Stanislaus County East West Facility (2023-2024 inspection cycle)

July 10, 2023 Jeff Dirkse, Sheriff-Coroner Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department 250 East Hackett Road Modesto, CA 95358 2023 UNANNOUNCED INSPECTION, PENAL CODE 6031, STANISLAUS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE EAST/WEST DETENTION FACILITY (TYPE II JAIL) Dear Sheriff Dirkse, Pursuant to Penal Code 6031(b), on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) staff conducted an unannounced inspection of the Stanislaus County East/West Detention Facility at the Public Safety Center. The focus of the unannounced inspection was to ensure continued compliance with Title 15 and Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities. INSPECTION RESULTS The inspection consisted of a site visit, a walkthrough of the dress-in area, and an inspection of clothing, mattresses, hygiene items provided, and several housing areas. Several staff members were interviewed and a video review of events in one of the housing areas. During the onsite inspection, the dress-in area was clean and organized, and clothing and mattresses were clean and free of holes and tears. The issuance of hygiene supplies was reviewed, and inmates were provided clothing based on their gender expression. At the end of the comprehensive inspection conducted in April 2023, I expressed concerns to the administrative staff over the staffing of several housing areas (D, E, G, and I). Each housing area had bed availability for 86 inmates all under the supervision of one deputy. Unit F had two deputies assigned since it was a reception unit; however, I have been informed that it will soon be reduced to one deputy and utilized as a regular housing unit. The concern I have for these housing units is the safety of staff and inmates. Current regulations specify that the appropriate number of inmates in a dormitory setting is 64. Though the housing units are not dormitory settings and only groups of inmates are allowed out of their cells at a time, the size of the housing area and the layout can cause safety issues. Several staff members were interviewed, and they stated that the housing unit is too large for one person to manage. When a safety check is conducted, the deputy does not have a view of the exercise yard. When a deputy escorts an inmate to an attorney interview within the housing unit, they are unable to view the exercise yard and most of the housing unit. The passing of documents between the attorney and the inmates ensures that the deputy is kept away from the rest of the housing unit and is unsupervised. Jeff Dirkse Sheriff-Coroner Page 2 When a deputy performs a safety check on the mezzanine level, just above the exercise yard, they have no view of that area. Many fights between inmates take place in the exercise yard. Having one deputy assigned to the housing area allows inmates to schedule fights at the most opportune time – when the deputy performs a safety check. I was able to review video footage of a recent fight that occurred in the exercise yard. In the video, the inmates walked to the yard and immediately started fighting. Luckily, the deputy was at the computer station and saw the fight occur. However, after calling for backup, it took an additional forty seconds for additional officers to arrive. Had the deputy been performing a safety check and unable to see the fight occur, significant injury could have occurred. In reviewing Title 15, Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities, Section 1027, Number of Personnel identifies that agency employees shall not have any other duties which would conflict with the supervision and care of incarcerated people, in the event of an emergency. The supervision and care of inmates are impeded due to having one deputy assigned to these large housing areas, providing a significant number of blind spots, and the need for the deputy to be unavailable, at times, to other incarcerated persons during emergencies. This determination leads to a rating of noncompliance for this regulation for housing areas D, E, F, G, and I. CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN (CAP) During the unannounced inspection for Title 15, Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities, one item of noncompliance was identified: Section 1027, Number of Personnel. A CAP is required by July 21, 2023, identifying how your agency has determined to bring this area into compliance with Title 15 Regulations. Sincerely, Tim McWilliams Field Representative Facilities Standards and Operations Division Enclosures: Cc: Presiding Judge, Stanislaus County* Grand Jury, Stanislaus County* Chair, Board of Supervisors, Stanislaus County* County Administrator, Stanislaus County* Scott Houston, Captain, Stanislaus County (Electronic copy sent) *Complete copies of this inspection are available at www.bscc.ca.gov. 5730 Stanislaus East/West Facility II Unannounced LTR 23-24