SHERIFF STEPS UP EFFORTS TO IMPROVE JAILS

East County News Service

July 14, 2023 (San Diego) -- Sheriff Kelly Martinez and members of the Sheriff’s Detention Services Bureau held a press conference on July 5 to provide an update on efforts to improve the county’s detention facilities.  She provided a thorough update on construction projects, technological advancements, healthcare services, accessibility, reentry services and keeping drugs out of our jails.

The Sheriff’s Department has been under scrutiny in recent years for having the highest number of jail deaths of any major California county, under former Sheriff Bill Gore and the current sheriff.

Rock Mountain Detention Facility

The Sheriff's Department will soon be opening the Rock Mountain Detention Facility in Otay Mesa. The facility was built in 1998 and operated by a private company for federal agencies, which was not subject to California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) standards and inspections. When the facility was turned over to the Sheriff's Department, Rock Mountain had to undergo further renovations to meet requirements set forth by BSCC and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Rock Mountain renovation project cost $48 million.

Rock Mountain is located at the same complex as the George Bailey Detention and East Mesa Reentry Facilities. The first housing unit is set to open this month. Additional work on the rest of the housing units is expected to be completed in 2024.

ADA Compliance

“We have taken significant steps to increase access for persons with disabilities in our county jails,” a media release states. To make  facilities compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the department has begun making changes such as:

• Modifications to jail showers, toilets, and beds to comply with the ADA.
• Provide more information during the booking process about jail accommodations for individuals with mobility disabilities.
• Provide sign language interpretation, either in person or remote, for individuals in our custody who use sign language as their primary means of communication.
• Created the ADA Unit to update policies and procedures regarding individuals with disabilities in our custody, as well as oversee renovation projects for ADA compliance.

Keeping Drugs Out Of Jails

A recent Grand Jury report indicated that drugs are the top cause of jail deaths.

The Sheriff's Department says it is working to find effective ways to prevent drugs from getting into jails.

Specially trained deputies make up the Sheriff's Narcotics and Contraband Interdiction Unit. They are stationed in the booking areas of jails. By using basic and more sophisticated investigative techniques, these deputies can uncover drugs before they get inside our detention facilities.

 The Sheriff’s department has purchased new body scanners to screen people coming into our custody. These scanners are more accurate in identifying drugs hidden on or in the bodies of people being booked.  

Naloxone has been placed inside all detention facilities and is available to individuals who are in custody. This harm reduction measure has saved lives and reversed the effects of overdoses in jail.

Medical and Mental Health Care

Progress is being made to enhance the healthcare services to ensure the safety of people in  custody.

Everyone who is booked into county jails undergoes a medical evaluation, including a voluntary urine screening. This helps  identify any substances people have in their system when they come into our facilities. The information guides the treatment plan they will receive from Sheriff's Medical Services.

The Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program has been expanded to help reduce addiction. When someone is released, they are provided resources for continuing care in the community.  Mental health assessments are now done at intake to provide the appropriate treatment plan as soon as possible.

Individuals who are unable to take care of themselves undergo Wellness Checks from a multi-disciplinary group of staff that includes sworn staff, medical and mental health providers, as well as correctional counselors. This group visits these individuals weekly in their cells, to assess if the person is eating, bathing, sleeping and generally taking care of themselves. The team can identify concerns and risks earlier and get people the help they need.

“We continue to improve the electronic health record system which makes medical and mental health information easier to access and available to providers,” the press release states.

Jail Construction Projects

There are several projects underway to renovate and improve detention facilities:

• A nearly $12 million elevator project at the San Diego Central Jail.
• A $2.5 million intercom project is in the planning stages at the Vista Detention Facility, as well as upgrades in wireless connections for body-worn cameras. A planning study is also in the works for the construction of a new facility.
• A $1.5 million renovation of our Central Production Center at the East Mesa Reentry Facility is currently in the design stage. This remodel includes all the preparation areas where meals are cooked for people in custody.
• Work is underway on renovating the George Bailey Detention Facility. Housing units will be remodeled from top to bottom. During construction, incarcerated individuals at George Bailey will be transferred to the newly renovated Rock Mountain Detention Facility next door.

Jail Technological Improvements

Strides continue to be made in rolling out body worn cameras at our county jails.

All deputies at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee have been equipped and trained to use body cameras. The department is in the process of doing the same at the San Diego Central Jail. Next up, body-worn cameras will be brought to the Vista Detention Facility later this year once the electrical and network infrastructure has been updated.

The Sheriff's Department is also looking into implementing radio-frequency identification (RFID) wristbands in county jails to improve the health and safety of individuals in custody by providing real-time access to essential information about each person. This will give jail staff immediate access to critical medical information such as allergies, chronic conditions and other known issues.

Reentry Services

The Sheriff's Reentry Services provides opportunity, education and job training to people in jails.

 With more than three dozen reentry programs ranging from gardening to construction trades to culinary arts, individuals are given a second chance to prepare for their return to our communities.

“Our nationally recognized Veterans Moving Forward program for former military servicemembers has been so successful it is being used as a model for implementation by other counties in their jails,” the Sheriff’s department states.

The Sheriff's Department partners with more than 40 agencies to connect individuals with various resources for a successful transition back into society.