July
8, 2014
Appeal-Democrat
By Julie R.
Johnson/Corning Observer
The Tehama County 2013-14 grand
jury documented several investigations into county departments and facilities
in its final report, including the Coroner's Office and the jail.
The grand jury found the
Coroner's Office to function well within the confines of its responsibilities
as required under government code, and reported the staff to be "well
trained and experienced in performing their assigned duties."
Recommendations from the jury
included the purchase and installation of an additional two-person cold storage
unit which would be useful for storage of larger-sized bodies, and the purchase
and installation of a commercial type washer and dryer unit for cost-effective
measures.
By law, the coroner's office is
required to investigate any sudden, violent, or unusual deaths, or deaths that
fall within the jurisdiction of the county coroner, establish the positive
identity of the deceased and determine the date, time, circumstance and the
cause and manner of death.
Members of the grand jury met
with the staff of the Tehama County sheriff/coroner in October and November.
The jury reported the Coroner's
Office consists of Tehama County Sheriff/Coroner Dave Hencratt, supervising
assistant to the coroner and two deputy coroners.
Grand jury members learned each
staff member is trained in the laws and policies relating to their duties, each
has years of experience handling cases and the office has received no
documented complaints during the years of the current administration.
According to the report,
records indicate 279 cases were investigated by the Coroner's Office last year.
Autopsies may be required on an
average of 25 to 30 cases each year to determine the cause of death. According
to records, six autopsies were performed outside of the county requiring a
forensic pathologist and 25 autopsies were performed in the local facilities
last year.
Autopsy costs vary by case,
ranging in average from $300 to $500, with cases requiring a forensic
pathologist reaching $2,500, reported the grand jury.
Tehama County Jail
As required by law, the grand
jury toured the Tehama County Jail, inquiring into the condition and management
of the facility.
"The grand jury found the
facility well-kept," the report said. "The staff was cordial and
cooperative and the inmates interviewed were clean and respectful."
The report noted the county is
moving ahead with plans to build a new Day Reporting Center to deal with the
effects of the state's prison realignment program.
Grand jury members visited the
jail in October and February, conducting "extensive" interviews with
staff and inmates.
"The inmates interviewed
expressed feeling safe and respected," the report said. "They said
they have access to jail administration when needed. Medical, dental and
counseling services are available upon request."
During the investigation, the
grand jury learned there are only two holding cells at the jail — one
designated as a solitary confinement/safety cell, the other a sobering cell.
In its findings, the grand jury
said there is a need for additional sobering/safety cells, a need for bilingual
staff, a lack of parenting classes, the GED program is not functioning and
there is a lack of activities for inmates "such as board games, art
materials, exercise equipment, books and job opportunities."
However, the jury commended the
jail on its vocational program, projected plans for the proposed day reporting
center, and kitchen staff's recycling program.
The grand jury recommended jail
administration seek sources for contributions of activity supplies for the
inmates, and placing a "higher priority on hiring bilingual personnel as
new hires occur."
The report said the proposed
day reporting center has the potential to rectify some of the problems the jail
is currently facing, such as additional safety/sobering cells.
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