Tuolumne County Grand Jury
2011-2012
Findings & Recommendations
24 findings
F1:
The initial visit found that the Level III overflow housing unit (gym) held approximately 150 inmates in 2 and 3 tier bunk beds. Upon entering the unit, it immediately seemed crowded and fairly noisy, but well kept. The second visit to the unit found the building empty of all inmates. They had been relocated to other areas or paroled. The beds had been dismantled and removed. A small portion of this unit was now being utilized by Level III medical personnel.
F2:
Staff response to the lockdown alarm in the medical facility was immediate. All visible inmates knelt down on the ground and didn’t move until told to do so by staff. All inmates were sent to their dorms and locked down until further notice.
F3:
A copy of a menu was provided to us and the meals met the nutritional guidelines set forth by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
F4:
During our tour of BFC, the Fire Crews were battling a major wild fire in Kern County, CA. Temporary inmate housing was established to accommodate fire crews from other counties who were brought in to cover our area.
F5:
Upon inspection, the Grand Jury was impressed by the immaculate condition of the BFC and surrounding grounds. The dorms were smaller and better appointed than those at SCC. Strict rules were adhered to, but inmates were on an honor system and were free to move about the facility. They also had access to all exercise equipment as part of their readiness training.
F6:
Due to cuts in budgetary spending, the CDCR evaluated and made additional cuts to inmate vocational training. However, all qualified inmates still have access to educational programs.
F7:
An inmate generated program called Freedom and Choice was created in 2005 to “Provide an alternative prison environment free of prison politics (gangs) racism and violence.” They are governed by their own elected board of officers, and have established their own set of rules. All new members who want to join have to be voted in and sign a contract which agrees to an established set of by-laws. Originally housed in a group of five dormitories, they are now down to one due to decreasing numbers of members being paroled and/or outside peer pressure resulting in lower participation. 17
F8:
Tuolumne County needs a new jail.
F9:
The meals appeared to be adequate for each inmate’s requirements. Dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, Kosher) were taken into account.
F10:
The small size of the pantry (dry storage) dictates how often supplies are taken into the jail. A larger pantry area would allow for fewer food deliveries and less disruption to Jail routines. The size of the cold storage (refrigerator and freezer) also affects how often deliveries are made.
F11:
All employees are provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including Safety glasses, gloves, chainsaw chaps, etc.
F12:
Employees in the Road Department and the Fleet Services Department have not had first aid or CPR training in the past 3 years.
F13:
In the Columbia and the Big Oak Flat facilities, equipment was blocking access to the electric panels.
F14:
Fire extinguishers in all facilities had not been inspected monthly.
F15:
Fire extinguishers were found on the floor at both the Big Oak Flat and Jamestown facilities.
F16:
There were no “EXIT” signs posted over doorways leading out of the buildings at any facilities.
F17:
Doors which did not lead to exits were not properly posted as such at any facility.
F18:
The Columbia, Tuolumne City and Jamestown facilities hold weekly safety meetings on topics related to their job. At the Big Oak Flat facility safety meetings are not held on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
F19:
Employees in the Big Oak Flat facility were not aware of the location of the MSDS’s. In all other facilities the employees had access and understood the importance of MSDS’s.
F20:
Columbia has a functioning eyewash station. The Jamestown eyewash is not functional.
F21:
Fuel tanks (gasoline and diesel) are identified with a green rectangular label on the ends of each tank. Some tanks have additional labels indicating Combustible or Flammable liquid.
F22:
Only one Fleet Service employee is a certified welder. 55
F23:
The County Human Resources Manager is currently serving as the Risk Manager.
F24:
OSHA standards are not being followed regularly in daily operations.
Additional Recommendations
23
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Recommendation 1, regarding work instructions and procedures, has essentially been completed. Efforts began to address the issue in August, 2011. The document was broken up into sub-categories by positions, and an electronic copy is now available.
R2:
Recommendation 2, regarding a property tax system evaluation, is currently in progress. Ten staff members have attended software demos presented by vendors.
R3:
Recommendation 3, regarding economic development and strategic goals, has not yet been seen by the Board of Directors. Concerns have been voiced that implementation will be expensive. Staff are currently working with other counties to see if it is possible to utilize one consistent system throughout the region. Update: Tuolumne County Probation:
R4:
The annual furlough of three weeks has had a negative impact on the ORR operations. As previously mentioned, time is of the essence in executing these collections. Consideration should be given to eliminating or spreading furlough days out over the year or, at least, reducing large blocks near the Christmas holidays to lessen their impact on collections.
R5:
The Inmate Specialist should continue encouraging the interested and motivated. Staff should explore the possibility of recruiting volunteers to help with essay writing and math skills. Investments should be made into calculators for qualified inmates.
R6:
Adapt plans for longer term inmate stays so these inmates can make strides for their futures.
R8:
When state funds become available, every effort should be made by the citizens of Tuolumne County to support efforts to pursue the construction of a new jail. This support should come despite the possibility of requiring additional county funding.
R9:
A detailed and informative video showing the inadequate, dilapidated and unsafe condition of this facility would help to make the citizens of this county aware of these problems and create the much needed support for a new jail.
R10:
There seem to be no viable options. A new jail with a larger pantry area and a larger cold storage area would solve such problems.
R11:
The Jury recommends that the Jail contract with local health providers, such as Sonora Regional Medical Center, to provide a detailed health care needs assessment to account for the new and future Jail population's health/medical care.
R12:
All Road and Fleet Services employees, including supervisors, should be required to take annual CPR and first aid classes as a condition of continued employment.
R13:
It is highly recommended that any equipment be removed from the front of electrical panels. A black/yellow stripe tape should be placed 36 inches around panel boxes to distinguish areas to be kept clear.
R14:
Supervisors should designate an employee to inspect fire extinguishers monthly and initial tags.
R15:
All fire extinguishers should be mounted in marked, readily accessible locations, according to safety standards.
R16:
“EXIT” signs should be placed over all doors leading out of any building.
R17:
“NOT AN EXIT” signs should be posted over doors with no access to the outside of any buildings.
R18:
It is highly recommended that the Supervisor of the Big Oak Flat facility establish weekly safety meetings.
R19:
The Supervisor of the Big Oak Flat facility should discuss MSDS’s with employees and inform them of the location of the MSDS binder, per OSHA requirements.
R20:
Eyewash stations should be installed, maintained, and inspected monthly in all facilities. 56
R21:
Recommend using an alternate placard from the Emergency Response Guide Book, ERG guide number 127 for Gasoline and number 128 for Fuel Oil. Ref. USDOT HazMat Placard, Class 3 Flammable Liquids. This should be placed on the side of the tank adjacent to their respective liquids. This will provide a visual aid to emergency response individuals and the Fire Department.
R22:
The Jury recommends at least two employees be certified in welding at fleet services.
R23:
The Jury recommends that a Risk Manager be rehired at the county level, such that one person can fully dedicate their attention to issues of workplace safety.
R24:
The Jury recommends that the Risk Manager review OSHA standards and address compliance issues within the Road & Fleet Services Departments.
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