Monday, March 31, 2014

A Solano County grand jury praises work on jail in Fairfield

A Solano County grand jury report released Thursday praised the sheriff's office for the maintenance and operation of its main jail facility in downtown Fairfield.

The report indicated that the Grand Jury began its investigation and inspection of the main jail, at 530 Union Ave., in Fairfield, late last year. The jurors found the facility to be clean, debris free, well maintained and well organized, according to the report.

The jail facility, opened in 1989 with a capacity rated at 537 beds, and expanded in 1999 to facilitate 740 beds.

According to the report, sheriff's officials informed the grand jury that inmate violence on staff has increased sharply since the implementation of AB109, commonly referred to as the criminal justice realignment act. One aspect of the legislation created a change in sentencing guidelines and has resulted in some inmates formerly destined for state prison to remain in county jails.

"The sheriff's office informed the grand jury that inmates have become more brazen, more willing to ignore a deputy's orders and instigate a confrontation likely to result in violence," the report stated.

From September to November, local police agencies made 2,233 bookings, with Fairfield and Vallejo accounting for more than half of that total. Total bookings for 2013 reached 14,600.

The grand jury's inspection also included the jail's medical facility, in which there was no appearance of impropriety, according to the report.

The grand jury simply recommended that the sheriff's office continue with its current operation and maintenance procedures.

"The sheriff's office should be complimented for exhibiting and providing a high level of proficiency on the security, safety, and service to the citizens of Solano County," the grand jury wrote.

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_25452140/solano-county-grand-jury-praises-work-jail-fairfield

No comments: