Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Releases Annual Jail Report

by Santa Cruz News

Fri, Jun 26, 2015 1:56PM

This week the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury released its annual jail report, which is based on their inspection of county detention facilities from January to April of 2015. The report details numerous improvements made to the Santa Cruz Main Jail on Water Street since the Grand Jury's last visit, but found that inmates complained about, "the variety of food served," and, "the lack of contact visits." According to the Grand Jury Report, "contact visits are not currently allowed because of security concerns, staffing impacts and lack of appropriate space." The report found that inmates at the Rountree facility in Watsonville complained about, "the quality of footwear and problems with foot fungus," and also about the food served, and, "the lack of contact visits."

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The Grand Jury found the Blaine Street women's facility to be, "clean, but aged."

"Most of the fixed furnishings looked like original equipment and in need of updating. There was painting in progress, but kitchen and bath areas had not been maintained well; jurors observed dripping faucets and a non-functional stove hood. The outside patio area, while pleasant, was a bit run down, and the fence was sagging and low enough to allow contraband to be passed over the top," the report states.

The report also found that the Main Jail's educational programs were lacking, stating: "As a result of AB 109, the average stay of inmates in county jails is longer. The jail’s educational and self-improvement programming is not set up for long-term inmates. The Grand Jury learned there are approximately 105 hours per week of programming offered by about 30 different groups."

Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/default.aspx?tabid=895

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