HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrections Standards 5/25/10 STATE OF CALIFORNIA — DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, GOVERNOR
CORRECTIONS STANDARDS AUTHORITY
600 BERCUT DRIVE
SACRAMENTO, CA 95811
916-445-5073
WWW.CDCR.CA.GOVIDIV]SIONS BOARDSICSA
May 25, 2010
John Wardell, Chief Probation Officer
Butte County Probation Department
42 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
Dear Chief Wardell:
RE: CORRECTIONS STANDARDS AUTHORITY BIENNIAL INSPECTION
WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTIONS 209
On March 30, 2010, the Corrections Standards Authority (CSA) conducted an inspection of the Butte
County Juvenile Hall. The purpose of the inspection is to assess compliance with Title 15 and Title 24
of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Minimum Standards for Juvenile Facilities and the
federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) standards for holding minors.
Our inspection included a walk-through of the physical plant, a review of written policy and
procedures and review of documentation to verify that practice follows policy. We spoke with youth
and juvenile hall counselors, as well as education staff.
We appreciate the cooperation of your staff. Judging from their preparation, Superintendent Brian
Anderson, Assistant Superintendent Nino Pinocchio, shift supervisors, and on-duty staff all understand
the importance of the inspection process. We recognize that diverting your staff for the purpose of our
inspection contributes to the facility workload and therefore we appreciate all the more the
professionalism and courtesies extended to us during this process.
The complete CSA inspection report is enclosed. The full inspection consists of this transmittal letter, a
- — --_-Cover sheet identifying the facility the procedures checklist outlining applicable Title 15 sections the -
physical plant checklist outlining Title 24 requirements for design, and the living area space evaluation
that summarizes the physical plant configuration.
LOCAL INSPECTIONS
In order to view facility conditions comprehensively, this report should be read and considered in
conjunction with the annual inspections which are required by Title 15 CCR, Section 1313, "County
Inspection and Evaluation of Building and Grounds".
The Fire and Life Safety Inspection required by Health and Safety Code Section 13146.1 occurs at
minimum every 2 years. The Fire Inspection at the hall was conducted on December 15, 2008. The
facility has been deemed to meet fire safety regulations.
i90 delJ
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Chief Wardell, Chief Probation Officer
Page 2
The Building Inspection: The Building Safety inspection was conducted on December 11, 2009. The
facility was found to be structurally sound.
The Health Inspection, required by Health and Safety Code Section 101045, consists of evaluations of
medical/mental health services, environmental health and nutrition.
➢ Environmental Health: The Environmental Health inspection occurred on December 12, 2009.
No deficiencies were identified.
➢ Nutritional Health: No concerns were identified in the Nutritional Health evaluation conducted
on December 12, 2009. There were no identified deficiencies. A second nutrition inspection
was conducted on February 23, 2010 by the Department of Education's School Lunch Program
dietitian. The facility food program met and exceeded dietary requirements.
➢ Medical/Mental Health: The Medical/Mental Health portion of the Health Inspection was held
on March 18, 2010. There were no areas of non-compliance.
The Education Inspection: Butte Office of Education completed their inspection on February 23, 2010.
All education codes are being met. A second inspection was completed by the California State Office
of Education, TEP Division on March 9 and 10, 2010. Results of this inspection are pending, but no
deficiencies were cited at the time of the on-site visit.
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission memo dated March 26, 2010 verified
their support for the hall and the programs being provided to the youth. The superintendent has used
this group to interview staff and provide feedback regarding administration and staff at the hall. The
information gathered was seen as extremely beneficial.
The Juvenile Court Judge's Inspection was conducted at the hall on March 26, 2010. The Judge found
the facility suitable for the confinement of minors.
CORRECTIONS STANDARDS AUTHORITY INSPECTION
Physical Plant
Butte County Juvenile Hall was constructed in 2003 under the 1998 physical plant requirements in
Title 24, California Code of Regulations. The 120-bed facility has six 20 bed podular units. All of the
sleeping rooms have toilets, washbasin and drinking fountains. Each unit is equipped with a classroom
and adjacent to the living units is outdoor recreation space. The facility has a large hard surface area
for basketball and volleyball and a large grass field.
Due to budget constraints, the department has been unable to increase the number of assigned custody
staff. Currently, three of the six units are open with a Rated Capacity of 60. On the day of the
inspection there were 45 minors in custody, which included 3 temporary releases. The facility is very
clean and well maintained.
Operations
During the inspection process we reviewed incident reports, grievances, classification, reports and
process and disciplinary reports and findings. All documentation showed a pattern and practice of
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Chief Wardell, Chief Probation Officer
Page 3
compliance with policies and Title 15 regulation requirements. We interviewed juvenile hall
counselors, nurses, mental health clinicians, teachers, etc. The focus of these discussions was to
determine the degree of communication and joint management of difficult minors. The providers
indicated that both staff and administration work closely with the teachers and health staff to provide a
unified approach in working with the minors in their care.
The facility programs and interdisciplinary approach to the management of the youth is outstanding.
The incorporation of the County's "Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting Program (TAPP), includes
enrolling eligible youth. This program provides follow-up services upon release into the community.
Other services are provided through "Community Collaborative for Youth" and the minors at the hall
participated in rating their services. Overall, the ratings range from 4-5 with five (5) being the highest
on the scale rating the usefulness of the program. There is a very active "Boys and Girls Club" with
linkages into the community upon release. These are only a few of the opportunities minors have to
learn better ways to manage their lives.
The Policy and Procedure Manual is very well organized and easy to understand. The procedures
address every component of CCR Title 15. Discussions with health staff, teachers, and juvenile hall
staff indicated a pattern and practice of compliance with written procedures.
Summary
The juvenile hall programs provided to minors continue improving. The staff we spoke to were
enthusiastic and dedicated.
Status Offenders
The program does not accept status offenders under Section 601 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (916) 324-2600 or E-mail at Rebecca.Craig@ccdcr.ca.gov if we
can be of assistance to you.
erely,
a
REB CA CRAIG
Field epresentative
Facilities Standards and Operati ns Division
Enclosures
cc: Presiding Juvenile Court Judge, Butte County*
Chair, Butte County Board of Supervisors*
Chair, Butte County Juvenile Justice Connnission*
County Administrator, Butte County*
*Copies of this inspection are available upon request
7027 butte 1tr;511812010