Humboldt Correctional Facility (2023-2024 inspection cycle)

October 29, 2024 William Honsal, Sheriff-Coroner Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office 826 4th Street Eureka, CA 95501 2023-2024 TARGETED INSPECTION, PENAL CODE SECTION 6031, WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTION 209, HUMBOLDT COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Dear Sheriff Honsal, A Targeted Inspection of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Facility has been completed. A pre-inspection briefing was held on Thursday, June 13, 2024, and the following facility was inspected on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. FACILITY NAME BSCC # FACILITY TYPE Humboldt County Correctional Facility 0860 II This inspection was conducted pursuant to Penal Code Section 6031 to determine compliance with the Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities as outlined in Title 15, California Code of Regulations. INSPECTION RESULTS We identified no items of noncompliance with Title 15 Minimum Standards. Refer to the attached Procedures Checklist for detailed information. An Exit Briefing with your staff was held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024; BSCC staff presented an inspection overview and discussed technical assistance and best practice recommendations. * * * Please email me at traci.kessler@bscc.ca.gov or contact me at (916) 956-3682 if I can be of any assistance to you or your staff. Sincerely, TRACI KESSLER Field Representative Facilities Standards and Operations Division William Honsal Sheriff-Coroner Page 2 Enclosures Cc: Presiding Judge, Humboldt County Superior Court* Chair, Grand Jury, Humboldt County* Chair, Board of Supervisors, Humboldt County* County Administrator, Humboldt County* Duane Christian, Captain, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (ELECTRONIC MAIL) *Copies of the inspection are available upon request or online at www.bscc.ca.gov. 0860 Humboldt Sheriff’s Office II Targeted LTR 23-24 TYPE II AND III FACILITIES Board of State and Community Corrections PROCEDURES1 BSCC Code:0860 FACILITY NAME: Humboldt County Correctional Facility (CCF) FACILITY TYPE: II PERSON(S) INTERVIEWED: Captain Christian & Sergeant Mendiburu FIELD REPRESENTATIVE: Traci Kessler DATE: 09/24/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1027.5 SAFETY CHECKS F-018 Safety Checks The facility administrator shall develop and implement The agency documents safety checks in an policy and procedures for conducting safety checks that electronic Jail Management System (JMS) include, but are not limited to, the following: ☒ ☐ ☐ and paper logs. (a) Safety checks will determine the safety and well- being of individuals and shall be conducted at least hourly through direct visual observation of all people held BSCC staff reviewed security check logs from and housed in the facility. June 1 – August 31, 2024. (b) There shall be no more than a 60-minute lapse F-018 Safety Checks between safety checks. ☒ ☐ ☐ Reviewed and confirmed. (c) Safety checks for people in sobering cells, safety F-018 Safety Checks cells, and restraints shall occur more frequently as ☒ ☐ ☐ outlined in section 1055, section 1056, and section 1058 of these regulations. (d) Safety checks shall occur at random or varied F-018 Safety Checks intervals. ☒ ☐ ☐ Reviewed and confirmed. (e) There shall be a written plan that includes the F-018 Safety Checks documentation of all safety checks. Documentation shall include: ☒ ☐ ☐ Reviewed and confirmed. (1) the actual time at which each individual safety check occurred; (2) the location where each individual safety check F-018 Safety Checks occurred, such as a cell, module, or dormitory number; and, ☒ ☐ ☐ Reviewed and confirmed. 1 This document is intended for use as a tool during the targeted inspection process; this worksheet may not contain each Title 15 regulation that is required. Additionally, many regulations on this worksheet are SUMMARIES of the regulation; the text on this worksheet may not contain the entire text of the actual regulation. Please refer to the complete California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Minimum Standards for Local Facilities, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 4 for the complete list and text of regulations. 0860 Humboldt County Correctional Facility Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 1 of 5 A353 Type II & III Targeted PRO eff 01.2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (3) Initials or employee identification number of staff F-018 Safety Checks who completed the safety check(s). ☒ ☐ ☐ Reviewed and confirmed. (f) A documented process by which safety checks are F-018 Safety Checks reviewed at regular defined intervals by a supervisor or facility manager, including methods of mitigating The policy states, “Supervisors shall patterns of inconsistent documentation, or untimely regularly, at a minimum of once per day, completion of, safety checks. check the safety checks of each housing unit ☒ ☐ ☐ to mitigate patterns of inconsistent documentation or untimely completion of safety check.” Supervisor reviews are conducted and noted daily. 1032 FIRE SUPPRESSION PREPLANNING E-007 Fire Plan Pursuant to Penal Code Section 6031.1(b), the facility administrator shall consult with the local fire department ☒ ☐ ☐ having jurisdiction over the facility, with the State Fire Marshal, or both, in developing a plan for fire suppression which shall include, but not be limited to: (a) a fire suppression pre-plan developed with the local E-007 Fire Plan fire department to be included as part of the policy and ☒ ☐ ☐ procedures manual (Title 15, California Code of Regulations Section 1029); (b) monthly fire prevention inspections by facility staff BSCC staff reviewed monthly fire inspections ☒ ☐ ☐ with two-year retention of the inspection record; for January – August 2024. (c) fire prevention inspections as required by Health and E-007 Fire Plan Safety Code Section 13146.1(a) and (b) which requires ☒ ☐ ☐ inspections at least once every two years; Date of the last inspection: 09/05/2024 (d) an evacuation plan; and, ☒ ☐ ☐ E-005 Evacuation Plans (e) a plan for the emergency housing of incarcerated E-005 Evacuation Plans ☒ ☐ ☐ people in the case of fire. 1056 USE OF SOBERING CELL B-007 Sobering Cells The sobering cell described in Title 24, Part 2, Section C-005 Inmates Requiring Special Handling 1231.2.4, shall be used for temporary holding of incarcerated people who are a threat to their own safety or the safety of others due to their state of intoxication. Wellpath F-04 Medically Supervised Withdrawal and Treatment ☒ ☐ ☐ BSCC staff reviewed documentation for sobering cell placements from June 1 – August 31, 2024. BSCC staff determined the agency is compliant with this regulation and the agency’s own policy. 0860 Humboldt County Correctional Facility Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 2 of 5 A353 Type II & III Targeted PRO eff 01.2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS A person shall be removed from the sobering cell as B-007 Sobering Cells soon as they are able to continue the admission process or are no longer a risk to themselves or others. ☒ ☐ ☐ C-005 Inmates Requiring Special Handling Reviewed and confirmed. In no case shall a person remain in a sobering cell over B-007 Sobering Cells six hours without an evaluation by medical or custody staff to determine whether the person has an urgent Wellpath F-04 Medically Supervised medical problem, pursuant to section 1213 of these ☒ ☐ ☐ Withdrawal and Treatment regulations. Reviewed and confirmed. At 12 hours from the time of placement, all persons must B-007 Sobering Cells receive an evaluation by responsible health care staff. C-005 Inmates Requiring Special Handling Wellpath ☒ ☐ ☐ F-04 Medically Supervised Withdrawal and Treatment Reviewed and confirmed. Intermittent direct visual observation of people held in B-007 Sobering Cells the sobering cell shall be conducted no less than every half hour. Such observation shall be documented. F-018 Safety Checks ☒ ☐ ☐ BSCC staff reviewed sobering cell logs from June 1 – August 30, 2024. Observation checks were conducted and noted within the required 30-minute time frame. 1058 USE OF RESTRAINT DEVICES G-002 Use of Restraint Devices G-006 Use of Restraint Chair The facility administrator, in cooperation with the Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion responsible physician, shall develop and implement Wellpath F-04 Medically Supervised written policies and procedures for the use of restraint Withdrawal and Treatment devices. Restraint devices include any devices which immobilize extremities or prevent the incarcerated ☒ ☐ ☐ person from being ambulatory. The provisions of this BSCC staff reviewed three (3) Restraint section do not apply to the use of handcuffs, shackles, Device reports from June 8 – July 13, 2024. or other restraint devices when used to restrain incarcerated people for security reasons. The facility manager may delegate authority to place an incarcerated person in restraints to responsible health care staff. (a) The policy shall address the following areas: G-002 Use of Restraint Devices ☒ ☐ ☐ (1) acceptable restraint devices; G-006 Use of Restraint Chair (2) signs or symptoms which should result in G-002 Use of Restraint Devices immediate medical/mental health referral; G-006 Use of Restraint Chair availability of cardiopulmonary resuscitation Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion equipment; ☒ ☐ ☐ AED devices are located in the medical area and Central Control. 0860 Humboldt County Correctional Facility Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 3 of 5 A353 Type II & III Targeted PRO eff 01.2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (3) protective housing of restrained persons; G-002 Use of Restraint Devices G-006 Use of Restraint Chair ☒ ☐ ☐ When a person is placed in a restraint chair, the restraint chair is moved into a safety cell for safe and secure housing. (4) provision for hydration and sanitation needs; and, G-002 Use of Restraint Devices G-006 Use of Restraint Chair The agency’s policy states, “A minimum of eight (8) ounces of water will be offered to the restrained persons at least every two (2) ☒ ☐ ☐ hours. The water will be served from a disposable cup with a straw. The policy also addresses how sanitation needs are conducted.” Reviewed and confirmed. (5) exercising of extremities. G-002 Use of Restraint Devices G-006 Use of Restraint Chair ☒ ☐ ☐ Reviewed and confirmed. (b) Policy shall also include, but not be limited to, the G-002 Use of Restraint Devices following requirements: G-006 Use of Restraint Chair ☒ ☐ ☐ (1) In no case shall restraints be used for punishment Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion or as a substitute for treatment. (2) Restraint devices shall only be used on G-002 Use of Restraint Devices incarcerated people who display behavior which G-006 Use of Restraint Chair ☒ ☐ ☐ results in the destruction of property or reveal an Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion intent to cause physical harm to self or others. (3) Restraint devices should be used only when less G-002 Use of Restraint Devices restrictive alternatives, including verbal de- G-006 Use of Restraint Chair ☒ ☐ ☐ escalation techniques, have been attempted and are Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion deemed ineffective. (4) An incarcerated person shall be placed in G-002 Use of Restraint Devices restraints only with the approval of the facility G-006 Use of Restraint Chair manager, the facility watch commander, or ☒ ☐ ☐ Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion responsible health care staff; continued retention shall be reviewed a minimum of every hour. (5) Continuous direct visual observation shall be G-002 Use of Restraint Devices maintained until a medical opinion can be obtained. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-006 Use of Restraint Chair Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion (6) A medical opinion on placement and retention G-002 Use of Restraint Devices shall be secured within one hour from the time of G-006 Use of Restraint Chair placement. Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion ☒ ☐ ☐ Individuals placed in restraint devices are evaluated by medical staff at the time of placement. 0860 Humboldt County Correctional Facility Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 4 of 5 A353 Type II & III Targeted PRO eff 01.2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (7) A medical assessment shall be completed within G-002 Use of Restraint Devices four hours of placement. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-006 Use of Restraint Chair Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion (8) Continuous direct visual observation shall be G-002 Use of Restraint Devices conducted at least twice every 30 minutes to ensure G-006 Use of Restraint Chair that the restraints are properly employed, and to Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion ensure the safety and well-being of the incarcerated person. Such observation shall be documented. While in restraint devices all incarcerated persons BSCC staff reviewed three (3) Restraint ☒ ☐ ☐ shall be housed alone or in a specified housing area Device reports from June 8 – July 13, 2024. which makes provisions to protect the person from In all cases, direct observation checks were abuse. conducted and noted at least every 30 minutes. After reviewing the observation logs, BSCC staff determined the agency is compliant with the regulation. (9) If the facility manager, or designee, in G-002 Use of Restraint Devices consultation with responsible health care staff G-006 Use of Restraint Chair determines that an incarcerated person cannot be ☒ ☐ ☐ Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion safely removed from restraints after eight hours, the person shall be taken to a medical facility for further Reviewed and confirmed. evaluation. (10) Where applicable, the facility manager shall use G-002 Use of Restraint Devices the restraint device manufacturer’s recommended G-006 Use of Restraint Chair maximum time limits for placement. ☒ ☐ ☐ Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion Reviewed and confirmed. (11) All events and information related to the G-002 Use of Restraint Devices placement in restraints shall be documented and G-006 Use of Restraint Chair shall be video recorded unless exigent Wellpath G-01 Restraints and Seclusion circumstances prevent staff from doing so. The documentation shall include: the reason for ☒ ☐ ☐ BSCC staff reviewed supplemental incident placement; person authorizing placement; names of reports for each restraint device placement staff involved in the placement; injuries sustained; event. The reports reviewed contained the and the duration of placement. reason for placement, names of involved staff members, injuries, and duration of placement. 1065 EXERCISE AND OUT OF CELL TIME M-009 Inmate Recreation – Out of Cell Time (a) The facility administrator of a Type II or III facility shall develop written policies and procedures for a minimum ☒ ☐ ☐ Out of Cell Time, Rec, and Visit Schedule of 10 hours of out of cell time distributed over a period of seven days to include: BSCC staff reviewed Exercise and Out of Cell Time logs from June 1 – August 30, 2024. (1) an opportunity for three hours of exercise and ☒ ☐ ☐ Reviewed and confirmed. (2) an opportunity for seven hours of recreation. ☒ ☐ ☐ Reviewed and confirmed. Policies shall include reasonable and necessary Reviewed and confirmed. ☒ ☐ ☐ procedures to ensure safety and security. 0860 Humboldt County Correctional Facility Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 5 of 5 A353 Type II & III Targeted PRO eff 01.2024