By Liz Kellar
Staff Writer
The Nevada County Grand Jury has released two new reports that deal with security concerns at the county jail and the inmate holding facility at the Nevada County Courthouse.
The grand jury discussed security improvements at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility, although the report noted that a comprehensive study was conducted by an outside consultant in February 2010. An annual grand jury report on the public prison is mandated by the state.
The grand jury found that while the jail is well-managed, security improvements should be made as soon as possible.
These include upgrading the security system; providing centralized control of visiting-room and multipurpose-room doors; adding several cameras to the video surveillance system; upgrading the recording function of the video surveillance system, and replacing the drop-down ceilings in the minimum-security dormitories.
The report noted that the Nevada County Board of Supervisors recently approved a Request for Proposals to solicit bids for the needed work. The report recommended the board should immediately approve the funds needed to upgrade the security system, to include video recording and playback capabilities.
“We are moving forward on the security upgrades,” said Nevada County Sheriff Keith Royal. “It's out to bid and should happen shortly.”
The second report addresses inmate security and public safety issues involving the holding facility at the courthouse, which also must be inspected annually.
The report noted that the current courthouse is scheduled for replacement, but added, “since the time frame for replacement ... has not been fully defined, the Nevada County Grand Jury recommends that the items of concern noted during their inspection should be addressed immediately.”
The grand jury recommended that the Nevada County Sheriff's Office should install upgraded locks controlled by the driver in all inmate transport vans; properly use the sally port for loading and unloading of all inmates; and clear individuals from hallways when inmates are moved to courtrooms.
The Nevada County Sheriff should negotiate with the Nevada County Superior Court to reduce the length of time the parking garage roll-up gates remain open; install additional surveillance cameras in the parking garage; install surveillance cameras in the inmate transport elevator; and install additional surveillance cameras to eliminate a blind spot in one area of the courthouse.
“We will explore addressing these issues, but there are budget concerns,” Royal said. “We'll take a serious look at it.”
“The recommendations include some things that are potentially doable, but it's not my call,” said Court Executive Officer Sean Metroka. “We will work with (the Sheriff's Office) in any way we can.”
To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4229.
http://www.theunion.com/article/20110609/NEWS/110609774/1053&parentprofile=1053
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