Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Reportfor 2002-2003701 Ocean Street, Room 318-I |
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Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall
Background
Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall, located at 3650 Graham Hill Road, was built in 1968. There have been several modifications to the facility since its construction. Ten rooms were added in 1971, bringing the capacity to its current level of 42 beds. When the Grand Jury visited on October 18, 2002, the facility was undergoing a renovation project that has now been completed. This renovation included:
The Juvenile Hall site also houses Juvenile Court and some of the Probation Departments' offices. The Chief Probation Officer, the Juvenile Hall Division Director and Assistant Division Director, along with a member of the Juvenile Justice/Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Commission, were available to answer questions on the day of the Grand Jury visitation. The JJDP Commission is made up of 15 members consisting of five commissioners-at-large and ten commissioners appointed by the Board of Supervisors (with each of the five Supervisors making two appointments). The JJDP meets monthly to discuss concerns and the administration of Juvenile Hall.
Findings
· To reduce the number of children unnecessarily or inappropriately detained
· To minimize the number of youth who fail to appear in court or reoffend pending adjudication
· To redirect public funds toward successful reform strategies
· To improve conditions of confinement.
As a model site for the Annie E. Casey Foundation Initiative, Juvenile Hall receives grant money and support, including access to a data analyst to track trends.
Conclusions
1. The facility appears well-managed with staff who desire to improve, as best they can, the lives of the youth they serve.
2. The sharp, broken and loose floor tiles can be used as weapons.
3. Safety is an issue in detainees’ rooms because when doors swing in they can be barricaded from the inside. Space is also lost in rooms when doors swing in.
4. Electronic doors throughout the facility would improve safety and security.
5. Security cameras in the intake area would improve safety and security for staff and detainees.
6. Walls of the detainees’ rooms are made of cement blocks which amplify and retain extreme temperatures for extended periods of time, sometimes making sleeping difficult.
7. A gymnasium would allow for adequate physical activity during inclement weather.
8. Santa Cruz can be proud that it is a model site of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative.
Recommendations
1. The Board of Supervisors should allocate funds to immediately replace floor coverings throughout the facility. Funding to replace ceiling tiles should also be identified.
2. The Board of Supervisors should find funds for the following at Juvenile Hall:
· installation of additional video cameras, especially in intake area
· installation of electronic doors throughout facility and upgrade control center
· installation of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) throughout the facility
· modification of perimeter fencing to allow the more sophisticated detainees access to outdoor recreation areas
· construction of an indoor recreation facility
· modification of the remaining doors on detainees’ rooms to swing out
Responses Required
Entity |
Findings |
Recommendations |
Respond Within |
County Board of Supervisors of Santa Cruz County |
2, 4, 5, 6, 8 |
1, 2 |
60 Days (Sept. 2, 2003) |
Santa Cruz County Chief Probation Officer |
2, 4, 5, 6, 8 |
1, 2 |
90 Days (Sept. 30, 2003) |