San Francisco JJC (2023-2024 inspection cycle)

December 19, 2024 Katherine Weinstein Miller Chief Juvenile Probation Officer San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department 375 Woodside Avenue San Francisco, CA 94127 2023-2024 UNANNOUNCED INSPECTION, WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTIONS 209 & 885, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT DETENTION FACILITIES Dear Chief Weinstein Miller: An Unannounced Inspection of the San Francisco County Probation Department’s Juvenile Justice Center has been completed. The focus of the inspection was the facility’s compliance with Title 15 Regulations, Section 1329 Suicide Prevention Plan, 1350 Admittance Procedures, and Section 1361 Grievance Procedure. An Unannounced inspection was conducted at the following facility on November 20, 2024: FACILITY NAME BSCC # FACILITY TYPE San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center (SFJJC) 7517 JH This inspection was 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 Title 15 Modified Procedures Checklist for detailed information. An Exit Briefing with your staff was held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024; BSCC staff presented an inspection overview and discussed technical assistance and best practice recommendations. * * * Please email me at forrest.coleman@bscc.ca.gov or call (916) 508-7559 if you have any questions. Katherine Weinstein Miller, Chief Probation Officer Page 2 Sincerely, FORREST COLEMAN Field Representative Facilities Standards and Operations Division Enclosures Cc: Presiding Judge, San Francisco County Juvenile Court* Chair, Juvenile Justice Commission, San Francisco County* Chair, Board of Supervisors, San Francisco County* County Administrator, San Francisco County* Shane Thomas, Director (Juvenile Hall), San Francisco County *Copies of the inspection are available upon request or online at www.bscc.ca.gov 7517 San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center JH Unannounced LTR 23-24 JUVENILE HALLS, SPECIAL PURPOSE JUVENILE HALLS AND CAMPS Board of State and Community Corrections PROCEDURES CHECKLIST1,2 BSCC Code: 7517 FACILITY NAME: San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center (SFJJC) FACILITY TYPE: JH PERSON(S) INTERVIEWED: Shane Thomas, Facility Director; Dale Tafoya, Assistant Director; Mona Tahsini, Medical/Behavioral Health Director FIELD REPRESENTATIVE: Forrest Coleman DATE: November 20, 2024 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1329 SUICIDE PREVENTION PLAN Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention The facility administrator, in collaboration with the Plan healthcare and behavioral/mental health administrators, shall plan and implement written policies and The facility administrator, in collaboration with procedures which delineate a Suicide Prevention Plan. Medical, and Mental Health-Special Programs ☒ ☐ ☐ The plan shall consider the needs of youth experiencing for Youth (SPY), adhere to the Suicide past or current trauma. Suicide prevention responses Prevention Plan that ensures that youth who shall be respectful and in the least invasive manner are consistent with the level of suicide risk. The plan shall include the following elements: (a) Suicide prevention training as required in Section Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure 1322, Youth Supervision Staff Orientation, and Training (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention and the Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course. Plan The elements of this regulation are confirmed in the Chief Probation Officer (CPO) Appointment and Qualifications Letter, written ☒ ☐ ☐ by CPO Katherine Weinstein Miller, and dated April 19, 2024. The annual suicide prevention refresher training for detention staff was conducted. Also, staff receive suicide prevention training during Counselor CORE training. 1 This document is intended for use as a tool during the 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. 2 This is a modified version of the Procedures Checklist and is only intended for the 2024 Unannounced Inspection of the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center. 7517 San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center Unannounced PRO 23-24 Page 1 of 8 A453 JUV PRO eff. 07.01.24 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (b) Screening, Identification Assessment and Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure Precautionary Protocols (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention (1) All youth shall be screened for risk of suicide at Plan and 3.01: Youth Admissions, Referrals, intake and as needed during detention. Screenings and Classification Specific criteria in the Suicide Prevention Plan address intake assessments and screenings. BSCC staff reviewed youth intake screenings and/or assessments completed by intake facility staff for the months of June through November 2024. SFJJC intake staff screen, ☒ ☐ ☐ assess, and identify youth who may be a suicide risk. The elements of this regulation are performed via staff’s personal observations, intake questions, interviews with the arresting officer, and information from parents. Medical staff conduct an assessment as well. BSCC staff also reviewed Suicide/Safety Plans. We observed that behavioral health staff review the plans every 24 hours. (2) All youth supervision staff who perform intake Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure processes shall be trained in screening youth for risk (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention of suicide. Plan The elements of this regulation are confirmed in the Chief Probation Officer (CPO) ☒ ☐ ☐ Appointment and Qualifications Letter, written by CPO Katherine Weinstein Miller, and dated April 19, 2024. An annual refresher training course is included in the SFJJC Suicide Prevention Plan. (3) All youth who have been identified during the Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure intake screening process to be at risk of suicide shall (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention be referred to behavioral/mental health staff for a Plan suicide risk assessment. Specific criteria in the plan address communication with probation and agency partners. Youth identified during the intake screening process to be at risk of suicide shall be seen ☒ ☐ ☐ by the Special Program for Youth (SPY) medical providers within 96 hours of admission. Compliance was confirmed, in part, through a review of related policy and an interview with behavioral health staff. There were no incidents involving suicide risk behaviors. The suicide prevention plan was followed accordingly. 7517 San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center Unannounced PRO 23-24 Page 2 of 8 A453 JUV PRO eff. 07.01.24 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (4) Precautionary protocols shall be developed to Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure ensure the youth’s safety pending the (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention behavioral/mental health assessment. Plan ☒ ☐ ☐ The “5-minute Safety Check” or a “Constant Watch” are precautionary protocols in place to ensure the youth’s safety pending the behavioral/mental health assessment. (c) Referral process to behavioral/mental health staff for Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure assessment and/or services. (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention ☒ ☐ ☐ Plan (d) Procedures for monitoring of youth identified at risk Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure for suicide. (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention Plan To monitor youth at risk of suicide, the facility ☒ ☐ ☐ utilizes the following: • 5-minute Safety Checks • Constant Watch (e) Safety Interventions Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (1) Procedures to address intervention protocols for (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention youth identified at risk for suicide which may Plan ☒ ☐ ☐ include, but are not limited to: (A) Housing consideration (B) Treatment strategies including trauma- Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure informed approaches (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention Plan An annual refresher training that includes trauma-informed approaches is included in the ☒ ☐ ☐ SFJJC Suicide Prevention Plan. Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings provide collaboration needed to incorporate treatment strategies and trauma-informed approaches. (2) Procedures to instruct youth supervision staff how Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure to respond to youth who exhibit suicidal behaviors. (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention Plan ☒ ☐ ☐ An annual refresher training course is included in the SFJJC Suicide Prevention Plan. 7517 San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center Unannounced PRO 23-24 Page 3 of 8 A453 JUV PRO eff. 07.01.24 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (f) Communication Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (1) The intake process shall include communication (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention with the arresting officer and family guardians Plan regarding the youth’s past or present suicidal ideations, behaviors or attempts. Specific criteria in the plan address intake assessments and screenings, communication amongst agency partners, response by staff, and notifications to staff, administration, family, and the Court when appropriate. During the intake process, the Juvenile Hall Counselor (JHC) asks targeted questions of the arresting officer regarding a youth’s mental ☒ ☐ ☐ and physical state of being. In addition, documentation shows that a parent or guardian is telephoned and questioned regarding a youth’s prior or recent suicidal behaviors. BSCC staff discussed the importance of the intake staff to confirm communication with the arresting officer and family guardians regarding the youth’s past or present suicidal ideations, behaviors, or attempts by indicating a “yes” or “no” on the youth’s admittance documentation. (2) Procedures for clear and current information Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure sharing about youth at risk for suicide with youth (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention supervision, healthcare, and behavioral/mental Plan health staff. ☒ ☐ ☐ MDT meetings occur that may include representatives from probation (staff and administrators), medical, behavioral health, and teachers or school administrators. (g) Debriefing of Critical Incidents Related to Suicides or Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure Attempts (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention (1) Process for administrative review of the Plan ☒ ☐ ☐ circumstances and responses proceeding, during and after the critical incident. Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (2) Process for a debriefing event with affected staff. (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention ☒ ☐ ☐ Plan (3) Process for a debriefing event with affected youth. Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention ☒ ☐ ☐ Plan (h) Documentation Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (1) Documentation processes shall be developed to (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention ☒ ☐ ☐ ensure compliance with this regulation Plan Youth identified at risk for suicide shall not be denied the Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure opportunity to participate in facility programs, services (JJCPP) Section 3.03: Suicide Prevention and activities which are available to other non-suicidal Plan 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. 7517 San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center Unannounced PRO 23-24 Page 4 of 8 A453 JUV PRO eff. 07.01.24 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS 1350 ADMITTANCE PROCEDURES Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, The facility administrator shall develop and implement Referrals, Screenings and Classification written policies and procedures for admittance of youth that emphasize respectful and humane engagement with youth, and reflect that the admission process may BSCC reviewed SFJJC youth intake packet be traumatic to youth who may have already ☒ ☐ ☐ forms. BSCC also interviewed behavioral experienced trauma. Policies shall be trauma-informed, health personnel and facility personnel. culturally relevant, and responsive to the language and literacy needs of youth. In addition to the requirements of Sections 1324 and 1430 of these regulations: (a) the admittance process shall include: Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (1) Access to two free phone calls within one hour of (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, admittance in accordance with the provisions of Referrals, Screenings and Classification Welfare and Institution Code Section 627; ☒ ☐ ☐ A review of intake packets confirms compliance with this regulation. Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, Referrals, Screenings and Classification (2) Offer of a shower; ☒ ☐ ☐ BSCC staff reviewed intake packets. Compliance was confirmed. Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (3) Documented secure storage of personal (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, belongings; ☒ ☐ ☐ Referrals, Screenings and Classification Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, Referrals, Screenings and Classification (4) Offer of food upon arrival; ☒ ☐ ☐ A Booking checklist is utilized to document that youth have been offered food upon arrival. Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, Referrals, Screenings and Classification (5) Screening for physical and behavioral health and safety issues, intellectual or developmental ☒ ☐ ☐ The facility utilizes the PREA Vulnerability disabilities; Assessment Instrument (VAI) to, in part, assess and respond to behavioral health and safety and or developmental disabilities. Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, (6) Screening for physical and developmental Referrals, Screenings and Classification disabilities in accordance with Sections 1329, 1413, ☒ ☐ ☐ and 1430 of these regulations; BSCC conducted interviews with behavioral health staff; BSCC confirmed compliance. Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (7) Contact with Regional Center for the (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, Developmentally Disabled for youth that are Referrals, Screenings and Classification suspected of or identified as having a ☒ ☐ ☐ developmental disability, pursuant to Section 1413; and, 7517 San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center Unannounced PRO 23-24 Page 5 of 8 A453 JUV PRO eff. 07.01.24 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (8) Procedures consistent with Section 1352.5. (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, ☒ ☐ ☐ Referrals, Screenings and Classification (b) juvenile hall administrators shall establish written Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure criteria for detention that considers the least restrictive (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, ☒ ☐ ☐ environment. Referrals, Screenings and Classification (c) juvenile camps and post-dispositional programs in Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure juvenile halls shall develop policies and procedures that (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, advise the youth of the estimated length of stay, inform Referrals, Screenings and Classification them of program guidelines and provide written ☒ ☐ ☐ screening criteria for inclusion and exclusion from the program. (d) juvenile halls shall develop policies and procedures Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure that advise any committed youth of the estimated length (JJCPP) Section 3.01: Youth Admissions, ☒ ☐ ☐ of his/her stay. Referrals, Screenings and Classification 1361 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances The facility administrator shall develop and implement written policies and procedures whereby any youth may BSCC staff reviewed grievances from June appeal and have resolved grievances relating to any condition of confinement, including but not limited to through September of 2024, and Grievance health care services, classification decisions, program Log for August through October 2024. BSCC participation, telephone, mail or visiting procedures, staff also interviewed the onsite Ombudsman food, clothing, bedding, mistreatment, harassment or and facility Administration. violations of the nondiscrimination policy. There shall be no time limit on filing grievances. Policies and The third party, contracted San Francisco procedures shall include provisions whereby the facility County Ombudsman, is identified in policy and manager ensures: plays an integral role with the grievance ☒ ☐ ☐ process. This is impressive supplemental efforts by the facility to ensure youth rights and concerns are being met. BSCC staff observed that since the prior BSCC Targeted Inspection on April 29, 2024, the agency followed BSCC’s recommendation to enable the facility to follow its own policy, as intended, ensuring the physical presence of the Ombudsman at the facility with scheduled consistency. The agency’s policy is now in line with its practices. (a) a grievance form and instructions for registering a Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure grievance, which includes provisions for the youth to (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances have free access to the form; BSCC staff interviewed the third party, onsite, Ombudsman. Youth are aware of the grievance procedures and the location of the grievances and the grievance lockbox. ☒ ☐ ☐ Through documentation, BSCC staff observed that during the intake and orientation process, the grievance procedure was confirmed to have been explained. (b) the youth shall have the option to confidentially file Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure the grievance or to deliver the form to any youth (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances ☒ ☐ ☐ supervision staff working in the facility; 7517 San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center Unannounced PRO 23-24 Page 6 of 8 A453 JUV PRO eff. 07.01.24 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (c) resolution of the grievance at the lowest appropriate Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure staff level; (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances ☒ ☐ ☐ Youth are encouraged to utilize verbal interactions and or the Action Request Form to resolve problems at the lowest level. (d) provision for a prompt review and initial response to Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure grievances within three (3) business days, grievances (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances that relate to health and safety issues must be addressed immediately; BSCC reviewed random grievances. The ☒ ☐ ☐ Ombudsman does well in ensuring a prompt review and initial response is provided within three business days. (1) The youth may elect to be present to explain Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure his/her version of the grievance to a person not (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances directly involved in the circumstances which led to the grievance. Per policy, the county contracted Ombudsman “Shall be available and active in pursuing conversations with staff and youth to informally ☒ ☐ ☐ discuss concerns as an alternate means to addressing issues”. Since the prior BSCC Targeted Inspection, the agency has done well in ensuring that the Ombudsman is physically present at the facility to meet with youth as described in agency’s policy and procedures. (2) Provision for a staff representative approved by Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure the facility administrator to assist the youth. (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances BSCC staff observed that the Assistant ☒ ☐ ☐ Superintendent does well with being actively involved in discussing matters with youth and collaborating with the Ombudsman. (e) provision for a written response to the grievance Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure which includes the reasons for the decisions; (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances BSCC staff observed that since the prior ☒ ☐ ☐ Targeted Inspection, the agency has made significant improvements in tracking responses and processes performed by all involved parties. (f) a system which provides that any appeal of a Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure grievance shall be heard by a person not directly (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances involved in the circumstances which led to the grievance; The facility has an Ombudsperson, who is a neutral, 3rd party, non-probation entity, and ☒ ☐ ☐ who, per policy, is available to assist youth with writing a grievance, if needed. These efforts are commendable and are above Title 15 standards. (g) resolution of the grievance must occur within ten (10) Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure business days unless circumstances dictate a longer (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances time frame. The youth shall be notified of any delay; and, ☒ ☐ ☐ The documentation shows that detention staff respond to grievances in a timely fashion. 7517 San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center Unannounced PRO 23-24 Page 7 of 8 A453 JUV PRO eff. 07.01.24 TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A P/P REFERENCE – COMMENTS (h) the policy shall provide multiple internal and external Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure methods to report sexual abuse and sexual harassment. (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances; Policy 5.07 Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) ☒ ☐ ☐ During the intake and orientation process, youth are provided with multiple internal and external methods to report inappropriate behaviors of any kind. Whether or not associated with a grievance, concerns of Juvenile Justice Center Policy and Procedure parents, guardians, staff or other parties shall be (JJCPP) Policy 5.05: Youth Grievances addressed and documented in accordance with written ☒ ☐ ☐ policies and procedures within a specified timeframe. 7517 San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center Unannounced PRO 23-24 Page 8 of 8 A453 JUV PRO eff. 07.01.24