San Diego County, South Bay Courthouse (2016-2018 inspection cycle)

February 5, 2019 William D. Gore, Sheriff San Diego County Sheriff’s Department 9621 Ridgehaven Court San Diego, CA 92123 2016 – 2018 Biennial Inspection – Response to Corrective Action Plan Dear Sheriff Gore: We are in receipt of your response, dated November 2, 2018, regarding the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) inspection of San Diego County’s Corrections Facilities. We appreciate the response to the items of non-compliance that were identified during our 2016-2018 inspection cycle and are pleased with the progress that is being made to correct these deficiencies. Title 15, Section 1027, Number of Personnel (Females officers immediately available) - South Bay Courthouse Requires whenever there are one or more female inmates in custody, there is at least one female employee immediately available and accessible. During our interview with male staff, they stated that they provide supervision of female inmates in the detention area and escort them to and from their assigned court room. Male staff were unaware if female deputies were available. Per your corrective action plan, female deputies are not assigned to the detention holding area; however, they are readily available as needed. The South Bay Courthouse is currently in compliance with Title 15, Section 1027. Title 15, Section 1065 – Exercise and Recreation: Vista Detention Center Requires a minimum of three hours of such activity distributed over a period of seven days. We were unable to verify that all inmates are receiving the minimum exercise and recreation time for the months of February, March, and April of 2018. We understand that the facility has implemented a change to the recreation yard schedule as well as modified the policy to clarify how to appropriately enter the recreation yard data in the Jail Inmate Management System. In addition, there will be a weekly review of every housing module and all administratively segregated inmates for compliance. Compliance is pending. BSCC staff will revisit the facility in July 2019 to review additional exercise and recreation logs. 4381 + San Diego Detention Corr Response 2016-2018 William D. Gore, Sheriff Page 2 of 2 Title 15, Section 1145, Decision on Secure Custody: Lakeside Substation Minors in temporary custody who are less than 14 years of age, or who do not, in the reasonable belief of the peace officer present a serious security risk of harm to self or others, shall not be placed in secure custody. One minor (12-year-old) was held past six hours in secure detention in January of 2018 and the same minor was also held past six hours in secure detention in February of 2018. The department will remind each temporary holding facility that minors under the age of 14 years old cannot be held in a secure setting. The South Bay Courthouse is currently in compliance with Title 15, Section 1027. The following facilities have remaining items of non-compliance with Title 24 Minimum Standards: Central Jail, George Bailey, South Bay and Vista Detention. Most, if not all, non-compliance issues are due to crowded conditions. BSCC understands facilities will remove triple-bunk beds in double occupancy cells from Central Jail and the George Bailey Detention facility. BSCC understands that the Department is considering opening the Rock Mountain Detention Facility which will add additional 1,000 beds to the jail system and may relieve crowded conditions. I would like to thank you and all staff involved for their efforts in addressing these issues. 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 cc: Chair, Board of Supervisors, San Diego County Presiding Judge, Superior Court, San Diego County County Administrator, San Diego County Grand Jury Foreman, Superior Court, San Diego County Assistant Sheriff John Ingrassia, Detention, San Diego Sheriff’s Department Assistant Sheriff Larry Nesbit, Court Detentions, San Diego Sheriff’s Department Commander Will Brown, Detention, San Diego Sheriff’s Department Commander Mike Hernandez, Detention, San Diego Sheriff’s Department Commander Frank Clamer, Detentions, San Diego Sheriff’s Department Commander John Maryon, Court Services, San Diego Sheriff’s Department Copies of the complete report are available on the BSCC website 4381 + San Diego Detention Corr Response 2016-2018