Fresno North Annex Jail II (2023-2024 inspection cycle)

August 8, 2023 John Zanoni, Sheriff Fresno County Sheriff’s Office 2200 Fresno St. Fresno, CA 93721 2023 UNANNOUNCED INSPECTION, PENAL CODE 6031, FRESNO COUNTY MAIN JAIL (TYPE II), FRESNO COUNTY NORTH ANNEX JAIL (TYPE II), FRESNO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (CH), AND FRESNO COUNTY B.F. SISK COURT (CH) Dear Sheriff Zanoni: Pursuant to Penal Code section 6031 (b), on June 20, 2023, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) staff conducted an unannounced inspection of the North Annex County Jail. The unannounced inspection focused on verifying compliance with section 1055 Use of Safety Cells, Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Minimum Standards for Local Detentions Facilities, and Section 1231.2.8 Dormitories. INSPECTION RESULTS Title 15, Section 1055 Use of Safety Cells. The inspection consisted of a site visit, interviews with facility staff, observations and a review of Safety cell observation check documentation, a review of standard institutional clothing issued, mattresses, and the orientation documentation. During the documentation review of the safety cell observation checks, BSCC staff determined your agency is now compliant with Title 15 section 1055 Use of Safety Cell. Documentation for the previous three weeks was reviewed, and it was verified that observation checks for safety cells occur at a rate of twice every thirty minutes with no more than a 15-minute lapse between checks. Standard institutional clothing was stocked in the dress-in room and was clean, and free of holes and tears. Through interviews with facility staff, torn clothing is either repaired (when possible) or removed from issuance and discarded. A review of the process for handling mattresses was performed. Mattresses are maintained in the housing area. Clean mattresses are held separately from dirty ones and provided to newly housed inmates. When inmates are released from custody or moved to another housing area, mattresses are removed from the living area and placed on a cart indicating they need to be cleaned. Mattresses that have holes, tears, or rips, are identified, and repaired (when possible) or discarded and a new mattress is issued. A copy of the Inmate Orientation Handbook was obtained for review. The 50-page pamphlet covered legal rights and responsibilities, hostage policy, general rules of conduct, housing areas, John Zanoni Sheriff Page 2 rule violation reports, disciplinary standards, programs, activities, services, weather risks, pictures and descriptions of isometric techniques, and calendars. Additionally, verification of compliance with section 1032, Fire Suppression, subsection (b) monthly fire prevention inspections by facility staff for the Fresno Superior Court and the B.F. Sisk Court Facility was conducted. Both Superior Court and the B.F. Sisk Court facilities provided monthly fire prevention inspections for the months of March, April, and May of 2023. The inspections are conducted close to the end of each month. Noncompliance with this section 1032, Fire Suppression, of Title 15, Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities was identified during the comprehensive inspection. This inspection verified that the agency is now compliant with this regulation. Title 24, 1231.2.8 Dormitories: As stated in Section 1231.2.8 Dormitories in Title 24, Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities, dormitories are limited to no more than 64 inmates. On April 20, 2023, Fresno County Sheriff’s administration submitted a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) outlining this area of noncompliance. Fresno County Sheriff’s Office abides by a Federal Court Order issued on February 23, 1984, “Cruz v. County of Fresno,” where it established a capacity rating of 72 persons in the dormitories. CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN There were no items of noncompliance identified during the unannounced inspection, and no Corrective Action Plan (CAP) is required at this time. * * * I am available to provide technical assistance when requested. I look forward to continuing to work together. Please do not hesitate to email me at tim.mcwilliams@bscc,ca.gov or call me at 916-324-1914. Sincerely, TIM MCWILLIAMS Field Representative Facilities Standards & Operations Division 0702 Fresno North Annex Jail II Unannounced LTR 23-24 John Zanoni Sheriff Page 2 Enclosures: Cc: Presiding Judge, Fresno County* Grand Jury, Fresno County* Chair, Board of Supervisors, Fresno County* County Administrator, Fresno County* Russell Duran, Captain, Fresno County Sheriff's Office (Electronic Copy) *Complete copies of this inspection are available upon request and at www.bscc.ca.gov. 0702 Fresno North Annex Jail II Unannounced LTR 23-24