(Imperial) County Grand Jury Report Cites Problems

(Imperial) County grand jury report cites narcotics and cellphone problems at local state prisons

By SILVIO J. PANTA, Staff Writer

An ongoing problem of illegal narcotics and a continuing issue with inmates in possession of cellular phones are problems that Centinela and Calipatria state prisons are dealing with, according to the findings of a final report issued by the Imperial County
Civil Grand Jury.

The report concluded that both prisons are generally well-run “with no major issues uncovered” during annually mandated inspections conducted by the civil grand jury.

The presence of illegal drugs is common in most modern prisons. The grand jury recommended that local prison officials “make use of one or more trained narcotic dogs that would be assigned to one or both prisons.”

In addition, both prisons should work with local, state and national authorities “to overcome the federal resistance to block illegal cell phone signals,” according to the report.

The civil grand jury is allowed to issue as many reports as it can as long as they are done before the end of the fiscal year, June 30, said Imperial County Civil Grand Jury Foreman Gil Rapoza.
More reports by the civil grand jury are expected, Rapoza said.

Centinela State Prison Administrative Lt. Jesse Jackson was unable to immediately comment and referred all questions to Chief Deputy Warden Amy Miller, who did not return a call for comment.

Administrative Lt. Jorge Santana of Calipatria State Prison said that efforts are always being undertaken to assure that drugs and cellular phone use are curtailed. “We’re constantly searching and make every reasonable effort,” Santana said.

Copyright © 2011, Imperial Valley Press