly before placement as part of the master plan.
F2:
A lack of fire breaks around some of the transfer sites with a large accumulation of slash and yard debris creates a fire hazard. The Morbark tub grinder is underutilized because of a lack of qualified personnel.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
A. Train and qualify additional personnel to operate the tub grinder. B. If Trinity County Solid Waste is unable to train additional personnel, sell the used Morbark tub grinder and contract with a local contractor to dispose of all yard waste and slash each spring.
F3:
Big Bar, Hobel and Hyampom transfer sites do not have proper shade coverings for the gate attendants as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Construct proper permanent shade cover for Big Bar, Hobel and Hyampom to meet OSHA standards.
F4:
The entry gates at Burnt Ranch transfer site allows for illegal dumping.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Relocate the gate to deny any illegal dumping.
F5:
Some transfer sites have unclear signage indicating their entrances, which creates a dangerous condition especially for those on major highways or major county roads.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
A) All transfer sites that utilize a major highway or County Road should be clearly marked with signage from both directions. B) All signage should meet Caltrans specifications for size and distance from the entrance.
F6:
Due to the local bears having access to garbage from in ground bins, the bears have carried large amounts of trash to surrounding areas of the transfer sites. This has created not only an unsightly mess around the transfer site, but a dangerous environment for the gate attendants who fear for their safety.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
A) Clean up and maintain all areas that have trash that has been spread by the bears. B) Create procedures for gate attendants and supervisors to report bear issues using Wildlife Incident Report (WIR). This will allow everyone to know about active bears in the area. It also adds the capability to create a revocable bear depredation permit from Fish and Wildlife providing for bear removal.
F7:
Each transfer site has inadequate signage. There is no ability to clearly read the hours of operation or any other information that the public needs to know.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
Trinity County Solid Waste needs to install large easy to read informative signs indicating: 1) Hours of operation. 2) Accepted materials for disposal. 3) Acceptable items for recycling. 4) Hazardous waste information. 5) Contact phone numbers. 6) Website information.
F8:
Due to the shortage of gate attendants at the Hayfork transfer sites, there is a concern about items being properly disposed of in the metal, and yard waste areas.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
A) Assign a dedicated gate attendant to oversee the placement of all metal and yard waste to their correct locations. B) All metals should be removed every 90 to 120 days.
F9:
There is an issue with securing the transfer sites and containers from ongoing theft and vandalism problems.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9:
A) Install security doors and screens using proper security hardware. B) Broken windows in any kiosk should be repaired or replaced and install a commercial security film.
F10:
There is a lack of first aid supplies at all transfer site kiosks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10:
A) Trinity County Solid Waste contract with a medical supply company to fully stock each kiosk with proper eyewash stations, bandages, etc. to be able to take care of any unforeseen medical emergencies. B) The transfer site supervisor should be required to visit each site monthly to make sure safety practices are being adhered to and that safety supplies and security equipment are stocked and not expired. A record of these visits should be kept on site.
F11:
Most kiosk sites have an inability to communicate with first responders or emergency crews in case of unforeseen events. The Trinity County Grand Jury recognizes that Burnt Ranch has received a satellite phone, based on reporting from the Trinity Journal.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11:
Where cell service is unavailable, issue all kiosk gate attendants a satellite phone and train them on the proper use of the satellite phone.
F12:
When a gate attendant is unable to show up for their shift the transfer site closes to the public creating a hardship on the community it serves.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12:
A) Update Trinity County Solid Waste process to reflect what happens when transfer sites are not covered. Include the following: 1. When an attendant is unable to work their shift, provide an alternate gate attendant. 2. If the alternate gate attendant is unavailable, the transfer site supervisor should cover the shift so that the site is open to the public. B) keep the website up to date with current pertinent information for the community.
* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.