Inmates in possession of cell phones remains a serious security issue that needs to be addressed immediately at California Medical Facility in Vacaville, according to a Solano County grand jury report.

Having the smuggled-in phones, grand jurors said, allows inmates the capability to coordinate escapes, order attacks and killings, and possibly conduct other types of criminal activity.

The report found that punishment for inmate possession of the contraband wasn't a stringent enough deterrent and the violation "merely results in the loss of good behavior credits, which can easily be restored over time."

Unfortunately, prison staff is hampered by legislation and case law, grand jurors said, so change must be made at that level. They recommended that the California State Legislature pass laws to make inmate possession of a cell phone a felony, punishable by an additional prison sentence.

The grand jury also recommended Solano's Board of Supervisors sponsor similar legislation, but also make it a felony for prison staff or visitors to provide inmates with cell phones.

To aid in the effort, grand jurors are sending courtesy copies of the report to members and committees of the Legislature together with a cover letter "reiterating our concerns and requesting a response to those concerns."

The grand jury also recommended the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation work toward enlarging CMF facilities to better serve the inmate population.


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