The 2018-2019 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury (SCCGJ) has conducted its annual detention facility inspections, as required by the California Penal Code. The inspections included Stanislaus County Probation Department’s Juvenile Hall (JH), Juvenile Commitment Center (JCC), the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Detention Center, Re-entry and Enhanced Alternatives to Custody Training Facility (REACT), and Day Reporting Center (DRC).
Physical inspections of each facility were conducted between Oct. 9, 2018 and Feb. 12, 2019 with the report recently issued.
Members of the Civil Grand Jury toured both the Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall (JH) and Stanislaus County Juvenile Commitment Center (JCC). Both facilities house youth who committed offenses prior to their 18th birthday. The JH was built in 1977 and houses up to 158 pre-adjudicated youth. The Maximum Security Unit was added in 2000, and Girls Unit was added in 2003. The JH provides a safe and secure environment for youth pending juvenile court appearances. The JCC was built in 2013 and houses up to 60 post-adjudicated youth. The goal of the JCC is to change the delinquent habits, attitudes, behaviors of youth and to guide them toward a more productive and pro-social lifestyle. Changes are accomplished through education, training, and counseling services.
Youth at the JDF are provided with a safe and secure environment. The facility appears to be adequately staffed with qualified, experienced personnel. The staff is engaged with the youth and is professional in their performance of duties. The youth receive education, counseling, and medical services. The facility is clean and well-maintained. The JCC kitchen prepares the food for the facility. Youth are provided a menu of varied nutritious items. The kitchen was very clean and can serve a population in excess of the capacity of the JCF. A vegetable garden and greenhouse have been added as a learning activity for the youth.
Currently a game room is available as a reward to youth who have demonstrated positive behavior.
The Re-Entry and Enhanced Alternatives to Custody Training Facility (REACT) opened May 21, 2018 and houses low-risk adult offenders. Inmates in REACT have the opportunity to participate in programming that will prepare them for successful re-entry into the community. A total of 42 educational and treatment programs have been developed for inmates and are available on a rotating basis. On the day jurors toured REACT 145 inmates were housed in the facility. The housing capacity of the facility is 292 inmates; however, the current population is limited due to lack of staff. Inmate visitations are currently conducted by video.
The Day Reporting Center (DRC) offers a wide variety of services to adult offenders under the jurisdiction of the Stanislaus County Probation Department. The overall goal of the facility is to reduce the likelihood of recidivism. The facility is operated in partnership with the probation department, sheriff’s department, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS), and Community Services Agency (CSA). The DRC provides classes in life skills, domestic violence prevention, substance abuse prevention, GED preparation, computer skills, and employment searching. Some of the course providers include Sierra Vista, Learning Quest, LCA Leadership, and Nirvana.
Upon arrival at the DRC participants are screened for sobriety and appropriate attire. Individuals who are intoxicated or wearing gang clothing are not allowed to participate in programming for that day. DRC does not charge participants for classes.
The Sheriff’s Detention Center is a state-of-the-art facility providing safe and secure housing for individuals detained in Stanislaus County. SDC is a new addition to the Sheriff’s detention facility with a capacity of approximately 500 inmates. SDC has a comprehensive medical clinic that will limit the need to transport inmates for outside medical services. SDC operates a mental health housing unit and a mental competency program to assess inmates’ trial readiness. The central kitchen prepares the food for all of the Sheriff’s detention facilities. As with other facilities inmate visitations are currently conducted by video.
June 19, 2019
Oakdale Leader
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