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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from the Board of State and Community Corrections regarding the Juvenile Hall InspectionBoard of State and Community Corrections Steven K. Bordin Chief Probation Officer Butte County Probation Department 42 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 Dear Chief Bordin: GOVERNOR Edmund G. Brown Jr. CHAIR Linda M. Penner EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kathleen T. Howard OF& PS&Lq RB MAR 10 2014 NIECE, CAUPOWA BUTTE COUNTY JUVENILE HALL INSPECTION, WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTION 209 On November 13, 2013 the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) conducted the 2012 -2014 biennial inspection of the Butte County Juvenile Hall. The inspection was preceded by a pre- inspection briefing held on October 16, 2013, during which we outlined plans and expectations for the inspection. We appreciate Deputy Chief Wayne Barley's attendance at a more detailed eight hour introduction to the inspection process on April 24, 2013. We sincerely appreciate the courtesy, and cooperation extended by your staff during the inspection. We especially want to acknowledge the contributions of Deputy Chief Barley and Juvenile Hall Manager Nino Pinocchio in coordinating the overall process and for their responsiveness to our requests for clarification for further information. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Manager Pinocchio for his participation in the most recent revision of the Title 15 Regulations which govern the operation of juvenile halls and camps. Mr. Pinocchio's contribution to the two day meeting of the Administrative Workgroup is reflected in the updated regulations soon to be released. Our inspection began with a desk review of the facility's policy and procedures manual. On site, we examined documentation to verify that practices follow those policies and meet Title 15 minimum standards. We toured the facility and spoke with child supervision staff, allied staff and detained youth. Our report includes: A policy and procedures checklist listing areas of compliance and non- compliance for the facility; the physical plant evaluation for the facility, outlining requirements for design (Title 24, California Code of Regulations); and the living area space evaluation, which 600 Bercut Drive, Sacramento, CA 95811 x�1 916.445.5073 PHONE T, u 916.327.3317 FAX bscc.ca.gov January 2, 2014 Steven K. Bordin Chief Probation Officer Butte County Probation Department 42 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 Dear Chief Bordin: GOVERNOR Edmund G. Brown Jr. CHAIR Linda M. Penner EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kathleen T. Howard OF& PS&Lq RB MAR 10 2014 NIECE, CAUPOWA BUTTE COUNTY JUVENILE HALL INSPECTION, WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTION 209 On November 13, 2013 the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) conducted the 2012 -2014 biennial inspection of the Butte County Juvenile Hall. The inspection was preceded by a pre- inspection briefing held on October 16, 2013, during which we outlined plans and expectations for the inspection. We appreciate Deputy Chief Wayne Barley's attendance at a more detailed eight hour introduction to the inspection process on April 24, 2013. We sincerely appreciate the courtesy, and cooperation extended by your staff during the inspection. We especially want to acknowledge the contributions of Deputy Chief Barley and Juvenile Hall Manager Nino Pinocchio in coordinating the overall process and for their responsiveness to our requests for clarification for further information. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Manager Pinocchio for his participation in the most recent revision of the Title 15 Regulations which govern the operation of juvenile halls and camps. Mr. Pinocchio's contribution to the two day meeting of the Administrative Workgroup is reflected in the updated regulations soon to be released. Our inspection began with a desk review of the facility's policy and procedures manual. On site, we examined documentation to verify that practices follow those policies and meet Title 15 minimum standards. We toured the facility and spoke with child supervision staff, allied staff and detained youth. Our report includes: A policy and procedures checklist listing areas of compliance and non- compliance for the facility; the physical plant evaluation for the facility, outlining requirements for design (Title 24, California Code of Regulations); and the living area space evaluation, which Steven K. Bordin Chief Probation Officer Page 2 summarizes the physical plant configuration for the detention area and provides historical comments related to establishing the Rated Capacity (RC). LOCAL INSPECTIONS To obtain an overall view of facility conditions, this report should be reviewed in conjunction with county inspections required by Title 15, Section 1313 County Inspection and Evaluation of Building and Grounds, and statute. Results of those local inspections are summarized below. Please forward the outstanding 2013 reports when received. The Fire and Life Safety Inspection required by Health and Safety Code Section 13146.1 occurs at minimum every 2 years. Butte County Juvenile Hall's fire inspection was conducted on September 12, 2012. No deficiencies were noted and a fire clearance was granted. The Building Inspection: The Building Safety Inspection was conducted on November 20, 2013 by Dean Olson, Supervisor, Buildings and Grounds. He found the building to be in overall good condition. Some minor issues were addressed or are scheduled for repair or maintenance. The Health Inspection, required by Health and Safety Code Section 101045, consists of evaluations of medical /mental health services, environmental health and nutrition. o Environmental Health: The Environmental Health inspection occurred on November 26, 2013. No deficiencies were identified. o Nutritional Health: No concerns were identified in the Nutritional Health evaluation conducted on November 26, 2013. o Medical /Mental Health: The Medical/Mental Health portion of the Health Inspection was held on December 3, 2013, however the report has not yet been received. There were no areas of non - compliance in the last written report submitted to BSCC, dated December 27, 2012. The Education Evaluation of the Table Mountain School dated November 15, 2013 was completed by Principal Karen Stiles. It was accompanied by certification by Tim Taylor Superintendent of Schools, Butte County Office of Education on December, 19, 2013 that the school meets all applicable education requirements. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission Inspection was conducted June 7, 2012. The Commissioners had no major concerns or recommendations, noting that the facility is operating at a high and professional level. They praised the dedication of staff and the innovative partnerships with the community. The Commission completed the 2013 inspection on October 10, 2013, the report is pending. The Juvenile Court Judge's Inspection was conducted on December 9, 2013 Judge Claire Keithley, Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. Judge Keithley found the facility suitable for Steven K. Bordin Chief Probation Officer Page 3 the detention of minors. She noted that the facility was operated in an efficient, cost effective manner and that minors are afforded quality programs and care. BSCC INSPECTION PHYSICAL PLANT Your managers shared the details of the recent upgrade to the camera system, pointing out areas of the facility which will now be able to be viewed with the addition of 60 new cameras. With installation just completed, the new cameras were due to be brought on line within days of our visit. Plans are proceeding with a remodeling of the current control station, taking full advantage of the monitoring capabilities of the new camera system. The rated capacity (RC) of the juvenile hall is 120. Operationally, capacity is limited to 60, based on staffing. There were 35 youth in custody as we began our inspection, 28 boys and 7 girls. We toured the intake unit and six living units. Units C, E and F were occupied; Unit B houses the Boys and Girls Club program and staff. Unit A was being used as a staging area for tools and materials needed in the camera system and control station upgrade and Unit D is available for staff training. There were no issues of noncompliance with Title 24 regulations noted in our tour of the physical plant. To assess operations, BSCC conducts an audit of the facility policy and procedure manual prior to the inspection visit. Once on site we review documentation which supports compliance with the regulation and local policy. Documents reviewed include unit logs, facility schedules and forms which capture information on classification, orientation, grievance, disciplinary and other processes. In addition, we speak with custody and allied staff and with youth on each living unit. The attached procedures checklist details findings on the Title 15 standards regarding operations. The policy and procedure manual is well organized and easy to search. Up to date revisions have been made which reflect changes to Title 15 which have been approved for publication by the Office of Administrative Law and the Secretary of State and will be effective April 1, 2014. The manual sections cover the required elements in Title 15. Historically, half of the youth in the Butte County Juvenile Hall are committed there by the Court as their disposition. On our inspection day, 27 of the 35 youth in custody were post dispositional. We appreciate the orientation to the three commitment programs: Minor Adjustment Program (MAP), To 18 and Beyond, and Straight 30/60/90. The program developed for those 18 and over has an educational focus, with a push to obtain a diploma or a GED. While in the facility youth are assisted in acquiring independent living skills by specially assigned program staff. Staff assist them in obtaining State identification, a Social Security Card, if needed and connect them with the Workforce Alliance and programs at Butte College. They Steven K. Bordin Chief Probation Officer Page 4 participate in Aggression Replacement Training (ART) and have the services of a designated therapist. The MAP program has wraparound component and a therapist is assigned to work with a youth and his or her family. The electronic case management program allows juvenile hall staff to make case notes which can be read by the Probation Officer. Youth in MAP and To 18 and Beyond have assessments and plans which help dictate their program. At the time of our inspections, there was no mechanism to assure that other youth in custody for more than 30 days also receive an assessment followed by a case plan, as required in regulation. Subsequent to the inspection a process and form were devised and are now in use. BSCC staff reviewed some of the completed plans. Weekend and school day schedules reflected more than the minimum amount of time required for recreation, programs and exercise. We visited the Boys and Girls Club and spoke with youth about it and the other programs offered in the facility. Two youth proudly shared some of the skills they had learned in ART and explained how the skills will help them at home and in the community. Youth described the educational program in the facility as equivalent to or better than the education they were receiving in the community. They also confirmed that they received due process if they were the subject of major disciplinary action, but that while on Room Rest as a consequence, they still attended school and exercised with their peers. Youth and staff described processes for filing and responding to grievances, distributing mail, conducting an orientation and accessing medical, mental health or legal services, all which comply with regulation. In our review of filed grievances we noted that on two occasions youth wrote a "good grievance" in order to compliment staff or the juvenile hall program. In another instance, the staff responding to a grievance noted on the form that the youth's recommended solution to the listed complaint was a "great idea" and it was implemented. The facility's openness to critique in order to improve operations is further illustrated by the Conditions of Confinement Survey that is conducted by interns. One youth we interviewed described the juvenile hall as "a good, safe environment " AREAS OF NONCOMPLIANCE There are no outstanding areas of noncompliance CONCLUSION This concludes the 2012 -14 inspection of the Butte County Juvenile Hall. We would once again like to thank you and your managers for the thoughtful and, professional way you approached and prepared for this inspection and for the expertise demonstrated and kindnesses shown while we were on site. Retired, Superintendent Brian Anderson and current Juvenile Hall Manager Nino Pinocchio have both worked collaboratively with the Board of State.and Community Corrections over the years, contributing to the evolution of State standards for juvenile facilities and the Steven K. Bordin Chief Probation Officer Page 5 statewide improvement in conditions of confinement. We are grateful for their valuable input and for the willingness of the department to allow them to have such a presence. If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, % J� TONIGARDNER Field Representative Facility Standards and Operations Division Enclosures cc: Presiding Judge, Juvenile Court, Butte County* Chair, Juvenile Justice Commission, Butte County Chair, Board of Supervisors, Butte County* County Administrator, Butte County* Deputy Chief Wayne Barley Juvenile Hall Manager Nino Pinocchio *Full copies of this inspection report are available upon request. Late and Community Corrections Drive ), CA 95811 CHAIR, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF BUTTE — 25 COUNTY CENTER DRIVE OROVILLE, CA 95965 cos. 'era „ .z.._fx. f.iYi,i V I.OSNCS Tn GO 5 7119 M,R07 2014 FROM ZIP GODE 9561 4 BUTTECOUNTY ADMINISTRATION MAR 10 2014 OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA SESESS3365 IM rrr e11��1 i1�'771I f 11I1j111 r(ljf r1r 11 rjrll+l�ri j' %i��r iirlllf' d Q n k 02 1,4 000414 1 MAILED CHAIR, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF BUTTE — 25 COUNTY CENTER DRIVE OROVILLE, CA 95965 cos. 'era „ .z.._fx. f.iYi,i V I.OSNCS Tn GO 5 7119 M,R07 2014 FROM ZIP GODE 9561 4 BUTTECOUNTY ADMINISTRATION MAR 10 2014 OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA SESESS3365 IM rrr e11��1 i1�'771I f 11I1j111 r(ljf r1r 11 rjrll+l�ri j' %i��r iirlllf'