Vacaville Prison needs more inmate jobs, says jury

Following an inspection of California State Prison, Solano, the Solano County grand jury is recommending the Vacaville prison try to open up more positions for inmates who want to work in its Prison Industries programs.

According to the 2008-09 grand jury report, the Prison Industry Authority at CSP Solano operates vocational programs involving metal fabrication, an optical laboratory, book bindery, prison laundry and warehousing.

"The Prison Industries Authority employs inmates and trains them to enhance their ability to obtain employment when they are released from prison," the grand jury report notes.

Inmates working in the metal fabrication program manufacture specialized vehicle equipment for CalTrans, as well as metal furniture and lockers for use in use in prisons statewide. The optical laboratory manufactures both prescription eyewear and safety glasses for state prison inmates, wards of the Youth Authority, Medicare and Medi-Cal patients, state hospitals and some government employees.

Inmates working in the prison bindery produce loose-leaf binders for state government as well as state highway signs and disabled license plates, while inmates in the laundry provide services for Vacaville's California Medical Facility and Napa State Hospital. Inmates working in the warehouse program help handle prison supplies.

The programs at CSP-Solano currently employ 546 inmates and the grand jury recommends the prison attempt to provide additional jobs in the future.

"There are not enough positions available for all inmates who are seeking to work in Prison Industries programs," the grand jury reported. "It can be argued that adding positions to these programs would not actually result in greater costs to the state, as the work product provided by Prison Industries workers represents a cost savings to the state departments that use these products and services."

The grand jury also expressed concern over the smuggling of cell phones into the prison. The report echoes grand jurors' concerns included in a previous report about neighboring California Medical Facility, where smuggled cell phones have been reported.

"This creates additional security problems," the report states.

The grand jury recommends the Board of Supervisors sponsor legislation to make it a felony for inmates to possess cell phones in the prison.

The complete text of Solano County Grand Jury reports can be accessed on the grand jury website at www.solanocourts.com.

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