Merced Probation (2023-2024 inspection cycle)

July 23, 2024 Chris Henn, Chief Probation Officer Merced Probation Department 18180 Wardrobe Avenue Merced, CA 95341 2023-2024 TARGETED INSPECTION, WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTIONS 209 & 885, MERCED COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT DETENTION FACILITIES Dear Chief Henn: A Targeted Inspection of the Merced County Probation Department has been completed. A pre-inspection briefing was held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, and the following facilities were inspected on Wednesday, July 17, 2024: FACILITY NAME BSCC # FACILITY TYPE Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional 7327 JH Complex Juvenile Hall Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional 7328 SYTF Complex Secure Youth Treatment Facility Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional 7330 CAMP Complex Bear Creek Academy These inspections were conducted pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 209 and 885 to determine compliance with the Minimum Standards for Juvenile 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 Wednesday, July 17, 2024; BSCC staff presented an inspection overview and discussed technical assistance and best practice recommendations. * * * Please email me at elizabeth.gong@bscc.ca.gov or call (916) 704-2503 if you have any questions. Chris Henn Chief Probation Officer Page 2 Sincerely, ELIZABETH GONG Field Representative Facilities Standards and Operations Division Enclosures Cc: Presiding Judge, Merced County Juvenile Court* Chair, Juvenile Justice Commission, Merced County* Chair, Board of Supervisors, Merced County* County Administrator, Merced County* Ben Rodriguez, Deputy Chief Probation Officer, Merced County Probation *Copies of the inspection are available upon request or online at www.bscc.ca.gov. 7327+ Merced Probation JH Camp SYTF Targeted LTR 2024 JUVENILE HALLS, SPECIAL PURPOSE JUVENILE HALLS AND CAMPS Board of State and Community Corrections PROCEDURES CHECKLIST1 BSCC Code: 7327 FACILITY NAME: Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Complex – Juvenile Hall FACILITY TYPE: JH PERSON(S) INTERVIEWED: Chris Henn, Chief Probation Officer; Ben Rodrigue, Chief Deputy Probation Officer; Jennifer Medeiros, Division Manager; Channon High, Probation Program Specialist; Michael Reyes, GEO Program Manager II; Youth: Alex, age 19 – SYTF; Cuantomac, age 19 – BCA; Savannah, age 17 – BCA. FIELD REPRESENTATIVE: Elizabeth Gong DATE: July 17, 2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1321 STAFFING Each juvenile facility shall: D-102, GP I (a) 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 The Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional and staff, and meet established standards and Complex (IGJJCC) has seven Supervising regulations; Juvenile Institution Officers (SJIO), four JIO III’s, and 23 JIO Youth Supervision staff. All but three are core-trained and have completed PC 832. There are eight vacancies in the JIO I/II series and three in the JIO III series. ☒ ☐ ☐ The shift patterns include 8-, 10-, and 12-hour rotations, with sufficient overlap coverage with DPOs for evening program. The vacancies are fewer than in 2023, however, DPOs continue to work shifts in the facility. The facility has continued to utilize a Program Specialist and a Peer Support Specialist to assist youth supervision staff with the programming requirements, allowing youth supervision staff to concentrate on the safety and security operational elements of the day- to-day responsibilities. The agency continues 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 Juvenile Facilities, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 5 for the complete list and text of regulations. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 1 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS to utilize GEO, which has eight staff who monitor and facilitate programs. (b) ensure that no required services shall be denied because of insufficient numbers of staff on duty absent D-102 exigent circumstances; The agency meets the required operational ☒ ☐ ☐ needs for the youth. Although the agency has numerous vacancies in the JIO series, volunteers from the Probation Officer classification, as well as JIO overtime, allow for full operational responsibilities. (c) have a sufficient number of supervisory level staff to ensure adequate supervision of all staff members; D-102, GP II ☒ ☐ ☐ The IGJJCC has seven Supervising Juvenile Institution Officers, with one on duty at all times. (d) have a clearly identified person on duty at all times who is responsible for operations and activities and has ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP III completed the Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course and PC 832 training; (e) have at least one staff member present on each living unit whenever there are youth in the living unit; ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP IV (f) have sufficient food service personnel relative to the number and security of living units, including staff D-102, GP VIII, F qualified and available to: plan menus meeting nutritional requirements of youth; provide kitchen supervision; direct ☒ ☐ ☐ food preparation and servings; conduct related training programs for culinary staff; and maintain necessary Food services are provided by Trinity Food via records; or, a facility may serve food that meets nutritional the Merced County Jail. standards prepared by an outside source; (g) have sufficient administrative, clerical, recreational, medical, dental, mental health, building maintenance, D-102, GP VIII transportation, control room, facility security and other support staff for the efficient management of the facility, ☒ ☐ ☐ and to ensure that youth supervision staff shall not be diverted from supervising youth; and, Ancillary staff are not included as youth supervision staff. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 2 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (h) assign sufficient youth supervision staff to provide continuous wide awake supervision of youth, subject to D-102, GP V temporary variations in staff assignments to meet special ☒ ☐ ☐ program needs. Staffing shall be in compliance with a minimum youth-staff ratio for the following facility types: (1) Juvenile Halls (A) during the hours that youth are awake, one D-102, GP V, A Juvenile Hall wide-awake youth supervision staff member on duty for each 10 youth in detention; Although the juvenile justice complex has vacancies in the youth supervision staff series (eight), all shifts are sufficiently covered. The agency has solicited DPO staff to assist in coverage. We note the program providers ☒ ☐ ☐ provide great relief to facilitation of programs allowing them to concentrate on youth supervision responsibilities. While on-site, there were 11 male and three female youth in detention, housed in units C and D. (B) during the hours that youth are confined to their room for the purpose of sleeping, one wide-awake ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP VI, A youth supervision staff member on duty for each 30 youth in detention; (C) at least two wide-awake youth supervision staff members on duty at all times, regardless of the D-102, GP VI, B number of youth in detention, unless an ☒ ☐ ☐ arrangement has been made for backup support services which allow for immediate response to emergencies; and, (D) at least one youth supervision staff member on duty who is the same gender as youth housed in ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP VII the facility. (E) personnel with primary responsibility for other duties such as administration, supervision of D-102, GP VIII personnel, academic or trade instruction, clerical, ☒ ☐ ☐ kitchen or maintenance shall not be classified as youth supervision staff positions. (2) Special Purpose Juvenile Halls (A) during hours that youth are awake, one wide- ☒ ☐ ☐ This is not a Special Purpose Juvenile Hall. awake youth supervision staff member on duty for each 10 youth in detention; 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 3 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (B) during the hours that youth are confined to their room for the purpose of sleeping, one wide-awake ☒ ☐ ☐ youth supervision staff member on duty for each 30 youth in detention; (C) at least two wide-awake youth supervision staff members on duty at all times, regardless of the number of youth in detention, unless an ☒ ☐ ☐ arrangement has been made for backup support services which allow for immediate response to emergencies; and, (D) at least one youth supervision staff member on duty who is the same gender as youth housed in ☒ ☐ ☐ the facility. (E) personnel with primary responsibility for other duties such as administration, supervision of personnel, academic or trade instruction, clerical, ☒ ☐ ☐ kitchen or maintenance shall not be classified as youth supervision staff positions. (3) Camps (A) during the hours that youth are awake, one ☒ ☐ ☐ This is not a Camp. wide-awake youth supervision staff member on duty for each 15 youth in the camp population; (B) during the hours that youth are confined to their room for the purpose of sleeping, one wide-awake ☒ ☐ ☐ youth supervision staff member on duty for each 30 youth present in the facility; (C) at least two wide-awake youth supervision staff members on duty at all times, regardless of the number of youth in residence, unless ☒ ☐ ☐ arrangements have been made for backup support services which allow for immediate response to emergencies; (D) at least one youth supervision staff member on duty who is the same gender as youth housed in ☒ ☐ ☐ the facility; (E) in addition to the minimum staff to youth ratio required in (h)(3)(A)-(B), consideration shall be given to the size, design, and location of the camp; types of youth committed to the camp; and the ☒ ☐ ☐ function of the camp in determining the level of supervision necessary to maintain the safety and welfare of youth and staff; 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 4 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (F) personnel with primary responsibility for other duties such as administration, supervision of personnel, academic or trade instruction, clerical, ☒ ☐ ☐ farm, forestry, kitchen or maintenance shall not be classified as youth supervision staff positions. 1328 SAFETY CHECKS The facility administrator shall develop and implement G-118 GP I-III policy and procedures that provide for direct visual observation of youth at a minimum of every 15 minutes, G-118 Room Check Procedure I-VI at random or varied intervals during hours when youth are asleep or when youth are in their rooms, confined in holding cells or confined to their bed in a dormitory. We reviewed safety check log audits for Supervision is not replaced, but may be supplemented January, March, and May 2024. We found by, an audio/visual electronic surveillance system most checks are between 6-13 minutes, with designed to detect overt, aggressive or assaultive very few late or patterned checks. Each behavior and to summon aid in emergencies. All safety ☒ ☐ ☐ included an administrative audit with camera checks shall be documented with the actual time the review by the SJIO. check is completed. The agency physical plant allows for checks to be accomplished while still providing supervision audibly and visually. JIO staff provide notations of youth location and any occupied room notations as to the reason a youth is in their room. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 5 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1329 SUICIDE PREVENTION PLAN The facility administrator, in collaboration with the G-109 Suicide Identification Program healthcare and behavioral/mental health administrators, shall plan and implement written policies and procedures Y-G-05 Wellpath Suicide Prevention Program which delineate a Suicide Prevention Plan. The plan shall consider the needs of youth experiencing past or current trauma. Suicide prevention responses shall be The IGJJCC had five youth involved in respectful and in the least invasive manner consistent documented suicide behaviors, two of which with the level of suicide risk. The plan shall include the included an I-1 (Safety Room) placement so following elements: far in 2024. Four of the five incidents had continuous and ongoing BH reviews with Wellpath. One incident involved a youth placement on Suicide Watch (SW), beginning at admission and placed by Wellpath admitting Medical Staff. Follow-up by Behavior Health (BH) did not occur until Monday even though on-call was notified timely. ☒ ☐ ☐ All five incidents involved two – five days of SW but we noted youth were able to participate in programming during the more structured supervision. We found four of the five incidents were detention youth, two of which were placed on this restricted status by medical at admission and the others after making statements of self- harm. Once seen by BH, we found continued visits and monitoring occurred. Wellpath has improved over their last review during the on-site inspection in 2023, however, we provided technical assistance for Facility Administrators to be notified and provide follow-up for these low-frequency, high-risk events to ensure timely and continuous responses. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 6 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (a) Suicide prevention training as required in Section 1322, Youth Supervision Staff Orientation, and Training G-109 Admission Procedures V, A-N and the Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course. ☒ ☐ ☐ All youth supervision staff complete Suicide Prevention Training annually. (b) Screening, Identification Assessment and Precautionary Protocols G-109 Screening Identification Assessment (1) All youth shall be screened for risk of suicide at intake and as needed during detention. ☒ ☐ ☐ The IGJJCC utilizes the MAYSI-2 Instrument to assess the risk of suicide for youth at admission. (2) All youth supervision staff who perform intake processes shall be trained in screening youth for risk ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Admission Procedures V, A of suicide. (3) All youth who have been identified during the intake screening process to be at risk of suicide shall G-109 Admission Procedures IV, A be referred to behavioral/mental health staff for a suicide risk assessment. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Screening Identification Assessment II, A-C (4) Precautionary protocols shall be developed to ensure the youth’s safety pending the ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures I-VIII behavioral/mental health assessment. (c) Referral process to behavioral/mental health staff for assessment and/or services. G-109 Admission Procedures IV, A. V, and K ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Screening Identification Assessment II, B (d) Procedures for monitoring of youth identified at risk for suicide. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures I-VIII 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 7 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (e) Safety Interventions (1) Procedures to address intervention protocols for G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures I-VIII youth identified at risk for suicide which may include, but are not limited to: G-109 II, B Suicide Intervention Procedures (A) Housing consideration ☒ ☐ ☐ (sleeping room) G-109 II, C (Safety Room) (B) Treatment strategies including trauma- informed approaches ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures II (2) Procedures to instruct youth supervision staff how to respond to youth who exhibit suicidal behaviors. G-109 I-VIII Suicide Intervention Procedures ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 I, A-E Suicide Intervention Procedures (f) Communication (1) The intake process shall include communication G-109 Admission Procedures I and II with the arresting officer and family guardians ☒ ☐ ☐ regarding the youth’s past or present suicidal G-109 Communication I-VII ideations, behaviors or attempts. (2) Procedures for clear and current information sharing about youth at risk for suicide with youth ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Communication I supervision, healthcare, and behavioral/mental health staff. (g) Debriefing of Critical Incidents Related to Suicides or Attempts G-109 Debriefing (1) Process for administrative review of the ☒ ☐ ☐ circumstances and responses proceeding, during G-109 Administrative Review and after the critical incident. (2) Process for a debriefing event with affected staff. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Debriefing I (3) Process for a debriefing event with affected youth. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Debriefing I 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 8 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (h) Documentation (1) Documentation processes shall be developed to G-109 E Suicide Attempt Procedure ensure compliance with this regulation G-109 II, G and H Suicide Intervention ☒ ☐ ☐ Procedures G-109 IV Admission Procedures Youth identified at risk for suicide shall not be denied the opportunity to participate in facility programs, services G-109 GP I and activities which are available to other non-suicidal youth, unless deemed necessary for the safety of the ☒ ☐ ☐ youth or security of the facility. Any deprivation of programs, services or activities for youth at risk of suicide shall be documented and approved by the facility manager. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 9 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1354.5 ROOM CONFINEMENT (a) The facility administrator shall develop and G-108 Room Confinement implement written policies and procedures addressing the confinement of youth in their room that are consistent with Welfare and Institutions Code Section We reviewed Room Confinement (RC) 208.3. The placement of a youth in room confinement processes and accompanying shall be accomplished in accordance with the following documentation. There has been one incident guidelines: of RC in 2024, none in detention. Our documentation review included all reports associated with the reason for placement from the incident report and safety check logs. Policy requires youth to be moved to intake for RC placement, which allows normal programming in the units to continue. ☒ ☐ ☐ We continued our discussion to highlight the differences between RC incidents and those involving Administrative Separation. The circumstances of the incidents are similar, with youth reintegrating into different forms of programming. We again provided technical assistance to refer to all safety and security behaviors as RC and consider reintegration into an Administrative Separation status. The documentation for both is clear and compliant with Title 15. IGJJCC staff have incorporated all elements of RC, utilizing the tool as a last resort and reintegrating youth as soon as possible. (1) Room confinement shall not be used before other, less restrictive, options have been attempted G-108 GP II and exhausted, unless attempting those options ☒ ☐ ☐ poses a threat to the safety or security of any youth or staff. (2) Room confinement shall not be used for the purposes of punishment, coercion, convenience, or ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP III retaliation by staff. (3) Room confinement shall not be used to the extent that it compromises the mental and physical health ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP IV of the youth. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 10 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (b) A youth may be held up to four hours in room confinement. After the youth has been held in room ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP confinement for a period of four hours, staff shall do one or more of the following: (1) Return the youth to general population. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I (2) Consult with mental health or medical staff. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, A (3) Develop an individualized plan that includes the goals and objectives to be met in order to reintegrate ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, B the youth to general population. (4) If room confinement must be extended beyond four hours, staff shall do each of the following: G-108 Continuation of RC (A) Document the reasons for room confinement and the basis for the extension, the date and time ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, C the youth was first placed in room confinement, and when he or she is eventually released from room confinement. (B) Develop an individualized plan that includes the goals and objectives to be met in order to ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, B integrate the youth to general population. (C) Obtain documented authorization by the facility superintendent or his or her designee ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, D every four hours thereafter. (5) This section is not intended to limit the use of single-person rooms or cells for the housing of youth ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP I in juvenile facilities and does not apply to normal sleeping hours. (6) This section does not apply to youth or wards in ☒ ☐ ☐ court holding facilities or adult facilities. (7) Nothing in this section shall be construed to conflict with any law providing greater or additional ☒ ☐ ☐ protections to youth. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 11 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (8) This section does not apply during an extraordinary emergency circumstance that requires G-108 Procedures C a significant departure from normal institutional operations, including a natural disaster or facility- ☒ ☐ ☐ wide threat that poses an imminent and substantial risk of harm to multiple staff or youth. This exception shall apply for the shortest amount of time needed to address this imminent and substantial risk of harm. (9) This section does not apply when a youth is placed in a locked cell or sleeping room to treat and G-108 Procedures B protect against the spread of a communicable disease for the shortest amount of time required to reduce the risk of infection, with the written approval of a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, when the youth is not required to be in an infirmary for an ☒ ☐ ☐ illness. Additionally, this section does not apply when a youth is placed in a locked cell or sleeping room for required extended care after medical treatment with the written approval of a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, when the youth is not required to be in an infirmary for illness. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 12 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1357 USE OF FORCE The facility administrator, in cooperation with the H-112 Use of Force (UF) responsible physician, shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for the use of force, which may include chemical agents. Force shall never The agency provided force incidents for be applied as punishment, discipline, retaliation or review, including youth-on-youth fights, riot treatment. behavior, threatening behavior toward staff, (a) At a minimum, each facility shall develop policies and and self-harm behavior. There were 17 procedures which: incidents so far in 2024, involving 38 youth of which ten included the use of OC spray. For detention, there were seven incidents involving 14 youth (all youth-on-youth assaults) with OC deployment in three incidents. The incident reports were timely, informative, and within policy. Staff responses and actions appeared appropriate based on the comprehensive documentation submitted. The IGJJCC policy requires monthly ‘Inquiry Board’ meetings to audit/review all UF ☒ ☐ ☐ incidents, including the incident report and camera review. The findings made by administrators post review are that the staff acted lawfully, appropriately within policy, immediately in response to the identified threat, and/or the force was necessary. The review also identifies if the staff were appropriately trained to respond, objective and reasonable in their response, whether the staff precipitated the incident, and that the staff reacted professionally. We provided technical assistance to administrators to follow policy as we found the incidents for January and February were not reviewed by the Inquiry Review timely. Use of Force incidents continue to be reduced from previous inspections by more than 52%, noting there were 17 in the first seven months of 2024 versus 37 in the same time period in 2023. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 13 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (1) restricts the use of force to that which is deemed reasonable and necessary, as defined in Section ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Use of Force Defined 1302 to ensure the safety and security of youth, staff, others and the facility. (2) outline the force options available to staff including both physical and non-physical options and define H-112 Defense Options Defined when those force options are appropriate. ☒ ☐ ☐ The IGJJCC continuum includes: Officer Presence, Counseling, Verbal Commands, Empty Hand Controls, Defensive Tactics, and OC Spray. (3) describe force options or techniques that are expressly prohibited by the facility. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Prohibited Techniques (4) describe the requirements of staff to report any inappropriate use of force, and to take affirmative ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 GP I, I action to immediately stop it. (5) define a standardized reporting format that includes time period and procedure for documenting H-112 Documentation of Use of Force I and reporting the use of force, including reporting requirements of management and line staff and H-112 Incident Reports I, A-I procedures for reviewing and tracking use of force incidents by supervisory and or management staff, ☒ ☐ ☐ which include procedures for debriefing a particular incident with staff and/or youth for the purposes of training as well as mitigating the effects of trauma that may have been experienced by staff and /or the youth involved. (6) Include an administrative review and a system for investigating unreasonable use of force. H-112 Administrative Review of Use of Force ☒ ☐ ☐ I, A-H (7) define the role, notification, and follow-up procedures required after use of force incidents for H-112 Medical Referral or Treatment I, A-B medical, mental health staff and parents or legal guardians. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Mental Health Referral or Treatment I H-112 Notification I (8) describe the limitations of use of force on pregnant youth in accordance with Penal Code Section 6030(f) H-112 GP II and Welfare and Institutions Code Section 222. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-116 Procedure III Pregnant Youth 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 14 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (b) Facilities that authorize chemical agents as a force option shall include policies and procedures that: H-112 Defense Options VI OC Spray (1) identify who is approved to carry and/or utilize chemical agents in the facility and the type, size and H-112 Training Requirements for Physical the approved method of deployment for those and OC Spray Force Interventions I and II chemical agents. ☒ ☐ ☐ There were 17 youth impacted by ten incidents of OC use so far in 2024. For detention, eight youth were impacted. Our review of incidents revealed the IGJJCC staff exhausts efforts to de-escalate incidents before the use of OC Spray. (2) mandate that chemical agents only be used when there is an imminent threat to the youth’s safety or the ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Defense Options VI OC Spray safety of others and only when de-escalation efforts have been unsuccessful or are not reasonably possible. (3) outline the facility’s approved methods and timelines for decontamination from chemical agents. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical This shall include that youth who have been exposed ☒ ☐ ☐ and OC Spray Force Interventions VIII to chemical agents shall not be left unattended until that youth is fully decontaminated or is no longer suffering the effects of the chemical agent. (4) define the role, notification, and follow-up procedures required after use of force incidents H-112 Documentation of Use of Force I involving chemical agents for medical, mental health staff and parents or legal guardians. H-112 Incident Reports I, A-I H-112 Administrative Review of Use of Force I, A-H ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Medical Referral or Treatment I, A-B H-112 Mental Health Referral or Treatment I H-112 Notification I (5) provide for the documentation of each incident of use of chemical agents, including the reasons for H-112 Documentation of Use of Force I which it was used, efforts to de-escalate prior to use, youth and staff involved, the date, time and location ☒ ☐ ☐ of use, decontamination procedures applied and identification of any injuries sustained as a result of such use. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 15 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (c) Facilities shall develop policies and procedure which require that agencies provide initial and regular training H-112 Training Requirements for Physical in use of force and chemical agents when appropriate and OC Spray Force Interventions VIII that address: ☒ ☐ ☐ (1) known medical and behavioral health conditions H-112 GP II that would contraindicate certain types of force; (2) acceptable chemical agents and the methods of application. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical ☒ ☐ ☐ and OC Spray Force Interventions V, VI, VII (3) signs or symptoms that should result in immediate referral to medical or behavioral health. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical and OC Spray Force Interventions VIII ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Medical Referral or Treatment I, A-B H-112 Mental Health Referral or Treatment I (4) instruction on the Constitutional Limitations of Use of Force. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Grievances on the Use of Force (5) physical training force options that may require the use of perishable skills. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical and OC Spray Force Interventions III H-112 Training Requirements for Physical and OC Spray Force Interventions IV ☒ ☐ ☐ Staff at the IGJJCC are required to complete three annual trainings on the use of force, including OC Spray. (6) timelines the facility uses to define regular training. The IGJJCC requires staff to complete significant training prior to being authorized to ☒ ☐ ☐ carry OC Spray with a minimum of three updated trainings annually. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 16 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1361 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE The facility administrator shall develop and implement G-122 GP I Grievances written policies and procedures whereby any youth may appeal and have resolved grievances relating to any condition of confinement, including but not limited to There have been 82 grievances filed so far in health care services, classification decisions, program 2024, 22 in detention and, of those, ten filed participation, telephone, mail or visiting procedures, by two youth equating to 45% of the total in food, clothing, bedding, mistreatment, harassment or JH. violations of the nondiscrimination policy. There shall be ☒ ☐ ☐ no time limit on filing grievances. Policies and procedures shall include provisions whereby the facility We reviewed grievance logs and reports. The manager ensures: staff articulate a response and communicate findings with youth and involved staff in a timely manner. In almost all grievances, the Program manager communicates with the youth as a means of dialogue and checking in. (a) a grievance form and instructions for registering a grievance, which includes provisions for the youth to ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP III have free access to the form; (b) the youth shall have the option to confidentially file the grievance or to deliver the form to any youth ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP IV supervision staff working in the facility; (c) resolution of the grievance at the lowest appropriate staff level; ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP V (d) provision for a prompt review and initial response to grievances within three (3) business days, grievances ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP VI that relate to health and safety issues must be addressed immediately; (1) The youth may elect to be present to explain his/her version of the grievance to a person not ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP VII directly involved in the circumstances which led to the grievance. (2) Provision for a staff representative approved by the facility administrator to assist the youth. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP VIII (e) provision for a written response to the grievance which includes the reasons for the decisions; ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP IX 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 17 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (f) a system which provides that any appeal of a grievance shall be heard by a person not directly ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP X involved in the circumstances which led to the grievance; (g) resolution of the grievance must occur within ten (10) business days unless circumstances dictate a longer ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP XI time frame. The youth shall be notified of any delay; and, (h) the policy shall provide multiple internal and external methods to report sexual abuse and sexual harassment. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP II Whether or not associated with a grievance, concerns of parents, guardians, staff or other parties shall be ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP XIII addressed and documented in accordance with written policies and procedures within a specified timeframe. 1371 PROGRAMS, RECREATION, AND EXERCISE. J-106 Recreation GP I The facility administrator shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for programs, recreation, and exercise for all youth. The intent is to The IGJJCC continues to provide numerous minimize the amount of time youth are in their rooms or programming and service opportunities, their bed area. facilitated by the Program Specialist, a Peer Specialist, two Wellpath Behavior Health Service staff, and eight GEO Program Monitors/Facilitators. ☒ ☐ ☐ We spoke with the Program Specialist, Shannon High, who is tasked with coordinating the Behavior Management process for activities, programming, and incentives, as well as developing the Program Schedule with GEO facilitators. The GEO Group supports eight positions to work with youth on numerous curriculum- based alternatives to address the population needs with individual and group programs. Juvenile facilities shall provide the opportunity for programs, recreation, and exercise a minimum of three J-106 GP II hours a day during the week and five hours a day each ☒ ☐ ☐ Saturday, Sunday or other non-school days, of which one hour shall be an outdoor activity, weather permitting. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 18 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS A youth’s participation in programs, recreation, and exercise may be suspended only upon a written finding J-106 GP III by the administrator/manager or designee that a youth ☒ ☐ ☐ represents a threat to the safety and security of the facility. Such program, recreation, and exercise schedule shall be posted in the living units. ☒ ☐ ☐ J-106 GP II There will be a written annual review of the programs, recreation, and exercise by the responsible agency to ☒ ☐ ☐ J-106 GP X ensure content offered is current, consistent, and relevant to the population. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 19 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 (a) Programs. All youth shall be provided with the opportunity for at least one hour of daily programming to J-106 Structured Recreation, I include, but not be limited to, trauma focused, cognitive, evidence-based, best practice interventions that are culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate, or pro- social interventions and activities designed to reduce Programs facilitated by the Peer Specialists recidivism. These programs should be based on the and GEO Monitors/Facilitators are fully youth’s individual needs as required by Sections 1355 operational. We were provided a schedule and 1356. Such programs may be provided under the and observed youth involved while on-site. direction of the Chief Probation Officer or the County Office of Education and can be administered by county partners such as mental health agencies, community GEO Programs include: Anger Management based organizations, faith-based organizations or 1- Managing Aggression and Violence; Anger Probation staff. Management 2- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Management; Cognitive Behavior Programs may include but are not limited to: Interventions: Substance Use Programming (1) Cognitive Behavior Interventions; via University of Cincinnati; Power Source Program - Coping, Life Skills, Trauma and (2) Management of Stress and Trauma; Family Relationships; Family Engagement – 1) National Fatherhood Initiative Inside/Out (3) Anger Management; Dad, 2) Nurturing Parenting Program, and 3) (4) Conflict Resolution; Partners in Parenting; Phoenix New Freedom Gang Intervention Program; Healthy (5) Juvenile Justice System; Relationships – Adolescents; Interactive Journaling – topics include: What Got Me (6) Trauma-related interventions; Here, Individualized Change Plan, (7) Victim Awareness; Responsible Behavior, Re-Entry Planning, ☒ ☐ ☐ Handling Difficult Feelings, Relationships and (8) Self-Improvement; Communication, Victim Awareness, (9) Parenting Skills and support; Substance Abusing Behavior, and, Family; Juvenile Moral Recognition Therapy; Life (10) Tolerance and Diversity; Skills; Motivational Enhancement 1- Getting Motivated to Change; Motivational (11) Healing Informed Approaches; Enhancement 2- Texas Christian University (12) Interventions by Credible Messengers; Mapping (visual counseling strategy); Social Skills; Substance Abuse program – Living in (13) Gender Specific Programming; Balance; Trauma 1- Voices; Trauma 2- A Young Man’s Guide to Self-Mastery; and (14) Art, creative writing, or self-expression; Victim Impact – Listen and Learn. Each (15) CPR and First Aid training; program offers best-practice alternatives and responses to measures that are outcome- (16) Restorative Justice or Civic Engagement; driven. (17) Career and leadership opportunities; and, (18) Other topics suitable to the youth population. In addition to the programs provided above, the MCOE provides the following: Online College with Merced City College; Career Technical Education; Regional Occupation Program (ROP) which includes Culinary Essentials, Logistics and Warehouse (forklift operation), Rise to Higher Grounds Café, and Solar Technology. BCA and SYTF youth are afforded more programming 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 20 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS opportunities due to their commitment and longer stays. Probation staff facilitate Work-Landscape- Agriculture (WLA), Creative Writing, and Book Club. (b) Recreation. All youth shall be provided the opportunity for at least one hour of daily access to unscheduled J-106 Unstructured Recreation activities such as leisure reading, letter writing, and entertainment. Activities shall be supervised and include orientation and may include coaching of youth. ☒ ☐ ☐ Youth receive more than one hour daily of activities, including leisure reading, television, phone calls, tablet use, arts and crafts, and cooking. (c) Exercise. All youth shall be provided with the opportunity for at least one hour of large muscle activity J-106 Procedures each day. ☒ ☐ ☐ Youth participate in one hour of exercise daily, outside if weather permits. The administrator/manager may suspend, for a period not to exceed 24 hours, access to recreation and programs. ☒ ☐ ☐ J-106 GP IX The administrator/manager shall document the reasons why suspension of recreation and programs occurs. 7327 Merced Juvenile Justice Corr Complex JH Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 21 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 JUVENILE HALLS, SPECIAL PURPOSE JUVENILE HALLS AND CAMPS Board of State and Community Corrections PROCEDURES CHECKLIST1 BSCC Code: 7328 FACILITY NAME: Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Complex – FACILITY TYPE: SYTF Secure Youth Treatment Program PERSON(S) INTERVIEWED: Chris Henn, Chief Probation Officer; Ben Rodrigue, Chief Deputy Probation Officer; Jennifer Medeiros, Division Manager; Channon High, Probation Program Specialist; Michael Reyes, GEO Program Manager II; Youth: Alex, age 19 – SYTF; Cuantomac, age 19 – CA; Savannah, age 17 – CA. FIELD REPRESENTATIVE: Elizabeth Gong DATE: July 17, 2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1321 STAFFING Each juvenile facility shall: D-102, GP I (a) 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 The Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional and staff, and meet established standards and Complex (IGJJCC) has seven Supervising regulations; Juvenile Institution Officers (SJIO), four JIO III’s and 23 JIO Youth Supervision staff. All but three are core trained and have completed PC 832. There are eight vacancies in the JIO I/II series and three in the JIO III series. ☒ ☐ ☐ The shift patterns include 8-, 10-, and 12-hour rotations, with sufficient overlap coverage with DPOs for evening program. The vacancies are fewer than in 2023, however, DPOs continue to work shifts in the facility. The facility has continued to utilize a Program Specialist and a Peer Support Specialist to assist youth supervision staff with the programming requirements, allowing youth supervision staff to concentrate on the safety and security operational elements of the day- to-day responsibilities. The agency continues 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 Juvenile Facilities, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 5 for the complete list and text of regulations. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 1 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS to utilize GEO, which has eight staff who monitor and facilitate programs. (b) ensure that no required services shall be denied because of insufficient numbers of staff on duty absent D-102 exigent circumstances; The agency meets the required operational ☒ ☐ ☐ needs for the youth. Although the agency has numerous vacancies in the JIO series, volunteers from the Probation Officer classification, as well as JIO overtime, allow for full operational responsibilities. (c) have a sufficient number of supervisory level staff to ensure adequate supervision of all staff members; D-102, GP II ☒ ☐ ☐ The IGJJCC has seven Supervising Juvenile Institution Officers, with one on duty at all times. (d) have a clearly identified person on duty at all times who is responsible for operations and activities and has ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP III completed the Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course and PC 832 training; (e) have at least one staff member present on each living unit whenever there are youth in the living unit; ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP IV (f) have sufficient food service personnel relative to the number and security of living units, including staff D-102, GP VIII, F qualified and available to: plan menus meeting nutritional requirements of youth; provide kitchen supervision; direct ☒ ☐ ☐ food preparation and servings; conduct related training programs for culinary staff; and maintain necessary Food services are provided by Trinity Food via records; or, a facility may serve food that meets nutritional the Merced County Jail. standards prepared by an outside source; (g) have sufficient administrative, clerical, recreational, medical, dental, mental health, building maintenance, D-102, GP VIII transportation, control room, facility security and other support staff for the efficient management of the facility, ☒ ☐ ☐ and to ensure that youth supervision staff shall not be diverted from supervising youth; and, Ancillary staff are not included as youth supervision staff. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 2 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (h) assign sufficient youth supervision staff to provide continuous wide awake supervision of youth, subject to D-102, GP V temporary variations in staff assignments to meet special ☒ ☐ ☐ program needs. Staffing shall be in compliance with a minimum youth-staff ratio for the following facility types: (1) Juvenile Halls (A) during the hours that youth are awake, one D-102, GP V, A Juvenile Hall wide-awake youth supervision staff member on duty for each 10 youth in detention; Although the juvenile justice complex has vacancies in the youth supervision staff series ☒ ☐ ☐ (eight), all shifts are sufficiently covered. The agency has solicited DPO staff to assist in coverage. We note the program providers provide great relief to facilitation of programs allowing them to concentrate on youth supervision responsibilities. (B) during the hours that youth are confined to their room for the purpose of sleeping, one wide-awake ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP VI, A youth supervision staff member on duty for each 30 youth in detention; (C) at least two wide-awake youth supervision staff members on duty at all times, regardless of the D-102, GP VI, B number of youth in detention, unless an ☒ ☐ ☐ arrangement has been made for backup support services which allow for immediate response to emergencies; and, (D) at least one youth supervision staff member on duty who is the same gender as youth housed in ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP VII the facility. (E) personnel with primary responsibility for other duties such as administration, supervision of D-102, GP VIII personnel, academic or trade instruction, clerical, ☒ ☐ ☐ kitchen or maintenance shall not be classified as youth supervision staff positions. (2) Special Purpose Juvenile Halls (A) during hours that youth are awake, one wide- ☐ ☐ ☒ This is not a Special Purpose Juvenile Hall. awake youth supervision staff member on duty for each 10 youth in detention; (B) during the hours that youth are confined to their room for the purpose of sleeping, one wide-awake ☐ ☐ ☒ youth supervision staff member on duty for each 30 youth in detention; 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 3 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (C) at least two wide-awake youth supervision staff members on duty at all times, regardless of the number of youth in detention, unless an ☐ ☐ ☒ arrangement has been made for backup support services which allow for immediate response to emergencies; and, (D) at least one youth supervision staff member on duty who is the same gender as youth housed in ☐ ☐ ☒ the facility. (E) personnel with primary responsibility for other duties such as administration, supervision of personnel, academic or trade instruction, clerical, ☐ ☐ ☒ kitchen or maintenance shall not be classified as youth supervision staff positions. (3) Camps (A) during the hours that youth are awake, one ☐ ☐ ☒ This is not a Camp. wide-awake youth supervision staff member on duty for each 15 youth in the camp population; (B) during the hours that youth are confined to their room for the purpose of sleeping, one wide-awake ☐ ☐ ☒ youth supervision staff member on duty for each 30 youth present in the facility; (C) at least two wide-awake youth supervision staff members on duty at all times, regardless of the number of youth in residence, unless ☐ ☐ ☒ arrangements have been made for backup support services which allow for immediate response to emergencies; (D) at least one youth supervision staff member on duty who is the same gender as youth housed in ☐ ☐ ☒ the facility; (E) in addition to the minimum staff to youth ratio required in (h)(3)(A)-(B), consideration shall be given to the size, design, and location of the camp; types of youth committed to the camp; and the ☐ ☐ ☒ function of the camp in determining the level of supervision necessary to maintain the safety and welfare of youth and staff; (F) personnel with primary responsibility for other duties such as administration, supervision of personnel, academic or trade instruction, clerical, ☐ ☐ ☒ farm, forestry, kitchen or maintenance shall not be classified as youth supervision staff positions. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 4 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1328 SAFETY CHECKS The facility administrator shall develop and implement G-118 GP I-III policy and procedures that provide for direct visual observation of youth at a minimum of every 15 minutes, G-118 Room Check Procedure I-VI at random or varied intervals during hours when youth are asleep or when youth are in their rooms, confined in holding cells or confined to their bed in a dormitory. We reviewed safety check log audits for Supervision is not replaced, but may be supplemented January, March, and May 2024. We found by, an audio/visual electronic surveillance system most checks are between 6-13 minutes, with designed to detect overt, aggressive or assaultive very few late or patterned checks. Each behavior and to summon aid in emergencies. All safety ☒ ☐ ☐ included an administrative audit with camera checks shall be documented with the actual time the review by the SJIO. check is completed. The agency physical plant allows for checks to be accomplished while still providing supervision audibly and visually. JIO staff provide notations of youth location and any occupied room notations as to the reason a youth is in their room. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 5 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1329 SUICIDE PREVENTION PLAN The facility administrator, in collaboration with the G-109 Suicide Identification Program healthcare and behavioral/mental health administrators, shall plan and implement written policies and procedures Y-G-05 Wellpath Suicide Prevention Program which delineate a Suicide Prevention Plan. The plan shall consider the needs of youth experiencing past or current trauma. Suicide prevention responses shall be The IGJJCC had five youth involved in respectful and in the least invasive manner consistent documented suicide behaviors, two of which with the level of suicide risk. The plan shall include the included an I-1 (Safety Room) placement so following elements: far in 2024. Four of the five incidents had continuous and ongoing BH reviews with Wellpath. One incident involved a youth placement on Suicide Watch (SW), beginning on a Friday at admission and placed by Wellpath admitting Medical Staff. Follow-up by Behavior Health (BH) did not occur until Monday even though on-call was notified timely. All five incidents involved two – five days of ☒ ☐ ☐ SW but we noted youth were able to participate in programming during the more structured supervision. We found one of the five incidents was a 23- year-old SYTF youth, who is a Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) returnee and is being housed in Merced at the request of Mendocino County when DJJ closed. This youth has significant Mental Health (MH) and Behavior issues. While on-site, he was placed on a 5150 Hold due to his MH behaviors. Wellpath has improved over their last review during the on-site inspection in 2023, however, we provided technical assistance for Facility Administrators to be notified and provide follow-up for these low-frequency, high-risk events to ensure timely and continuous responses. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 6 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (a) Suicide prevention training as required in Section 1322, Youth Supervision Staff Orientation, and Training G-109 Admission Procedures V, A-N and the Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course. ☒ ☐ ☐ All youth supervision staff complete Suicide Prevention Training annually. (b) Screening, Identification Assessment and Precautionary Protocols G-109 Screening Identification Assessment (1) All youth shall be screened for risk of suicide at intake and as needed during detention. ☒ ☐ ☐ The IGJJCC utilizes the MAYSI-2 Instrument to assess the risk of suicide for youth at admission. (2) All youth supervision staff who perform intake processes shall be trained in screening youth for risk ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Admission Procedures V, A of suicide. (3) All youth who have been identified during the intake screening process to be at risk of suicide shall G-109 Admission Procedures IV, A be referred to behavioral/mental health staff for a suicide risk assessment. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Screening Identification Assessment II, A-C (4) Precautionary protocols shall be developed to ensure the youth’s safety pending the ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures I-VIII behavioral/mental health assessment. (c) Referral process to behavioral/mental health staff for assessment and/or services. G-109 Admission Procedures IV, A. V, and K ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Screening Identification Assessment II, B (d) Procedures for monitoring of youth identified at risk for suicide. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures I-VIII 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 7 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (e) Safety Interventions (1) Procedures to address intervention protocols for G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures I-VIII youth identified at risk for suicide which may include, but are not limited to: G-109 II, B Suicide Intervention Procedures (A) Housing consideration ☒ ☐ ☐ (sleeping room) G-109 II, C (Safety Room) (B) Treatment strategies including trauma- informed approaches ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures II (2) Procedures to instruct youth supervision staff how to respond to youth who exhibit suicidal behaviors. G-109 I-VIII Suicide Intervention Procedures ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 I, A-E Suicide Intervention Procedures (f) Communication (1) The intake process shall include communication G-109 Admission Procedures I and II with the arresting officer and family guardians ☒ ☐ ☐ regarding the youth’s past or present suicidal G-109 Communication I-VII ideations, behaviors or attempts. (2) Procedures for clear and current information sharing about youth at risk for suicide with youth ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Communication I supervision, healthcare, and behavioral/mental health staff. (g) Debriefing of Critical Incidents Related to Suicides or Attempts G-109 Debriefing (1) Process for administrative review of the ☒ ☐ ☐ circumstances and responses proceeding, during G-109 Administrative Review and after the critical incident. (2) Process for a debriefing event with affected staff. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Debriefing I (3) Process for a debriefing event with affected youth. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Debriefing I 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 8 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (h) Documentation (1) Documentation processes shall be developed to G-109 E Suicide Attempt Procedure ensure compliance with this regulation G-109 II, G and H Suicide Intervention ☒ ☐ ☐ Procedures G-109 IV Admission Procedures Youth identified at risk for suicide shall not be denied the opportunity to participate in facility programs, services G-109 GP I and activities which are available to other non-suicidal youth, unless deemed necessary for the safety of the ☒ ☐ ☐ youth or security of the facility. Any deprivation of programs, services or activities for youth at risk of suicide shall be documented and approved by the facility manager. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 9 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1354.5 ROOM CONFINEMENT (a) The facility administrator shall develop and G-108 Room Confinement implement written policies and procedures addressing the confinement of youth in their room that are consistent with Welfare and Institutions Code Section We reviewed Room Confinement (RC) 208.3. The placement of a youth in room confinement processes and accompanying shall be accomplished in accordance with the following documentation. There has been one incident guidelines: of RC in 2024, involving a youth from Mendocino County being housed in Merced due to his ongoing needs. Our documentation review included all reports associated with the reason for placement from the incident report and safety check logs. Policy requires youth to be moved to intake for RC placement, which allows normal programming in the units to continue. ☒ ☐ ☐ We continued our discussion to highlight the differences between RC incidents and those involving Administrative Separation. The circumstances of the incidents are similar, with youth reintegrating into different forms of programming. We again provided technical assistance to refer to all safety and security behaviors as RC and consider reintegration into an Administrative Separation status. The documentation for both is clear and compliant with Title 15. IGJJCC staff have incorporated all elements of RC, utilizing the tool as a last resort and reintegrating youth as soon as possible. (1) Room confinement shall not be used before other, less restrictive, options have been attempted G-108 GP II and exhausted, unless attempting those options ☒ ☐ ☐ poses a threat to the safety or security of any youth or staff. (2) Room confinement shall not be used for the purposes of punishment, coercion, convenience, or ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP III retaliation by staff. (3) Room confinement shall not be used to the extent that it compromises the mental and physical health ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP IV of the youth. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 10 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (b) A youth may be held up to four hours in room confinement. After the youth has been held in room ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP confinement for a period of four hours, staff shall do one or more of the following: (1) Return the youth to general population. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I (2) Consult with mental health or medical staff. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, A (3) Develop an individualized plan that includes the goals and objectives to be met in order to reintegrate ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, B the youth to general population. (4) If room confinement must be extended beyond four hours, staff shall do each of the following: G-108 Continuation of RC (A) Document the reasons for room confinement and the basis for the extension, the date and time ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, C the youth was first placed in room confinement, and when he or she is eventually released from room confinement. (B) Develop an individualized plan that includes the goals and objectives to be met in order to ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, B integrate the youth to general population. (C) Obtain documented authorization by the facility superintendent or his or her designee ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, D every four hours thereafter. (5) This section is not intended to limit the use of single-person rooms or cells for the housing of youth ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP I in juvenile facilities and does not apply to normal sleeping hours. (6) This section does not apply to youth or wards in ☒ ☐ ☐ court holding facilities or adult facilities. (7) Nothing in this section shall be construed to conflict with any law providing greater or additional ☒ ☐ ☐ protections to youth. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 11 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (8) This section does not apply during an extraordinary emergency circumstance that requires G-108 Procedures C a significant departure from normal institutional operations, including a natural disaster or facility- ☒ ☐ ☐ wide threat that poses an imminent and substantial risk of harm to multiple staff or youth. This exception shall apply for the shortest amount of time needed to address this imminent and substantial risk of harm. (9) This section does not apply when a youth is placed in a locked cell or sleeping room to treat and G-108 Procedures B protect against the spread of a communicable disease for the shortest amount of time required to reduce the risk of infection, with the written approval of a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, when the youth is not required to be in an infirmary for an ☒ ☐ ☐ illness. Additionally, this section does not apply when a youth is placed in a locked cell or sleeping room for required extended care after medical treatment with the written approval of a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, when the youth is not required to be in an infirmary for illness. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 12 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1357 USE OF FORCE The facility administrator, in cooperation with the H-112 Use of Force (UF) responsible physician, shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for the use of force, which may include chemical agents. Force shall never The agency provided force incidents for be applied as punishment, discipline, retaliation or review, including youth-on-youth fights, riot treatment. behavior, threatening behavior toward staff, (a) At a minimum, each facility shall develop policies and and self-harm behavior. There were 17 procedures which: incidents so far in 2024, involving 38 youth of which ten included the use of OC spray. For SYTF youth, there were five incidents involving seven youth with OC deployment in each incident. Three of the five incidents involved the youth from Mendocino County. The incident reports were timely, informative, and within policy. Staff responses and actions appeared appropriate based on the comprehensive documentation submitted. The IGJJCC policy requires monthly ‘Inquiry Board’ meetings to audit/review all UF ☒ ☐ ☐ incidents, including the incident report and camera review. The findings made by administrators post review are that the staff acted lawfully, appropriately within policy, immediately in response to the identified threat, and/or the force was necessary. The review also identifies if the staff were appropriately trained to respond, objective and reasonable in their response, whether the staff precipitated the incident, and that the staff reacted professionally. We provided technical assistance to administrators to follow policy as we found the incidents for January and February were not reviewed by the Inquiry Review timely. Use of Force incidents continue to be reduced from previous inspections by more than 52%, noting there were 17 in the first seven months of 2024 versus 37 in the same time period in 2023. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 13 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (1) restricts the use of force to that which is deemed reasonable and necessary, as defined in Section ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Use of Force Defined 1302 to ensure the safety and security of youth, staff, others and the facility. (2) outline the force options available to staff including both physical and non-physical options and define H-112 Defense Options Defined when those force options are appropriate. ☒ ☐ ☐ The IGJJCC continuum includes: Officer Presence, Counseling, Verbal Commands, Empty Hand Controls, Defensive Tactics, and OC Spray. (3) describe force options or techniques that are expressly prohibited by the facility. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Prohibited Techniques (4) describe the requirements of staff to report any inappropriate use of force, and to take affirmative ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 GP I, I action to immediately stop it. (5) define a standardized reporting format that includes time period and procedure for documenting H-112 Documentation of Use of Force I and reporting the use of force, including reporting requirements of management and line staff and H-112 Incident Reports I, A-I procedures for reviewing and tracking use of force incidents by supervisory and or management staff, ☒ ☐ ☐ which include procedures for debriefing a particular incident with staff and/or youth for the purposes of training as well as mitigating the effects of trauma that may have been experienced by staff and /or the youth involved. (6) Include an administrative review and a system for investigating unreasonable use of force. H-112 Administrative Review of Use of Force ☒ ☐ ☐ I, A-H (7) define the role, notification, and follow-up procedures required after use of force incidents for H-112 Medical Referral or Treatment I, A-B medical, mental health staff and parents or legal guardians. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Mental Health Referral or Treatment I H-112 Notification I (8) describe the limitations of use of force on pregnant youth in accordance with Penal Code Section 6030(f) H-112 GP II and Welfare and Institutions Code Section 222. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-116 Procedure III Pregnant Youth 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 14 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (b) Facilities that authorize chemical agents as a force option shall include policies and procedures that: H-112 Defense Options VI OC Spray (1) identify who is approved to carry and/or utilize chemical agents in the facility and the type, size and H-112 Training Requirements for Physical the approved method of deployment for those and OC Spray Force Interventions I and II chemical agents. ☒ ☐ ☐ There were 17 youth impacted by ten incidents of OC use so far in 2024. For SYTF youth, seven youth were impacted. Our review of incidents revealed the IGJJCC staff exhausts efforts to de-escalate incidents before the use of OC Spray. (2) mandate that chemical agents only be used when there is an imminent threat to the youth’s safety or the ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Defense Options VI OC Spray safety of others and only when de-escalation efforts have been unsuccessful or are not reasonably possible. (3) outline the facility’s approved methods and timelines for decontamination from chemical agents. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical This shall include that youth who have been exposed ☒ ☐ ☐ and OC Spray Force Interventions VIII to chemical agents shall not be left unattended until that youth is fully decontaminated or is no longer suffering the effects of the chemical agent. (4) define the role, notification, and follow-up procedures required after use of force incidents H-112 Documentation of Use of Force I involving chemical agents for medical, mental health staff and parents or legal guardians. H-112 Incident Reports I, A-I H-112 Administrative Review of Use of Force I, A-H ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Medical Referral or Treatment I, A-B H-112 Mental Health Referral or Treatment I H-112 Notification I (5) provide for the documentation of each incident of use of chemical agents, including the reasons for H-112 Documentation of Use of Force I which it was used, efforts to de-escalate prior to use, youth and staff involved, the date, time and location ☒ ☐ ☐ of use, decontamination procedures applied and identification of any injuries sustained as a result of such use. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 15 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (c) Facilities shall develop policies and procedure which require that agencies provide initial and regular training H-112 Training Requirements for Physical in use of force and chemical agents when appropriate and OC Spray Force Interventions VIII that address: ☒ ☐ ☐ (1) known medical and behavioral health conditions H-112 GP II that would contraindicate certain types of force; (2) acceptable chemical agents and the methods of application. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical ☒ ☐ ☐ and OC Spray Force Interventions V, VI, VII (3) signs or symptoms that should result in immediate referral to medical or behavioral health. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical and OC Spray Force Interventions VIII ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Medical Referral or Treatment I, A-B H-112 Mental Health Referral or Treatment I (4) instruction on the Constitutional Limitations of Use of Force. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Grievances on the Use of Force (5) physical training force options that may require the use of perishable skills. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical and OC Spray Force Interventions III H-112 Training Requirements for Physical and OC Spray Force Interventions IV ☒ ☐ ☐ Staff at the IGJJCC are required to complete three annual trainings on the use of force, including OC Spray. (6) timelines the facility uses to define regular training. The IGJJCC requires staff to complete significant training prior to being authorized to ☒ ☐ ☐ carry OC Spray with a minimum of three updated trainings annually. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 16 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1361 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE The facility administrator shall develop and implement G-122 GP I Grievances written policies and procedures whereby any youth may appeal and have resolved grievances relating to any condition of confinement, including but not limited to There have been 82 grievances filed so far in health care services, classification decisions, program 2024, 33 in SYTF, all filed by the same youth participation, telephone, mail or visiting procedures, from Mendocino County. food, clothing, bedding, mistreatment, harassment or violations of the nondiscrimination policy. There shall be no time limit on filing grievances. Policies and ☒ ☐ ☐ We reviewed grievance logs and reports, procedures shall include provisions whereby the facility noting receipt and resolution occurred in 1-3 manager ensures: days. The staff articulate a response and communicate findings with youth and involved staff in a timely manner. In almost all grievances, the Division Manager communicates with the youth as a means of dialogue and checking in. (a) a grievance form and instructions for registering a grievance, which includes provisions for the youth to ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP III have free access to the form; (b) the youth shall have the option to confidentially file the grievance or to deliver the form to any youth ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP IV supervision staff working in the facility; (c) resolution of the grievance at the lowest appropriate staff level; ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP V (d) provision for a prompt review and initial response to grievances within three (3) business days, grievances ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP VI that relate to health and safety issues must be addressed immediately; (1) The youth may elect to be present to explain his/her version of the grievance to a person not ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP VII directly involved in the circumstances which led to the grievance. (2) Provision for a staff representative approved by the facility administrator to assist the youth. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP VIII (e) provision for a written response to the grievance which includes the reasons for the decisions; ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP IX 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 17 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (f) a system which provides that any appeal of a grievance shall be heard by a person not directly ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP X involved in the circumstances which led to the grievance; (g) resolution of the grievance must occur within ten (10) business days unless circumstances dictate a longer ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP XI time frame. The youth shall be notified of any delay; and, (h) the policy shall provide multiple internal and external methods to report sexual abuse and sexual harassment. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP II Whether or not associated with a grievance, concerns of parents, guardians, staff or other parties shall be ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP XIII addressed and documented in accordance with written policies and procedures within a specified timeframe. 1371 PROGRAMS, RECREATION, AND EXERCISE. J-106 Recreation GP I The facility administrator shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for programs, recreation, and exercise for all youth. The intent is to The IGJJCC continues to provide numerous minimize the amount of time youth are in their rooms or programming and service opportunities, their bed area. facilitated by the Program Specialist, a Peer Specialist, two Wellpath Behavior Health Service staff, and eight GEO Program Monitors/Facilitators. ☒ ☐ ☐ We spoke with the Program Specialist, Shannon High, who is tasked with coordinating the Behavior Management process for activities, programming, and incentives, as well as developing the Program Schedule with GEO facilitators. The GEO Group supports eight positions to work with youth on numerous curriculum- based alternatives to address the population needs with individual and group programs. Juvenile facilities shall provide the opportunity for programs, recreation, and exercise a minimum of three J-106 GP II hours a day during the week and five hours a day each ☒ ☐ ☐ Saturday, Sunday or other non-school days, of which one hour shall be an outdoor activity, weather permitting. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 18 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS A youth’s participation in programs, recreation, and exercise may be suspended only upon a written finding J-106 GP III by the administrator/manager or designee that a youth ☒ ☐ ☐ represents a threat to the safety and security of the facility. Such program, recreation, and exercise schedule shall be posted in the living units. ☒ ☐ ☐ J-106 GP II There will be a written annual review of the programs, recreation, and exercise by the responsible agency to ☒ ☐ ☐ J-106 GP X ensure content offered is current, consistent, and relevant to the population. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 19 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 (a) Programs. All youth shall be provided with the opportunity for at least one hour of daily programming to J-106 Structured Recreation, I include, but not be limited to, trauma focused, cognitive, evidence-based, best practice interventions that are culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate, or pro- social interventions and activities designed to reduce Programs facilitated by the Peer Specialists recidivism. These programs should be based on the and GEO Monitors/Facilitators are fully youth’s individual needs as required by Sections 1355 operational. We were provided a schedule and 1356. Such programs may be provided under the and observed youth involved while on site. direction of the Chief Probation Officer or the County Office of Education and can be administered by county partners such as mental health agencies, community GEO Programs include: Anger Management based organizations, faith-based organizations or 1- Managing Aggression and Violence; Anger Probation staff. Management 2- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Management; Cognitive Behavior Programs may include but are not limited to: Interventions: Substance Use Programming (1) Cognitive Behavior Interventions; via University of Cincinnati; Power Source Program - Coping, Life Skills, Trauma and (2) Management of Stress and Trauma; Family Relationships; Family Engagement – 1) National Fatherhood Initiative Inside/Out (3) Anger Management; Dad, 2) Nurturing Parenting Program, and 3) (4) Conflict Resolution; Partners in Parenting; Phoenix New Freedom Gang Intervention Program; Healthy (5) Juvenile Justice System; Relationships – Adolescents; Interactive Journaling – topics include: What Got Me (6) Trauma-related interventions; Here, Individualized Change Plan, (7) Victim Awareness; Responsible Behavior, Re-Entry Planning, ☒ ☐ ☐ Handling Difficult Feelings, Relationships and (8) Self-Improvement; Communication, Victim Awareness, (9) Parenting Skills and support; Substance Abusing Behavior, and, Family; Juvenile Moral Recognition Therapy; Life (10) Tolerance and Diversity; Skills; Motivational Enhancement 1- Getting Motivated to Change; Motivational (11) Healing Informed Approaches; Enhancement 2- Texas Christian University (12) Interventions by Credible Messengers; Mapping (visual counseling strategy); Social Skills; Substance Abuse program – Living in (13) Gender Specific Programming; Balance; Trauma 1- Voices; Trauma 2- A Young Man’s Guide to Self-Mastery; and (14) Art, creative writing, or self-expression; Victim Impact – Listen and Learn. Each (15) CPR and First Aid training; program offers best-practice alternatives and responses to measures that are outcome- (16) Restorative Justice or Civic Engagement; driven. (17) Career and leadership opportunities; and, (18) Other topics suitable to the youth population. In addition to the programs provided above, the MCOE provides the following: Online College with Merced City College; Career Technical Education; Regional Occupation Program (ROP) which includes Culinary Essentials, Logistics and Warehouse (forklift operation), Rise to Higher Grounds Café, and Solar Technology. BCA and SYTF youth are afforded more programming 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 20 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS opportunities due to their commitment and longer stays. Probation staff facilitate Work-Landscape- Agriculture (WLA), Creative Writing, and Book Club. (b) Recreation. All youth shall be provided the opportunity for at least one hour of daily access to unscheduled J-106 Unstructured Recreation activities such as leisure reading, letter writing, and entertainment. Activities shall be supervised and include orientation and may include coaching of youth. ☒ ☐ ☐ Youth receive more than one hour daily of activities, including leisure reading, television, phone calls, tablet use, arts and crafts, and cooking. (c) Exercise. All youth shall be provided with the opportunity for at least one hour of large muscle activity J-106 Procedures each day. ☒ ☐ ☐ Youth participate in one hour of exercise daily, outside if weather permits. The administrator/manager may suspend, for a period not to exceed 24 hours, access to recreation and programs. ☒ ☐ ☐ J-106 GP IX The administrator/manager shall document the reasons why suspension of recreation and programs occurs. 7328 Merced County SYTF Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 21 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 JUVENILE HALLS, SPECIAL PURPOSE JUVENILE HALLS AND CAMPS Board of State and Community Corrections PROCEDURES CHECKLIST1 BSCC Code: 7330 FACILITY NAME: Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Complex – FACILITY TYPE: Camp Bear Creek Academy (BCA) PERSON(S) INTERVIEWED: Chris Henn, Chief Probation Officer; Ben Rodrigue, Chief Deputy Probation Officer; Jennifer Medeiros, Division Manager; Channon High, Probation Program Specialist; Michael Reyes, GEO Program Manager II; Youth: Alex, age 19 – SYTF; Cuantomac, age 19 – BCA; Savannah, age 17 – BCA. FIELD REPRESENTATIVE: Elizabeth Gong DATE: July 17, 2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1321 STAFFING Each juvenile facility shall: D-102, GP I (a) 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 The Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional and staff, and meet established standards and Complex (IGJJCC) has seven Supervising regulations; Juvenile Institution Officers (SJIO), four JIO III’s and 23 JIO Youth Supervision staff. All but three are core trained and have completed PC 832. There are eight vacancies in the JIO I/II series and three in the JIO III series. ☒ ☐ ☐ The shift patterns include 8-, 10-, and 12-hour rotations, with sufficient overlap coverage with DPOs for evening program. The vacancies are fewer than in 2023, however, DPOs continue to work shifts in the facility. The facility has continued to utilize a Program Specialist and a Peer Support Specialist to assist youth supervision staff with the programming requirements, allowing youth supervision staff to concentrate on the safety and security operational elements of the day- to-day responsibilities. The agency continues 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 Juvenile Facilities, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 5 for the complete list and text of regulations. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 1 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS to utilize GEO, which has eight staff who monitor and facilitate programs. (b) ensure that no required services shall be denied because of insufficient numbers of staff on duty absent D-102 exigent circumstances; The agency meets the required operational ☒ ☐ ☐ needs for the youth. Although the agency has numerous vacancies in the JIO series, volunteers from the Probation Officer classification, as well as JIO overtime, allow for full operational responsibilities. (c) have a sufficient number of supervisory level staff to ensure adequate supervision of all staff members; D-102, GP II ☒ ☐ ☐ The IGJJCC has seven Supervising Juvenile Institution Officers, with one on duty at all times. (d) have a clearly identified person on duty at all times who is responsible for operations and activities and has ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP III completed the Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course and PC 832 training; (e) have at least one staff member present on each living unit whenever there are youth in the living unit; ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP IV (f) have sufficient food service personnel relative to the number and security of living units, including staff D-102, GP VIII, F qualified and available to: plan menus meeting nutritional requirements of youth; provide kitchen supervision; direct ☒ ☐ ☐ food preparation and servings; conduct related training programs for culinary staff; and maintain necessary Food services are provided by Trinity Food via records; or, a facility may serve food that meets nutritional the Merced County Jail. standards prepared by an outside source; (g) have sufficient administrative, clerical, recreational, medical, dental, mental health, building maintenance, D-102, GP VIII transportation, control room, facility security and other support staff for the efficient management of the facility, ☒ ☐ ☐ and to ensure that youth supervision staff shall not be diverted from supervising youth; and, Ancillary staff are not included as youth supervision staff. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 2 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (h) assign sufficient youth supervision staff to provide continuous wide awake supervision of youth, subject to D-102, GP V temporary variations in staff assignments to meet special ☒ ☐ ☐ program needs. Staffing shall be in compliance with a minimum youth-staff ratio for the following facility types: (1) Juvenile Halls (A) during the hours that youth are awake, one ☐ ☐ ☒ BCA is not a Juvenile Hall. wide-awake youth supervision staff member on duty for each 10 youth in detention; (B) during the hours that youth are confined to their room for the purpose of sleeping, one wide-awake ☐ ☐ ☒ youth supervision staff member on duty for each 30 youth in detention; (C) at least two wide-awake youth supervision staff members on duty at all times, regardless of the number of youth in detention, unless an ☐ ☐ ☒ arrangement has been made for backup support services which allow for immediate response to emergencies; and, (D) at least one youth supervision staff member on duty who is the same gender as youth housed in ☐ ☐ ☒ the facility. (E) personnel with primary responsibility for other duties such as administration, supervision of personnel, academic or trade instruction, clerical, ☐ ☐ ☒ kitchen or maintenance shall not be classified as youth supervision staff positions. (2) Special Purpose Juvenile Halls (A) during hours that youth are awake, one wide- ☐ ☐ ☒ This is not a Special Purpose Juvenile Hall. awake youth supervision staff member on duty for each 10 youth in detention; (B) during the hours that youth are confined to their room for the purpose of sleeping, one wide-awake ☐ ☐ ☒ youth supervision staff member on duty for each 30 youth in detention; (C) at least two wide-awake youth supervision staff members on duty at all times, regardless of the number of youth in detention, unless an ☐ ☐ ☒ arrangement has been made for backup support services which allow for immediate response to emergencies; and, (D) at least one youth supervision staff member on duty who is the same gender as youth housed in ☐ ☐ ☒ the facility. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 3 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (E) personnel with primary responsibility for other duties such as administration, supervision of personnel, academic or trade instruction, clerical, ☐ ☐ ☒ kitchen or maintenance shall not be classified as youth supervision staff positions. (3) Camps (A) during the hours that youth are awake, one D-102, GP V, B Bear Creek Academy wide-awake youth supervision staff member on duty for each 15 youth in the camp population; Although the IGJJCC has vacancies in the ☒ ☐ ☐ youth supervision staff series (eight), all shifts are sufficiently covered. The agency has solicited DPO staff to assist in coverage. We noted the program providers provide great relief for staff. (B) during the hours that youth are confined to their room for the purpose of sleeping, one wide-awake ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP VI, A youth supervision staff member on duty for each 30 youth present in the facility; (C) at least two wide-awake youth supervision staff members on duty at all times, regardless of the D-102, GP VI, B number of youth in residence, unless ☒ ☐ ☐ arrangements have been made for backup support services which allow for immediate response to emergencies; (D) at least one youth supervision staff member on duty who is the same gender as youth housed in ☒ ☐ ☐ D-102, GP VII the facility; (E) in addition to the minimum staff to youth ratio required in (h)(3)(A)-(B), consideration shall be D-102, GP X given to the size, design, and location of the camp; types of youth committed to the camp; and the There were 14 BCA youth committed while on ☒ ☐ ☐ site, all housed in Units G and H. The one function of the camp in determining the level of female is housed in the unit with male youth. supervision necessary to maintain the safety and welfare of youth and staff; (F) personnel with primary responsibility for other duties such as administration, supervision of D-102, GP VIII personnel, academic or trade instruction, clerical, ☒ ☐ ☐ farm, forestry, kitchen or maintenance shall not be classified as youth supervision staff positions. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 4 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1328 SAFETY CHECKS The facility administrator shall develop and implement G-118 GP I-III policy and procedures that provide for direct visual observation of youth at a minimum of every 15 minutes, G-118 Room Check Procedure I-VI at random or varied intervals during hours when youth are asleep or when youth are in their rooms, confined in holding cells or confined to their bed in a dormitory. We reviewed safety check log audits for Supervision is not replaced, but may be supplemented January, March and May 2024. We found by, an audio/visual electronic surveillance system most checks are between 6-13 minutes, with designed to detect overt, aggressive or assaultive very few late or patterned checks. Each behavior and to summon aid in emergencies. All safety ☒ ☐ ☐ included an administrative audit with camera checks shall be documented with the actual time the review by the SJIO. check is completed. The agency physical plant allows for checks to be accomplished while still providing supervision audibly and visually. JIO staff provide notations of youth location and any occupied room notations as to the reason a youth is in their room. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 5 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1329 SUICIDE PREVENTION PLAN The facility administrator, in collaboration with the G-109 Suicide Identification Program healthcare and behavioral/mental health administrators, shall plan and implement written policies and procedures Y-G-05 Wellpath Suicide Prevention Program which delineate a Suicide Prevention Plan. The plan shall consider the needs of youth experiencing past or current trauma. Suicide prevention responses shall be The IGJJCC had five youth involved in respectful and in the least invasive manner consistent documented suicide behaviors, two of which with the level of suicide risk. The plan shall include the included an I-1 (Safety Room) placement so following elements: far in 2024. It is significant that no BCA youth were on such status so far in 2024. Four of the five incidents had continuous and ongoing BH reviews with Wellpath. One incident involved a youth placement on Suicide Watch (SW), beginning at admission and placed by Wellpath admitting Medical ☒ ☐ ☐ Staff. Follow-up by Behavior Health (BH) did not occur until Monday even though on-call was notified timely. All five incidents involved two – five days of SW but we noted youth were able to participate in programming during the more structured supervision. Wellpath has improved over their last review during the on-site inspection in 2023, however, we provided technical assistance for Facility Administrators to be notified and provide follow-up for these low-frequency, high-risk events to ensure timely and continuous responses. (a) Suicide prevention training as required in Section 1322, Youth Supervision Staff Orientation, and Training G-109 Admission Procedures V, A-N and the Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course. ☒ ☐ ☐ All youth supervision staff complete Suicide Prevention Training annually. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 6 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (b) Screening, Identification Assessment and Precautionary Protocols G-109 Screening Identification Assessment (1) All youth shall be screened for risk of suicide at intake and as needed during detention. ☒ ☐ ☐ The IGJJCC utilizes the MAYSI-2 Instrument to assess the risk of suicide for youth at admission. (2) All youth supervision staff who perform intake processes shall be trained in screening youth for risk ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Admission Procedures V, A of suicide. (3) All youth who have been identified during the intake screening process to be at risk of suicide shall G-109 Admission Procedures IV, A be referred to behavioral/mental health staff for a suicide risk assessment. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Screening Identification Assessment II, A-C (4) Precautionary protocols shall be developed to ensure the youth’s safety pending the ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures I-VIII behavioral/mental health assessment. (c) Referral process to behavioral/mental health staff for assessment and/or services. G-109 Admission Procedures IV, A. V, and K ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Screening Identification Assessment II, B (d) Procedures for monitoring of youth identified at risk for suicide. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures I-VIII (e) Safety Interventions (1) Procedures to address intervention protocols for G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures I-VIII youth identified at risk for suicide which may include, but are not limited to: G-109 II, B Suicide Intervention Procedures (A) Housing consideration ☒ ☐ ☐ (sleeping room) G-109 II, C (Safety Room) 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 7 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (B) Treatment strategies including trauma- informed approaches ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Suicide Intervention Procedures II (2) Procedures to instruct youth supervision staff how to respond to youth who exhibit suicidal behaviors. G-109 I-VIII Suicide Intervention Procedures ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 I, A-E Suicide Intervention Procedures (f) Communication (1) The intake process shall include communication G-109 Admission Procedures I and II with the arresting officer and family guardians ☒ ☐ ☐ regarding the youth’s past or present suicidal G-109 Communication I-VII ideations, behaviors or attempts. (2) Procedures for clear and current information sharing about youth at risk for suicide with youth ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Communication I supervision, healthcare, and behavioral/mental health staff. (g) Debriefing of Critical Incidents Related to Suicides or Attempts G-109 Debriefing (1) Process for administrative review of the ☒ ☐ ☐ circumstances and responses proceeding, during G-109 Administrative Review and after the critical incident. (2) Process for a debriefing event with affected staff. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Debriefing I (3) Process for a debriefing event with affected youth. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-109 Debriefing I 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 8 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (h) Documentation (1) Documentation processes shall be developed to G-109 E Suicide Attempt Procedure ensure compliance with this regulation G-109 II, G and H Suicide Intervention ☒ ☐ ☐ Procedures G-109 IV Admission Procedures Youth identified at risk for suicide shall not be denied the opportunity to participate in facility programs, services G-109 GP I and activities which are available to other non-suicidal youth, unless deemed necessary for the safety of the ☒ ☐ ☐ youth or security of the facility. Any deprivation of programs, services or activities for youth at risk of suicide shall be documented and approved by the facility manager. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 9 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1354.5 ROOM CONFINEMENT (a) The facility administrator shall develop and G-108 Room Confinement implement written policies and procedures addressing the confinement of youth in their room that are consistent with Welfare and Institutions Code Section We reviewed Room Confinement (RC) 208.3. The placement of a youth in room confinement processes and accompanying shall be accomplished in accordance with the following documentation. There has been one incident guidelines: of RC in 2024, none involving BCA youth. Our documentation review included all reports associated with the reason for placement from the incident report and safety check logs. Policy requires youth to be moved to intake for RC placement, which allows normal programming in the units to continue. ☒ ☐ ☐ We continued our discussion to highlight the differences between RC incidents and those involving Administrative Separation. The circumstances of the incidents are similar, with youth reintegrating into different forms of programming. We again provided technical assistance to refer to all safety and security behaviors as RC and consider reintegration into an Administrative Separation status. The documentation for both is clear and compliant with Title 15. IGJJCC staff have incorporated all elements of RC, utilizing the tool as a last resort and reintegrating youth as soon as possible. (1) Room confinement shall not be used before other, less restrictive, options have been attempted G-108 GP II and exhausted, unless attempting those options ☒ ☐ ☐ poses a threat to the safety or security of any youth or staff. (2) Room confinement shall not be used for the purposes of punishment, coercion, convenience, or ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP III retaliation by staff. (3) Room confinement shall not be used to the extent that it compromises the mental and physical health ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP IV of the youth. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 10 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (b) A youth may be held up to four hours in room confinement. After the youth has been held in room ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP confinement for a period of four hours, staff shall do one or more of the following: (1) Return the youth to general population. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I (2) Consult with mental health or medical staff. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, A (3) Develop an individualized plan that includes the goals and objectives to be met in order to reintegrate ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, B the youth to general population. (4) If room confinement must be extended beyond four hours, staff shall do each of the following: G-108 Continuation of RC (A) Document the reasons for room confinement and the basis for the extension, the date and time ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, C the youth was first placed in room confinement, and when he or she is eventually released from room confinement. (B) Develop an individualized plan that includes the goals and objectives to be met in order to ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, B integrate the youth to general population. (C) Obtain documented authorization by the facility superintendent or his or her designee ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 Continuation of RC I, D every four hours thereafter. (5) This section is not intended to limit the use of single-person rooms or cells for the housing of youth ☒ ☐ ☐ G-108 GP I in juvenile facilities and does not apply to normal sleeping hours. (6) This section does not apply to youth or wards in ☒ ☐ ☐ court holding facilities or adult facilities. (7) Nothing in this section shall be construed to conflict with any law providing greater or additional ☒ ☐ ☐ protections to youth. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 11 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (8) This section does not apply during an extraordinary emergency circumstance that requires G-108 Procedures C a significant departure from normal institutional operations, including a natural disaster or facility- ☒ ☐ ☐ wide threat that poses an imminent and substantial risk of harm to multiple staff or youth. This exception shall apply for the shortest amount of time needed to address this imminent and substantial risk of harm. (9) This section does not apply when a youth is placed in a locked cell or sleeping room to treat and G-108 Procedures B protect against the spread of a communicable disease for the shortest amount of time required to reduce the risk of infection, with the written approval of a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, when the youth is not required to be in an infirmary for an ☒ ☐ ☐ illness. Additionally, this section does not apply when a youth is placed in a locked cell or sleeping room for required extended care after medical treatment with the written approval of a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, when the youth is not required to be in an infirmary for illness. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 12 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1357 USE OF FORCE The facility administrator, in cooperation with the H-112 Use of Force (UF) responsible physician, shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for the use of force, which may include chemical agents. Force shall never The agency provided use of force incidents for be applied as punishment, discipline, retaliation or review, including youth-on-youth fights, riot treatment. behavior, threatening behavior toward staff, (a) At a minimum, each facility shall develop policies and and self-harm behavior. There were 17 procedures which: incidents so far in 2024, involving 38 youth of which ten included the use of OC spray. For BCA, there were nine incidents involving 14 youth with OC deployment in two incidents. The incident reports were timely, informative and within policy. Staff responses and actions appeared appropriate based on the comprehensive documentation submitted. The IGJJCC policy requires monthly ‘Inquiry Board’ meetings to audit/review all UF incidents, including the incident report and ☒ ☐ ☐ camera review. The findings made by administrators post review are that the staff acted lawfully, appropriately within policy, immediately in response to the identified threat, and/or the force was necessary. The review also identifies if the staff were appropriately trained to respond, objective and reasonable in their response, whether the staff precipitated the incident, and that the staff reacted professionally. We provided technical assistance to administrators to follow policy as we found the incidents for January and February were not reviewed by the Inquiry Review timely. Use of Force incidents continue to be reduced from previous inspections by more than 52%, noting there were 17 in the first seven months of 2024 versus 37 in the same time period in 2023. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 13 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (1) restricts the use of force to that which is deemed reasonable and necessary, as defined in Section ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Use of Force Defined 1302 to ensure the safety and security of youth, staff, others and the facility. (2) outline the force options available to staff including both physical and non-physical options and define H-112 Defense Options Defined when those force options are appropriate. ☒ ☐ ☐ The IGJJCC continuum includes: Officer Presence, Counseling, Verbal Commands, Empty Hand Controls, Defensive Tactics, and OC Spray. (3) describe force options or techniques that are expressly prohibited by the facility. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Prohibited Techniques (4) describe the requirements of staff to report any inappropriate use of force, and to take affirmative ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 GP I, I action to immediately stop it. (5) define a standardized reporting format that includes time period and procedure for documenting H-112 Documentation of Use of Force I and reporting the use of force, including reporting requirements of management and line staff and H-112 Incident Reports I, A-I procedures for reviewing and tracking use of force incidents by supervisory and or management staff, ☒ ☐ ☐ which include procedures for debriefing a particular incident with staff and/or youth for the purposes of training as well as mitigating the effects of trauma that may have been experienced by staff and /or the youth involved. (6) Include an administrative review and a system for investigating unreasonable use of force. H-112 Administrative Review of Use of Force ☒ ☐ ☐ I, A-H (7) define the role, notification, and follow-up procedures required after use of force incidents for H-112 Medical Referral or Treatment I, A-B medical, mental health staff and parents or legal guardians. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Mental Health Referral or Treatment I H-112 Notification I (8) describe the limitations of use of force on pregnant youth in accordance with Penal Code Section 6030(f) H-112 GP II and Welfare and Institutions Code Section 222. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-116 Procedure III Pregnant Youth 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 14 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (b) Facilities that authorize chemical agents as a force option shall include policies and procedures that: H-112 Defense Options VI OC Spray (1) identify who is approved to carry and/or utilize chemical agents in the facility and the type, size and H-112 Training Requirements for Physical the approved method of deployment for those and OC Spray Force Interventions I and II chemical agents. ☒ ☐ ☐ There were 17 youth impacted by ten incidents of OC use so far in 2024. For BCA, four youth were impacted. Our review of incidents revealed the IGJJCC staff exhausts efforts to de-escalate incidents before the use of OC Spray. (2) mandate that chemical agents only be used when there is an imminent threat to the youth’s safety or the ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Defense Options VI OC Spray safety of others and only when de-escalation efforts have been unsuccessful or are not reasonably possible. (3) outline the facility’s approved methods and timelines for decontamination from chemical agents. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical This shall include that youth who have been exposed ☒ ☐ ☐ and OC Spray Force Interventions VIII to chemical agents shall not be left unattended until that youth is fully decontaminated or is no longer suffering the effects of the chemical agent. (4) define the role, notification, and follow-up procedures required after use of force incidents H-112 Documentation of Use of Force I involving chemical agents for medical, mental health staff and parents or legal guardians. H-112 Incident Reports I, A-I H-112 Administrative Review of Use of Force I, A-H ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Medical Referral or Treatment I, A-B H-112 Mental Health Referral or Treatment I H-112 Notification I (5) provide for the documentation of each incident of use of chemical agents, including the reasons for H-112 Documentation of Use of Force I which it was used, efforts to de-escalate prior to use, youth and staff involved, the date, time and location ☒ ☐ ☐ of use, decontamination procedures applied and identification of any injuries sustained as a result of such use. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 15 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (c) Facilities shall develop policies and procedure which require that agencies provide initial and regular training H-112 Training Requirements for Physical in use of force and chemical agents when appropriate and OC Spray Force Interventions VIII that address: ☒ ☐ ☐ (1) known medical and behavioral health conditions H-112 GP II that would contraindicate certain types of force; (2) acceptable chemical agents and the methods of application. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical ☒ ☐ ☐ and OC Spray Force Interventions V, VI, VII (3) signs or symptoms that should result in immediate referral to medical or behavioral health. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical and OC Spray Force Interventions VIII ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Medical Referral or Treatment I, A-B H-112 Mental Health Referral or Treatment I (4) instruction on the Constitutional Limitations of Use of Force. ☒ ☐ ☐ H-112 Grievances on the Use of Force (5) physical training force options that may require the use of perishable skills. H-112 Training Requirements for Physical and OC Spray Force Interventions III H-112 Training Requirements for Physical and OC Spray Force Interventions IV ☒ ☐ ☐ Staff at the IGJJCC are required to complete three annual trainings on the use of force, including OC Spray. (6) timelines the facility uses to define regular training. The IGJJCC requires staff to complete significant training prior to being authorized to ☒ ☐ ☐ carry OC Spray with a minimum of three updated trainings annually. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 16 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1361 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE The facility administrator shall develop and implement G-122 GP I Grievances written policies and procedures whereby any youth may appeal and have resolved grievances relating to any condition of confinement, including but not limited to There have been 82 grievances filed so far in health care services, classification decisions, program 2024, 27 in detention and, of those, five filed participation, telephone, mail or visiting procedures, by one youth. food, clothing, bedding, mistreatment, harassment or violations of the nondiscrimination policy. There shall be ☒ ☐ ☐ no time limit on filing grievances. Policies and We reviewed grievance logs and reports. The procedures shall include provisions whereby the facility staff articulate a response and communicate manager ensures: findings with youth and involved staff in a timely manner. In almost all grievances, the Program manager communicates with the youth as a means of dialogue and checking in. (a) a grievance form and instructions for registering a grievance, which includes provisions for the youth to ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP III have free access to the form; (b) the youth shall have the option to confidentially file the grievance or to deliver the form to any youth ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP IV supervision staff working in the facility; (c) resolution of the grievance at the lowest appropriate staff level; ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP V (d) provision for a prompt review and initial response to grievances within three (3) business days, grievances ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP VI that relate to health and safety issues must be addressed immediately; (1) The youth may elect to be present to explain his/her version of the grievance to a person not ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP VII directly involved in the circumstances which led to the grievance. (2) Provision for a staff representative approved by the facility administrator to assist the youth. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP VIII (e) provision for a written response to the grievance which includes the reasons for the decisions; ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP IX 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 17 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (f) a system which provides that any appeal of a grievance shall be heard by a person not directly ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP X involved in the circumstances which led to the grievance; (g) resolution of the grievance must occur within ten (10) business days unless circumstances dictate a longer ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP XI time frame. The youth shall be notified of any delay; and, (h) the policy shall provide multiple internal and external methods to report sexual abuse and sexual harassment. ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP II Whether or not associated with a grievance, concerns of parents, guardians, staff or other parties shall be ☒ ☐ ☐ G-122 GP XIII addressed and documented in accordance with written policies and procedures within a specified timeframe. 1371 PROGRAMS, RECREATION, AND EXERCISE. J-106 Recreation GP I The facility administrator shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for programs, recreation, and exercise for all youth. The intent is to The IGJJCC continues to provide numerous minimize the amount of time youth are in their rooms or programming and service opportunities, their bed area. facilitated by the Program Specialist, a Peer Specialist, two Wellpath Behavior Health Service staff, and eight GEO Program Monitors/Facilitators. ☒ ☐ ☐ We spoke with the Program Specialist, Shannon High, who is tasked with coordinating the Behavior Management process for activities, programming, and incentives, as well as developing the Program Schedule with GEO facilitators. The GEO Group supports eight positions to work with youth on numerous curriculum- based alternatives to address the population needs with individual and group programs. Juvenile facilities shall provide the opportunity for programs, recreation, and exercise a minimum of three J-106 GP II hours a day during the week and five hours a day each ☒ ☐ ☐ Saturday, Sunday or other non-school days, of which one hour shall be an outdoor activity, weather permitting. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 18 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS A youth’s participation in programs, recreation, and exercise may be suspended only upon a written finding J-106 GP III by the administrator/manager or designee that a youth ☒ ☐ ☐ represents a threat to the safety and security of the facility. Such program, recreation, and exercise schedule shall be posted in the living units. ☒ ☐ ☐ J-106 GP II There will be a written annual review of the programs, recreation, and exercise by the responsible agency to ☒ ☐ ☐ J-106 GP X ensure content offered is current, consistent, and relevant to the population. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 19 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 (a) Programs. All youth shall be provided with the opportunity for at least one hour of daily programming to J-106 Structured Recreation, I include, but not be limited to, trauma focused, cognitive, evidence-based, best practice interventions that are culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate, or pro- social interventions and activities designed to reduce Programs facilitated by the Peer Specialists recidivism. These programs should be based on the and GEO Monitors/Facilitators are fully youth’s individual needs as required by Sections 1355 operational. We were provided a schedule and 1356. Such programs may be provided under the and observed youth involved while on-site. direction of the Chief Probation Officer or the County Office of Education and can be administered by county partners such as mental health agencies, community GEO Programs include: Anger Management based organizations, faith-based organizations or 1- Managing Aggression and Violence; Anger Probation staff. Management 2- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Management; Cognitive Behavior Programs may include but are not limited to: Interventions: Substance Use Programming (1) Cognitive Behavior Interventions; via University of Cincinnati; Power Source Program - Coping, Life Skills, Trauma and (2) Management of Stress and Trauma; Family Relationships; Family Engagement – 1) National Fatherhood Initiative Inside/Out (3) Anger Management; Dad, 2) Nurturing Parenting Program, and 3) (4) Conflict Resolution; Partners in Parenting; Phoenix New Freedom Gang Intervention Program; Healthy (5) Juvenile Justice System; Relationships – Adolescents; Interactive Journaling – topics include: What Got Me (6) Trauma-related interventions; Here, Individualized Change Plan, (7) Victim Awareness; Responsible Behavior, Re-Entry Planning, ☒ ☐ ☐ Handling Difficult Feelings, Relationships and (8) Self-Improvement; Communication, Victim Awareness, (9) Parenting Skills and support; Substance Abusing Behavior, and, Family; Juvenile Moral Recognition Therapy; Life (10) Tolerance and Diversity; Skills; Motivational Enhancement 1- Getting Motivated to Change; Motivational (11) Healing Informed Approaches; Enhancement 2- Texas Christian University (12) Interventions by Credible Messengers; Mapping (visual counseling strategy); Social Skills; Substance Abuse program – Living in (13) Gender Specific Programming; Balance; Trauma 1- Voices; Trauma 2- A Young Man’s Guide to Self-Mastery; and (14) Art, creative writing, or self-expression; Victim Impact – Listen and Learn. Each (15) CPR and First Aid training; program offers best-practice alternatives and responses to measures that are outcome- (16) Restorative Justice or Civic Engagement; driven. (17) Career and leadership opportunities; and, (18) Other topics suitable to the youth population. In addition to the programs provided above, the MCOE provides the following: Online College with Merced City College; Career Technical Education; Regional Occupation Program (ROP) which includes Culinary Essentials, Logistics and Warehouse (forklift operation), Rise to Higher Grounds Café, and Solar Technology. BCA and SYTF youth are afforded more programming 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 20 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS opportunities due to their commitment and longer stays. Probation staff facilitate Work-Landscape- Agriculture (WLA), Creative Writing, and Book Club. (b) Recreation. All youth shall be provided the opportunity for at least one hour of daily access to unscheduled J-106 Unstructured Recreation activities such as leisure reading, letter writing, and entertainment. Activities shall be supervised and include orientation and may include coaching of youth. ☒ ☐ ☐ Youth receive more than one hour daily of activities, including leisure reading, television, phone calls, tablet use, arts and crafts, and cooking. (c) Exercise. All youth shall be provided with the opportunity for at least one hour of large muscle activity J-106 Procedures each day. ☒ ☐ ☐ Youth participate in one hour of exercise daily, outside if weather permits. The administrator/manager may suspend, for a period not to exceed 24 hours, access to recreation and programs. ☒ ☐ ☐ J-106 GP IX The administrator/manager shall document the reasons why suspension of recreation and programs occurs. 7330 Merced Bear Creek Academy Youth Camp Targeted PRO 23-24 Page 21 of 21 A453 JUV Targeted PRO eff. 1/2024