Santa Cruz County, Detention Facilities Targeted (2020-2022 inspection cycle)

March 22, 2021 Sheriff Jim Hart Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office 5200 Soquel Avenue Santa Cruz, Ca 95062 2020-2022 TARGETED INSPECTION OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE JAIL FACILITIES Dear Sheriff Hart: On Monday March 22, 2021, BSCC staff conducted a Targeted Inspection of the following Santa Cruz County jail facilities to determine compliance with the Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities as outlined in Titles 15 and 24, California Code of Regulations. • Santa Cruz County Main Jail • Rountree Men’s Jail Facility • Blaine Street Women’s Facility The purpose of the Targeted Inspection was to verify corrective action your agency has taken to correct noncompliance issues noted in your 2018-2020 Biennial Inspection report. During the 2018-2020 Biennial Inspection cycle, BSCC staff noted three areas of noncompliance issues for the jail related to safety checks, use of restraints and policy language related authorization for placement and continued retention. During our onsite Targeted Inspection and review of the documentation that your agency provided, BSCC staff has determined that you have corrected the outstanding noncompliance issues from the previous inspection. Please refer to the Procedures Checklist for evidence used to determine compliance. This concludes the 20-22 Targeted Inspection. We would like to express our gratitude to Chief Ramos and Lieutenant Baldwin for their assistance and dedication to maintaining Title 15 and Title 24 compliance. We look forward to working with you in the future to provide technical assistance. If you should have any questions, please contact me at (916) 322-8081 or by email at Kim.Moule@bscc.ca.gov. Sincerely, KIMBERLY MOULE, CJM Field Representative Facilities Standards and Operations Division Enclosures cc: Chief Paul Ramos Lieutenant Dee Baldwin Presiding Judge, Santa Cruz County* Grand Jury, Santa Cruz County* Chair, Board of Supervisors, Santa Cruz County* County Administrator, Santa Cruz County* *Copies of full inspection are available online at www.bscc.ca.gov. 5280+ Santa Cruz Targeted II LTR 20-22 TYPE II AND III FACILITIES Board of State and Community Corrections PROCEDURES1 Targeted Inspection Checklist BSCC Code: 5280 5310 5320 FACILITY NAME: Santa Cruz County Sheriff Main Jail, Rountree Men’s Jail and the Blaine Street FACILITY TYPE: II Women’ PERSON(S) INTERVIEWED: Chief Paul Ramos, Lieutenant Dee Baldwin and Lieutenant Dan Freitas FIELD REPRESENTATIVE: Kimberly Moule DATE: 03/22/2021 TARGETED INSPECTION TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A 18/20 NONCOMPLIANCE COMMENTS FINDINGS 1027.5 SAFETY CHECKS During the 18-20 inspection of the Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office County Sheriff’s Office jail facilities, BSCC provided and additional sampling of Safety checks shall be conducted at least hourly through staff were unable to interpret the electronic safety checks for the months of direct visual observation of all inmates. There shall be no reporting of safety checks. Due to our February through June of 2020. This ☒ ☐ ☐ more than a 60-minute lapse between safety checks. inability to verify timely safety checks, the sampling was reviewed and were found agency was found noncompliant for safety to be completed and documented within checks. the required time frames. 1055 USE OF SAFETY CELL 516.3 Safety Cell Procedures The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Placement of an inmate into a safety cell has provided Policy 516 Safety and The safety cell described in Title 24, Part 2, Section requires approval of a supervisor or the Sobering Cells. This policy has been 1231.2.5, shall be used to hold only those inmates who responsible Physician. reviewed and contains all elements that display behavior which results in the destruction of Supervisors shall inspect the logs for are required by this regulation. property or reveals an intent to cause physical harm to self ☒ ☐ ☐ completeness every two hours and document or others. this action on the safety cell log. See notes below. Policy states that approval for continued retention occurs every eight hours. Regulation requires continued retention in a safety cell to occur every four hours. 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 Local Facilities, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 4 for the complete list and text of regulations. 5280+ Santa Cruz Targeted II PRO 20-22 - 1 - A353 Type 2&3 PRO eff. 1/2019 (18-20) TARGETED INSPECTION TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A 18/20 NONCOMPLIANCE COMMENTS FINDINGS 1055. Safety Cell NOTES: 516.1 Purpose and Scope This policy establishes the requirement for placing inmates into and the continued placement of inmates in safety cells. 516.3 SAFETY CELL PROCEDURES The following guidelines apply when placing any inmate in a safety cell: (a) Placement of an inmate into a safety cell requires approval of the Sergeant or the Responsible Physician (15 CCR 1055). (b) A safety cell log shall be initiated every time an inmate is placed into the safety cell and should be maintained for the entire time the inmate is housed in the cell. Cell logs will be retained in accordance with established office retention schedules. (c) A safety check consisting of direct visual observation that is sufficient to assess the inmate’s well-being and behavior shall occur twice every 30 minutes (15 CCR 1055). Each safety check of the inmate shall be documented. Supervisors shall inspect the logs for completeness every two hours and document this action on the safety cell log. (d) Inmates should be permitted to remain normally clothed or should be provided a safety suit, except in cases where the inmate has demonstrated that clothing articles may pose a risk to the inmate's safety or the facility. In these cases, the reasons for not providing clothing shall be documented on the safety cell log. (e) Inmates in safety cells shall be given the opportunity to have fluids (water, juices) at least hourly. Corrections officers shall provide the fluids in paper cups. The inmates shall be given sufficient time to drink the fluids prior to the cup being removed. Each time an inmate is provided the opportunity to drink fluids will be documented on the safety cell log. (f) Inmates will be provided meals during each meal period. Meals will be served on paper plates or in other safe containers, and the inmates will be monitored while eating the meals. Inmates shall be given ample time to complete their meals prior to the plate or container being removed. All meals provided to inmates in safety cells will be documented on the safety cell log. (g) The Sergeant shall review the appropriateness for continued retention in the safety cell at least every two hours (15 CCR 1055). The reason for continued retention or removal from the safety cell shall be documented on the safety cell log. (h) A medical assessment of the inmate in the safety cell shall occur within 12 hours of placement or at the next daily sick call, whichever is earliest. Continued assessment of the inmate in the safety cell shall be conducted by a qualified health care professional and shall occur at least every 24 hours thereafter. Medical assessments shall be documented. (i) A mental health assessment shall be conducted within 12 hours of an inmate’s placement in the safety cell (15 CCR 1055). The mental health professional’s recommendations shall be documented. 1058 USE OF RESTRAINT DEVICES The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has provided Policy 511 USE OF The facility administrator, in cooperation with the RESTRAINTS. This policy has been responsible physician, shall develop written policies and reviewed and contains all elements that ☒ procedures for the use of restraint devices and may are required by this regulation. delegate authority to place an inmate in restraints to a responsible health care staff. See notes below. 5280+ Santa Cruz Targeted II PRO 20-22 - 2 - A353 Type 2&3 PRO eff. 1/2019 (18-20) TARGETED INSPECTION TITLE 15 SECTION YES NO N/A 18/20 NONCOMPLIANCE COMMENTS FINDINGS USE OF RESTRAINTS 511.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy establishes guidelines for the application, supervisory oversight and restrictions on the use of restraints on persons incarcerated in this facility. This policy shall apply to the use of specific types of restraints, such as four/five-point restraints, safety chairs, wrap restraint system, ambulatory restraints and similar restraint systems, as well as all other restraints, including handcuffs, waist chains and leg irons when such restraints are used to restrain any inmate for prolonged periods. 511.3 USE OF RESTRAINTS - CONTROL Supervisors shall proactively oversee the use of restraints on any inmate. Whenever feasible the use of restraints other than routine use during transfer, shall require the approval of a Supervisor prior to application. In instances where prior approval is not feasible, the supervisor shall be apprised of the use of restraints as soon as practicable. Restraint devices, such as safety chairs, or wrap restraint system, shall only be used on an inmate when it reasonably appears necessary to overcome resistance, prevent escape or bring an incident under control, thereby preventing injury to the inmate or others, or eliminating the possibility of property damage. The Wrap restraint system shall not be used on an inmate who expresses or demonstrates self-harm. Restraints shall not be applied for more time than is reasonably necessary to achieve the above goals. Approval to place an inmate in the safety chair or Wrap restraint system must come from the on duty supervisor. A supervisor shall oversee all safety chair and Wrap restraint system placements. Hydration (water or juices) shall be provided no less than once every two hours or upon request. Continued placement in the safety chair and Wrap restraint system shall be evaluated every hour by the supervisor and documented on the Observation Log as well as a JMS Chair Assessment. Inmates shall be removed from the safety chair and Wrap restraint system immediately after being declared no longer a threat to themselves or staff. Retaining an inmate in a safety chair or Wrap restraint system for longer than 6 hours requires Lieutenant approval. The Lieutenants approval shall be noted on the restraint log. A qualified health care professional shall be called to observe the application of the restraints, when feasible prior to the application or as soon as practicable after the application, and to check the inmate for adequate circulation. The safety chair or Wrap restraint system will not be used on an inmate who has been sprayed with OC spray within 30 minutes prior to placement in the safety chair or Wrap restraint system. The only exception is if there is constant direct supervision by medical staff and a supervisor while the inmate remains restrained in the chair or Wrap restraint system to monitor the inmate's health. Direct supervision shall take place for at least 30 minutes after being exposed to OC spray, or longer if it is deemed necessary to insure the medical welfare of the inmate. The use of restraints for purposes other than for the controlled movement or transportation of an inmate shall be documented on appropriate logs to include, at minimum, the type of restraint used, when it was applied, a detailed description of why the restraint was needed and when it was removed (15 CCR 1058). The following provisions shall be followed when utilizing restraints to control an inmate: (a) Restraints shall not be used as punishment, placed around a person's neck or applied in a way that is likely to cause undue physical discomfort or restrict blood flow or breathing (e.g., hog-tying). (b) Restrained inmates shall not be placed face down or in a position that inhibits breathing. Use of Restraints - 184 (c) Restraints shall not be used to secure a person to a fixed object except as a temporary emergency measure. A person who is being transported shall not be locked in any manner to any part of the transporting vehicle except for items installed for passenger safety, such as seat belts. (d) Inmates in restraints shall be housed either alone or in an area designated for restrained inmates. (e) Restraints shall be applied for no longer than is reasonably necessary to protect the inmate or others from harm. (f) Staff members shall conduct direct face-to-face observation at least twice every 30 minutes to check the inmate's physical well-being and behavior. Restraints shall be checked to verify correct application and to insure they do not compromise circulation. All checks shall be documented, with the actual time recorded by the person doing the observation, along with a description of the inmate's behavior. Any actions taken should also be noted in the log. (g) The specific reasons for the continued need for restraints shall be reviewed, documented and approved by the Lieutenant or Watch Commander at least every hour. (h) As soon as possible, but within one hour of placement in restraints, the inmate shall be medically assessed to determine whether he/she has a serious medical condition that is being masked by the aggressive behavior. The medical assessment shall be a face-to-face evaluation by a qualified health care professional and shall recur once every six hours of continued restraint thereafter. (i) As soon as possible, but within six hours of placement in restraints, the inmate must be evaluated by a mental health professional to assess whether the inmate needs immediate and/or long-term mental health treatment. (j) The Wrap restraint system shall not be used on an inmate who demonstrates or expresses self-harm. 5280+ Santa Cruz Targeted II PRO 20-22 - 3 - A353 Type 2&3 PRO eff. 1/2019 (18-20) NOTES: Thank you for your corrective action and dedication to compliance with the California Code of Regulations. 5280+ Santa Cruz Targeted II PRO 20-22 - 4 - A353 Type 2&3 PRO eff. 1/2019 (18-20)