Jail Culture and Environment (JCE)
As of April 1, 2024
The pending summarized recommendations listed below reflect the most current information and actions taken since the previous Board Study Session. Summarized recommendations marked as audited or pending review have been updated for the May 7, 2024 Board Study Session.
There are 36 recommendations in the category of Programs that are included in the Summarized Recommendations below.
Steps Taken: The Sheriff’s Office has been reaching out to other agencies to learn about best practices and revamping the Jail Training Officer program to identify new training to affirm an organizational philosophy of zero tolerance of excessive use of force, intimidation or retaliation from staff or inmates. A history of excessive force, misconduct, violence, racism, other forms of bigotry, or any variance from the Office’s core values are automatically disqualifying for hiring of enforcement and correctional officers. These philosophies will also be incorporated into existing policy and/or practice within the Sheriff’s Office. This work in already underway as the Office of the Sheriff is in the process of reviewing current policies to make any necessary revisions and reforms in collaboration with the unions.
The Sheriff’s Office indicates they have a continued need for additional staffing to implement this recommendation. Additional staffing needs will be reviewed as part of the staffing study. The Training and Compliance Unit has instituted a forty-hour Jail Training Officer course that all Jail Training Officers must complete in order to train new deputies.
The Custody Bureau has enhanced the Use of Force reporting and review system to mirror best practice models. This enhancement was made at the recommendation of the use of force monitors for the consent decrees. The enhanced system requires that all use of force incident reports be accompanied by a revised supervisor’s review tool. The review tool is used after the supervisor has completed their use of force investigation immediately after an event has occurred. The tool requires supervisors to answer a specific set of questions to ensure their investigation was thorough and focused on determining if the force used followed policy and the law. The revised review system requires all use of force video captured for each event to be uploaded directly to the Sheriff’s Office centralized cloud-based storage system. Use of Force related video recordings are now immediately available to supervisors, managers, investigators, and command staff. The system changes have made it easier for the agency to capture and track better use of force data.
Budget Status: The Board approved the following:
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget: 10 Sheriff’s Correctional Deputy positions and 1 Sheriff’s Correctional Sergeant position ($1.6 million) were added as Multi Support Deputies to support the multi-disciplinary healthcare staff and support staff teams.
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget: 6 Rehabilitation Officer positions and 1 Senior Management Analyst ($1.1 million) for programming and discharge planning.
- FY 2019 Adopted Budget: Added 8 Sheriff Correctional Deputy positions to be assigned as part of the Behavioral Health Team in the Multi Support Unit and 1 Sheriff Correctional Sergeant position to be assigned to oversee facility-wide out-of-cell time and restrictive housing for Main Jail administration ($1,454,527).
- February 26, 2019: Added $5,000,000 in ongoing funding from the Special Programs Labor Reserve to the Sheriff’s Department of Correction Contract relating to augmentation of salaries and benefits for use of overtime.
- June 4, 2019: Approved funding in the amount of $7,750,000 for the Sheriff’s Office to cover increased jail operations costs.
- June 23, 2020: Approved a request to transfer funds from the General Fund Contingency Reserve to the Department of Correction ($9.2 million).
- FY 2021 Adopted Budget: Delete 1.0 FTE Rehabilitation Officer II position in the Inmate Screening Unit to screen inmates for in- and out-of-custody programs ($181,738).
- FY 2021 Adopted Budget: Delete 8.0 FTE vacant Sheriff’s Correctional deputy positions in the jail ($1,572,136).
- FY 2021 Adopted Budget: Reduce overtime in jail operations ($1,131,981). The Sheriff’s office implemented operational changes to reduce the need for overtime.
- FY 2021 Adopted Budget: Delete 2.0 FTE vacant Sheriff Correctional Deputy positions that are funded by Public Safety Realignment (AB109).
FY 2021 Adopted Budget: Delete 37.0 FTE Correctional Deputy positions and 1.0 FTE Sheriff’s Correctional Sergeant Position ($7,363,913) - FY 2021 Adopted Budget: Delete 3.0 FTE Rehabilitation Officer positions ($545,214).
- February 9, 2021: Delete 1.0 FTE Rehabilitation Officer II position related to the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program as part of the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Mid-Year Budget Review ($206,474).
- February 8, 2022: As part of the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Mid-Year Budget Review, the Board approved an increase in expenditure appropriations by $3,564,258 within the Sheriff’s Office budget relating to increased costs in overtime to maintain essential services throughout the jail operations.
- March 8, 2022: Add 43.0 FTE Correctional Deputy positions related to the Chavez and Cole Consent Decree Remedial Plans to work directly with the Custody Health Services Behavioral Health Teams to provide acute or seriously mentally ill, intellectually disabled, and cognitive disability inmates with assisted daily living services, escorts, access to care, and constant and direct supervision of mental health structured programming and out-of-cell time ($750,224).
- February 7, 2023: As part of the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Mid-Year Budget Review, the Board approved a one-time increase of $200,000 for expenditure appropriations in the Office of the Sheriff’s Custody Bureau budget related to recruitment efforts to increase the number of qualified candidates to maintain essential services through the jail operations.
- February 7, 2023: As part of the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Mid-Year Budget Review, the Board approved a one-time increase of $4.1 million for expenditure appropriations in the Department of Correction – Sheriff Contract Budget Unit related to increased costs in overtime to maintain essential services throughout the jail operations.
Source Report(s): Sheriff’s Jail Reform Plan, Human Relations Commission
Responsible Department(s): Sheriff’s Office
Master List Nos.: 317, 321, 322, 362
Review Date: FGOC reviewed on December 19, 2016.
Steps Taken: The Sheriff's Office agrees and is evaluating policies of IA investigators from other jurisdictions in addition to existing Sheriff’s Office policies. The Sheriff’s Office has also been working with the Employee Services Agency (ESA) for a year and a half to establish a special investigator classification that could help to expedite Internal Affairs investigations. Currently, the Special Investigator duties have been fulfilled by eight (8) Contractors, whose contracts are due to expire in March, 2017. The Sheriff’s Office is awaiting additional information from ESA on the Special Investigator classification.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to review and prioritize serious allegations submitted to the Internal Affairs Unit. The IA Lieutenant is responsible for monitoring caseloads and assigning cases in avoidance of any conflicts of interest.
This Summarized Recommendation is pending review by the Office of Correction and Law Enforcement (OCLEM) as part of the Jail Reforms Audit to assess the status of implementation.
Budget Status: The Board approved the following:
- February 2016: 1 Sheriff’s Sergeant for the Internal Affairs Unit ($229,610).
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget: 2 Sheriff’s Sergeant positions and 1 Management Analyst position to the Internal Affairs Unit ($591,854).
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget: 1 Sheriff’s Correctional Lieutenant position and 2 Management Analyst positions ($502,408) to track, investigate, and respond to grievances.
- FY 2018 Adopted Budget: 2 Senior Management Analyst positions ($338,062) to conduct audits, provide quality assurance of grievance responses, identify trends, and produce training materials regarding grievances.
County Administration and the department are evaluating to determine if additional resources are needed.
Source Report(s): Zisser
Responsible Department(s): Sheriff’s Office
Master List Nos.: 508, 512, 513
Review Date: FGOC reviewed on December 19, 2016
Steps Taken: On January 31, 2022, the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Jail Management System (JMS) was released to the County's vendor pool. The new JMS will replace various disparate and outdated systems, increase the safety of inmates and staff and enhance jail operations, inmate management and data management. The Operations Manual is currently under review for update. Unrestricted Operations plans are currently available at West Gate and North Information Desk. When the Operations Manual is updated, unrestricted sections, such as the Use of Force and Body Worn Cameras General Orders will be posted online.
The Sheriff’s Office has been analyzing issues and compiling resource need requests for FY 2018 related to this Summarized Recommendation, which will help to conduct research and policy development for both Custody and Enforcement. The primary function of these positions will be to track, monitor and implement jail reforms. They will also evaluate external best practices to ensure the Sheriff’s Office Custody and Enforcement Bureaus are remaining up to date and are consistent in both Bureaus. They will be tasked with developing management reports to recommendations to Executive Staff for areas of improvement. This will allow Office of Operational Standards and Inspection Unit within the Sheriff’s Office Custody Bureau to focus on audits and policy compliance. They will evaluate commissary options and establish the Vocational Training Program.
The Sheriff’s Office has contracted with Gary Raney to conduct a culture assessment that can be used to develop an employee and inmate survey to track ongoing progress. His initial report of findings will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 3, 2018.
The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to develop data reports to guide operations. The new Grievance Monthly dashboard is the first publicly available report and it is on the Sheriff’s Jail Reforms website.
The Sheriff’s Office has completed this recommendation to the extent possible with the existing technology infrastructure. In the future, the new Jail Management System will assist with conducting audits and creating management reports.
On June 27, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with The ACT 1 Group, Inc., relating to providing a Jail Management System (JMS) to the County. The JMS involves modernizing the Sheriff’s Office day-to-day business operations, tracking, and reporting of:
- Inmate management (e.g., intake/booking, classification, housing, movement, transportation, and release);
- Inmate programs (e.g., behavioral and rehabilitation services, life skills, job development, alternative sentencing);
- Investigations (e.g., grievances, incidents, use of force); and
- Administration management (County, State, and Federal reporting requirements).
The JMS replacement project will increase the safety of inmates and staff through access to real time inmate data, enhance jail operations and inmate management, and improve reporting and data sharing with other agencies.
Budget Status: The Board approved the following that could have an impact on strategic planning:
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget, the Board approved $715,000 to purchase body-worn cameras for the Custody Bureau.
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget: 1 IS Manager II position, 1 IS Analyst II position, and 1 IS Technician III position to support IT projects in the Sheriff’s Office ($456,419).
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget: $7.5 million for a Jail Management System to track and manage the jail population.
- On January 24, 2017, the Board approved an agreement with Taser International relating to providing body-worn cameras not-to-exceed $3,980,684. Additionally, the Board approved one-time funding related to body-worn cameras in the amount of $1,136,002 for equipment costs ($414,510), one-time overtime costs related to training ($422,000), and salary costs ($299,492). The salary costs were for the addition of 1 Deputy Sheriff and 2 Senior Training & Staff Development Specialists positions, and 1 Sheriff's Correctional Deputy position with ongoing costs of $730, 367.
- FY 2018 Adopted Budget: Additional $5.4 million for the Jail Management System to track and manage the jail population.
- On September 12, 2017, the Board approved an agreement with Tribridge Holdings, LLC, relating to providing a Jail Management System and Services.
- On June 5, 2018, the Board approved an amendment to an agreement with Tribridge Holdings, LLC relating to providing Jail Management System and services in the amount of $12,000.
- On May 8, 2018: The Board approved a transfer of $71,610 from the General Fund Contingency Reserve to the Office of the Sheriff's budget to purchase additional body-worn cameras.
- FY 2019 Adopted Budget: Approved one-time funding in the amount of $47,680 and on-going funding in the amount of $288,710 to add 270 body worn cameras for Sheriff Deputies and Correctional Officers.
- FY 2019 Adopted Budget: Added 1 Senior Business Information Technology Consultant position and 3 Senior Programming Analyst positions in TSS to support jail IT projects in the Sheriff's Office ($760,382).
- FY 2019 Adopted Budget: Approved $1,033,400 for Jail Management System (JMS) to increase additional support to address Jail Management System add-ons for functionality and JSM-RFID (Inmate Tracking).
- FY 2020 Adopted Budget: Added 3 positions in the Technology Services and Solutions Department to support public safety projects and jail reform efforts ($672,268)
- FY 2020 Adopted Budget: Approved one-time funding in the amount of $379,441 and ongoing funding of $35,000 to replace radio consoles and hand-held radios at the jail facilities.
- FY 2020 Adopted Budget: Added one Program Manager III position in the Sheriff’s Office to support the CLETS Compliance Unit, Public Safety programs, and jail reform efforts ($189,111).
- As part of the FY 2021 Adopted Budget, the Board approved following actions:
- Add one Enterprise Architect position and one Solutions Architect position in the Technology Services and Solutions Department to support Public Safety and Justice IT systems ($560,520).
- Allocate funding to Implement IT Capital Projects Public Safety and Justice Vertical Category: CJIC and the Department of Correction Jail Management System Replacement ($12,418,800).
- On February 8, 2022, as part of the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Mid-Year Budget Review, the Board approved an increase in expenditure appropriations by $3,564,258 within the Sheriff’s Office budget relating to increased costs in overtime to maintain essential services throughout the jail operations.
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September 13, 2022: Board approved an agreement for an inmate tracking system to allow the Office of the Sheriff and the County to better determine whether individuals in custody are receiving appropriate treatment and care, such as out-of-cell time, access to programming, access to health care services, and court transportation, and to demonstrate compliance with the consent decrees relating to the County jails ($1,648,792).
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December 6, 2022: Board approved an agreement relating to providing body-worn cameras and other related services in an amount not-to-exceed $16 million for a period through December 12, 2027.
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February 7, 2023: As part of the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Mid-Year Budget Review, the Board approved a one-time increase of $4.1 million for expenditure appropriations in the Department of Correction – Sheriff Contract Budget Unit related to increased costs in overtime to maintain essential services throughout the jail operations.
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February 7, 2023: As part of the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Mid-Year Budget Review, the Board approved a one-time increase of $580,000 for expenditure appropriations to support overtime training requirements in the Custody Bureau.
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On June 27, 2023, the Board approved an agreement with The ACT 1 Group, Inc., relating to providing a Jail Management System (JMS) to the County in an amount not to exceed $9,000,000.
Source Report(s): Sheriff’s Jail Reform Plan, Blue Ribbon Commission on Improving Custody Operations, Department of Justice
Responsible Department(s): Sheriff’s Office
Master List Nos.: 9-10, 170, 189-190, 193, 361
Review Date: FGOC reviewed on December 19, 2016.
Steps Taken: The Sheriff's Office agrees with this recommendation. Supervisory staff has been provided with a memorandum outlining their roles and responsibilities. They meet with lieutenants regularly, and have access to policies/procedures. Employee evaluations, special assignments, letters of recommendation, and employee of the month awards ensure staff incentives demonstrate the importance of staff culture. Currently the Facility Commanders conduct quarterly Management and Supervision meetings to ensure thoughts, concerns and ideas are shared. The process allows for management to express expectations to supervisory staff and also provide on-going coaching and mentoring sessions. The Sheriff’s Office will be holding training in February for sergeants that will include a session on Jail Reforms.
The Sheriff’s Office has contracted with Gary Raney to conduct a culture assessment that can be used to develop an employee and inmate survey to track ongoing progress. His initial report of findings will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 3, 2018. Additional training will be completed with the sergeants in March of 2018 by Gary Raney.
On July 18, 2018 GAR, Inc. presented the results of the first inmate survey. The results have been posted on the Sheriff’s Jail Reforms website. The Sheriff’s Office plans to continue inmate surveys annually as recommended by GAR, Inc. once tablets have been introduced to the inmates at the facilities.
In April 2019, an expert consultant team began work on a staffing study of the jail and law enforcement operations to help inform the budget process, short-term and long-range strategies, and future Board actions.
The Custody Division’s portion of the staffing study being conducted by CGL, an outside consultant. Since 2019 and 2020 when CGL was conducting their analysis and preparing the staffing study, much has changed due to COVID-19. As such, the work papers did not provide the analysis required to assist the Board with budgetary and staffing level decisions. The Board was notified that Administration was recommending a new competitive solicitation process. In September 2021, a Request for Information (RFI) was issued to engage experts in an analysis of current staffing studies in a correctional setting and the recommended approach for ensuring the analysis has the flexibility to respond to a changing criminal justice landscape. A draft preliminary report is expected to be presented by County Administration during the October 2021 meeting of the Finance and Government Operations Committee.
The Office of the Sheriff has received a quote from The Moss Group to perform a follow-up climate survey. The Office of the Sheriff will seek funding in the amount of $108,474 to complete the project.
Budget Status: County Administration and the department are evaluating to determine if additional resources are needed.
Source Report(s): Department of Justice, Human Relations Commission
Responsible Department(s): Sheriff’s Office
Master List Nos.: 186-188, 192, 194, 196, 318
Review Date: FGOC reviewed on December 19, 2016.
Steps Taken: The Sheriff’s Office agrees with these recommendations and is working to address each area. Many of these areas are currently addressed by way of daily briefings, deputy to deputy shift-change information-exchange, and all sworn staff having access to share- drive (memos) and email accounts for direct communication. A new jail management system (JMS) system will further improve upon this endeavor. A Discharge/Transition Work Group, which consists of the Sheriff/Probation/Custody Health/Ambulatory Care/Behavioral Health Services, RRC Behavioral Health and Faith-based staff, Office of Reentry Services, and Office of Supportive Housing, meets monthly to address the challenges of the transitional population. In the case of unexpected court releases or bail outs, there is a limited amount of time to implement a case plan. For those with known release dates, the Rehabilitation Officer communicates with RRC to make the necessary connections with services.
Budget Status: The Board approved the following:
- FY 2016 Adopted Budget: 1 Sheriff’s Correctional Sergeant position and 1 Sheriff’s Correctional Deputy position ($314,500) were added for the Professional Compliance unit, now known as the Operational Standards and Inspection Unit (OSIU).
- November 2015: Also for the Professional Compliance Unit, now known as the Operational Standards and Inspection Unit (OSIU),1 Sheriff’s Correctional Lieutenant, 1 Sheriff’s Correctional Sergeant, and 2 Sheriff’s Correctional Deputy positions were added ($741,000)
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget: 5 Sheriff’s Correctional Deputy positions and 1 Clerk position ($827,539) were added to the Operational Standards and Inspection Unit to support policy and compliance work.
- FY 2020 Adopted Budget: Approved two Janitor position in Custody Health Services to maintain a safe and hygienic environment at Main Jail and Elmwood facilities ($172,058).
- FY 2020 Adopted Budget: Added one Program Manager III position in the Sheriff’s Office to support the CLETS Compliance Unit, Public Safety programs, and jail reform efforts ($189,111).
- FY 2021 Adopted Budget: Delete 1.0 FTE Rehabilitation Officer II position in the Inmate Screening Unit to screen inmates for in- and out-of-custody programs ($181,738).
- FY 2021 Adopted Budget: Delete 3.0 FTE Rehabilitation Officer positions ($545,214).
- February 9, 2021: Delete 1.0 FTE Rehabilitation Officer II position related to the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program as part of the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Mid-Year Budget Review ($206,474).
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FY 2022 Adopted Budget: Funding for an Inmate Records Information System to additional resources related to the Jail Management System set to replace the Criminal Justice Information Control (CJIC) ($2,008,746).
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On June 27, 2023: The Board approved an agreement with The ACT 1 Group, Inc., relating to providing a Jail Management System (JMS) to the County in an amount not to exceed $9,000,000.
Source Report(s): Department of Justice, Human Relations Commission, Blue Ribbon Commission on Improving Custody Operations, Commission on the Status of Women, Zisser
Responsible Department(s): Sheriff’s Office
Master List Nos.: 124-125, 162, 173, 176, 185, 319-320, 515, 525, 543
Review Date: FGOC reviewed on December 19, 2016.
Quick Links
- Americans with Disabilities Act Facility and Programs (ADA)
- Custody Hiring, Staffing, and Training (HST)
- External Oversight, Reporting, and Organizational Accountability (OVR)
- Grievance Policies and Procedure (GRV)
- Inmate Classification Policies and Procedures (CLS)
- Inmate Services (ISV)
- Jail Culture and Environment (JCE)
- Jail Facilities (JAF)
- Programs (PGM)
- Suicide Prevention (SUI)
- Use of Force (UOF)
- Staff Accountability (STF)
- Inmate Healthcare (HLC)