San Bernardino County, Detention Facilities (2018-2020 inspection cycle)

October 10, 2019 John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department 655 East Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415-0061 2018-2020 Biennial Inspection – Response to Corrective Action Plan Dear Sheriff McMahon: We are in receipt of your response, dated August 29, 2019, regarding the Board of State and Community Corrections inspection of San Bernardino County’s Corrections Facilities. We appreciate the response to the items of non-compliance that were identified during our 2018-2020 inspection cycle and are pleased with the progress that is being made to correct these deficiencies: Central Detention Center & Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center The excess number of occupied beds in several areas of each facility led to areas of non-compliance with Title 24 standards related to multiple occupancy cells and dormitory standards Section 8227, Multiple Occupancy Cells and Section 2.8 Dormitories. Inmate beds, which were over the rated capacity in Dormitories and in the Multiple Occupancy cells have either been removed or are rarely used. The Classification Unit continues to work diligently to ensure each housing Dormitory/Multiple Occupancy stay at or below the rated capacity. This compliance issue will be removed from both facilities. West Valley Detention Center The facility was experiencing mentally ill inmate’s emergencies that required them to be placed in the intake temporary holding cells to increase the level of direct observation. Inmates will continue to be temporary held but not housed. Mentally ill inmates will be assessed by medical staff and be housed in appropriate housing. This compliance issue will be removed from the facility. Foothill Courthouse Holding cells 15-18 lack an audio monitoring system. The department will request the Judicial Council to place an audio monitoring system in each cell. This compliance issue will be removed from the facility. San Bern Corr Action Resp; 10/10/2019 John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner 2 of 2 page Big Bear Station and Colorado River Station Both facilities held one minor each past 6-hours. A training bulletin was issued to remind staff of the time requirement associated with minors in detention. This compliance issue will be removed from the facilities. I would like to thank you and all staff involved for their efforts in addressing these issues. It is truly my pleasure working with your staff. If we can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me at (916) 324-9861 or email at michael.bush@bscc.ca.gov. Sincerely, MICHAEL J. BUSH Field Representative Facilities Standards and Operations Enclosures cc: Chair, Board of Supervisors, San Bernardino County County Administrator, County of San Bernardino Presiding Superior Court Judge, County of San Bernardino Grand Jury Foreperson, Superior Court, County of San Bernardino Sam Fisk, Deputy Chief, San Bernardino County Sheriff Department Jerry Gutierrez, Executive Officer, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Craig Harris, Lieutenant, San Bernardino County Sheriff Department Copies of the inspection report are available upon request and at www.bscc.ca.gov San Bern Corr Action Resp; 10/10/2019