Alameda Co JH (2020-2022 inspection cycle)

June 14, 2022 Marcus Dawal, Chief Probation Officer Alameda County Probation Department PO Box 2059 1111 Jackson Street Oakland, CA 94604-2059 2022 UNANNOUNCED INSPECTION – WIC 209 and 885 ALAMEDA COUNTY JUVENILE JUSTICE FACILITY BSCC# 7001 Dear Chief Dawal: Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code sections 209 and 885, on June 1, 2022, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) staff conducted an unannounced inspection of the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility, BSCC #7001 and of Alameda Camp Sweeney, BSCC #7003. The focus of the unannounced inspections was to verify continued compliance with Title 15 California Code of Regulations (CCR), Minimum Standards for Local Detentions Facilities, Sections 1321 Staffing, 1328 Safety Checks, and 1371 Programs, Recreation, and Exercise. BSCC INSPECTION Title 15, CCR Minimum Standards The inspection consisted of a site visit, interviews with administration and facility staff, a review of safety check documentation for dates in April of 2022, a review of staff scheduling documentation for May 2022, and a review of the Programs, Recreation, and Exercise documentation for April 2022. 1321 Staffing: At the time of inspection both the Juvenile Justice Facility and Camp Sweeney were adequately staffed. In review of the staff shift work scheduling, we found that both facilities regularly have an adequate number of personnel sufficient to carry out the overall facility operation and its programming, to provide for safety and security of youth and staff and meet established standards and regulations. 1328 Safety Checks: In review of Safety Checks documentation, overall, we found both facilities to be compliant with Title 15 Regulation minimum standards. However, we found isolated incidents of safety checks that were not consistent with minimum standards for this regulation as it relates to random and varied Safety Checks. We provided Technical Assistance to ensure the staff are properly trained to follow Safety Checks according to Title 15 minimum standards. We were pleased to see that, at the Juvenile Justice Facility, the Institutional Supervisor II reviews and signs off Safety Checks each shift. As well, at Camp Sweeney, the Institutional Supervisor I follows the same procedure. Marcus Dawal Chief Probation Officer Page 2 We were also pleased to be informed that a “Job Aide” has been developed to assist the staff at Camp Sweeney with detailed expectations regarding Safety Checks. 1371 Programs, Recreation, and Exercise: The Juvenile Justice Facility utilizes a document identified as the “Daily Activity Tracker” to track each youth’s daily participation in programs, recreation, and exercise. The document also tracks school attendance. In review, we found the Juvenile Justice Facility to follow minimum standards for this regulation. However, we did observe that, intermittently, staff are not checking boxes to accurately reflect participation and Supervisors, at times, do not sign that the document has been reviewed. We provided Technical Assistance to recommend that the names of the staff working the shift is indicated on the Daily Activity Tracker and that supervisors thoroughly review and sign the tracker at the end of each shift as indicated. Title 24, CCR Physical Plant The Juvenile Justice Facility was observed to be in good, clean, and orderly condition during our visit. There are no outstanding items of noncompliance with Title 24 minimum standards. CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN There were no items of noncompliance identified during the unannounced inspection and no Corrective Action Plan 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 Forrest.Coleman@bscc.ca.gov if you have any questions related to this process. Sincerely, Forrest Coleman Field Representative Facility Standards & Operations Division cc: Presiding Judge, Alameda County County* Chair, Board of Supervisors, Alameda County* County Administrator, Alameda County* Brian Ford, Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Alameda County James Rivers, Superintendent, Juvenile Justice Facility Jessica Fort, Superintendent, Camp Sweeney * Complete copies of this inspection are available upon request and at www.bscc.ca.gov 7001+ Alameda County Juvenile Justice JH Camp LTR 20-22