Jail Facilities (JAF)
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 93 recommendations in the category of Jail Facilities that are included in the Summarized Recommendations below. Of the 93 recommendations, 55 have been reviewed already as part of Suicide Prevention. The remaining 38 recommendations are summarized below.
Steps Taken: With regard to facilities, Main Jail North men’s booking area counters are 100% complete, and designs for women’s booking area are approved and construction was completed in Spring 2017. M-1 construction was completed in October 2017, and BSCC has requested modifications to areas outside scope of the project and are under evaluation by County staff.
For CHS, programming has been increased for inmates in 8A. A tracking method for outside medical records exists through VMC Health Information Management (HIM).
This Summarized Recommendation is pending review by the Office of Correction and Law Enforcement Monitoring (OCLEM) as part of the Jail Reforms Audit to assess the status of implementation.
Budget Status: On March 1, 2016, the Board approved $250,000 for the Main Jail North Reconfiguration project to address reasonable privacy issues during screenings and assessments at the intake booking area.
Currently, staff is ensuring that assessments are conducted in a reasonably private location.
As part of the FY 2016 Adopted Budget, the Board approved $3 million in funding for M-1 Renovations to open the unit and increase the number of medical beds. On March 22, 2016, the Board approved an additional $1.4 million to complete funding for this project.
The Board approved the following staff to assist in creating a therapeutic and programming environment:
- December 2015: 59 positions in Custody Health Services to provide multi-disciplinary healthcare staff and support staff ($16.6 million) for mentally ill inmates in need of behavioral health services during incarceration and re- integration into the community.
- 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 behavioral health teams.
- FY 2018 Adopted Budget: Added new Psychiatrist position to provide on-site clinical oversight of behavioral health services, and Hospital Services Assistant position, 2 Clinical Nurse III positions, and one Staff Developer position to support jail reform efforts ($1.4 million).
- January 23, 2018: Added new Director, Custody Behavioral Services Positions, in Custody Health Services to provide oversight of all Custody Health behavioral health staff and services.
County Administration and the departments are evaluating to determine if additional resources are needed.
Source Report(s): Sheriff’s Jail Reform Plan, Blue Ribbon Commission on Improving Custody Operations, Healthcare Gap Analysis – Wilcox
Responsible Department(s): Custody Health Services, Facilities and Fleet
Master List Nos.: 100, 104, 422, 423, 424, 573, 576, 581, 582
Review Date: FGOC reviewed on January 26, 2017.
Steps Taken: Facilities and Fleet Department has completed designs for the surveillance systems at Main Jail North and Elmwood complexes. The Board approved the construction contract and funding for the project in February 2017. Construction started April 2017 and installation was substantially done by January 2018. This action includes the Anticipated Impact Report and Use Policy which outline the procedures for reviewing and storing records. The Sheriff’s Office has also drafted policies and procedures for Body Worn Cameras, which were approved by the Board in January 2017.
The Facilities and Fleet Department completed the permanent surveillance systems project as of April 2018. Both the Main Jail North and Elmwood facilities had a total of 1,393 surveillance cameras installed. 845 cameras were installed at Elmwood and 548 cameras were installed at Main Jail North. Additionally, for the Elmwood facility, the perimeter fence alarm system enhancement has been incorporated with the video surveillance system and some minor fine tuning is being completed.
This Summarized Recommendation has been audited by the Office of Correction and Law Enforcement Monitoring (OCLEM) and has been found to be implemented.
Budget Status: The Board approved the following:
- February 9, 2016: Board approved $820,000 in funding to design the video surveillance system for Main Jail North and Elmwood.
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget, the Board approved $715,000 to purchase body-worn cameras for the Custody Bureau.
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget: Board approved $10 million in funding for jail video surveillance systems for Main Jail North and Elmwood.
- December 6, 2016: the Board approved $300,000 in funding for a video surveillance system for Main Jail South.
- 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 for the addition of 1 Deputy Sheriff and 2 Senior Training & Staff Development Specialist positions, and 1 Sheriff's Correctional Deputy position with an ongoing cost of $730,367.
- February 7, 2017: The Board approved a transfer of $9.2 million from a reserve established for jail surveillance cameras as part of the FY 2017 Adopted Budget, and transferred the funds into the capital project for the Main Jail North and Elmwood video surveillance systems.
- June 20, 2017: The Board approved a transfer of $800,000 from a reserve established for jail surveillance cameras as part of the FY 2017 Adopted Budget, and transferred the funds into the capital project for the Main Jail North and Elmwood video surveillance systems. This additional funding will allow the existing contractor to integrate the proposed Elmwood perimeter fence detection systems and lighting upgrades work.
- 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: The Board approved one-time funding in the amount of $47,680 and ongoing 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 Electronic Repair Technician position to address electronic maintenance and security ($117,509).
Source Report(s): Sheriff’s Jail Reform Plan, Human Relations Commission, Blue Ribbon Commission on Improving Custody Operations
Responsible Department(s): Sheriff’s Office, Facilities and Fleet
Master List Nos.: 160-161, 323-324, 364
Review Date: FGOC reviewed on January 26, 2017.
Steps Taken: Additional positions for dental staff have been approved and the new dentist position has been filled.
Custody Health (CHS) has increased the clinic hours to accommodate more inmates.
CHS will consider additional services when the new dental office has been completed.
The Facilities and Fleet Department completed the design phase of the Main Jail Dental Suite Project and was approved to advertise the Invitation to Bid by the Board on September 11, 2018. In December 2018, the Board approved the Dental Suite Project contract with work scheduled to start in February 2019. An increase in the Supplemental Work Allowance for the Main Jail North Second Floor Dental Suite Relocation was approved by the Board on August 13, 2019 to ensure timely completion of the project. The new Main Jail dental clinic has been completed as of February 2020 and the new clinic is equipped with a panoramic radiograph device and two Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant examination stations.
Custody Health Services has the following updates to the dental services:
- Dental tools: In collaboration with Custody Bureau, ACHS has established a Safety and Security Policy of Dental Supplies to assure dental instrument accountability and safety checks both during and after the provision of dental care for every patient.
- Clinic Size and hours for treatment:
ACHS dental department has begun providing Saturday clinics for oral surgery to increase patient access to care
- Denture Repairs: ACHS began providing dentures for patients with certain dental conditions in March 2020.
- Dental X-ray: Dexis is the digital x-ray system which we use in Custody Dental. The Dexis system is installed on most of our Dental computers and thus allows for viewing images at various locations.
The Sheriff’s Office agrees with this recommendation.
M-1 is a medical housing area. Moving medical staff to this area will increase the probability that ‘old’ medical exam rooms/offices will be vacated and available to expand dental services. Access to laboratory services can be made available at VMC because space at the Main Jail is limited. The New Jail Replacement Facility will provide a large and comprehensive medical clinic with the following services: dental, ophthalmology, post/pre op center, dialysis, physical therapy, and a lab.
The Sheriff’s Office has completed all necessary work within their purview to implement this recommendation, including ensuring an open design of this area so it can be utilized for Medical or Mental Health care and innovative services and programs for high needs inmates.
For FY 202, the Board approved funding for a Dental Panorex Cone Beam CT Camera (Panorex CBCT unit) for comprehensive examinations of patients including those with impacted wisdom teeth to improve dental services and decrease patient transports to other facilities for these examinations as well as decrease disruption to a patient’s dental care. The new Panorex/CBCT unit will be housed at Elmwood and complement the existing unit at Main Jail eliminating the need to transport Elmwood patients to Main Jail for services and providing greater on-site care.
The Dental Panorex Cone Beam CT Camera was purchased with an existing infrastructure project underway at Elmwood to position and operationalize the new equipment in the radiology room due to space limitations within the existing Dental Clinic. The new equipment will complement the existing one at Main Jail providing greater access to care and cutting down on transportation to and from Elmwood and Main Jail for patient care.
CHS will be adding an extra-help dentist to assist in enhancing and improving patient access to care.
The Sheriff's Office Custody Bureau has assigned, dedicated officers serving the dental clinics which as improved patient access and enhanced patient flow throughout the clinics.
The Dental Panorex Cone Beam CT Camera has been installed in the Elmwood Radiology room and will be operational in the Fall 2023. This device will complement an existing camera at Main Jail eliminating patient
transports between jail facilities for patient care.
The extra-help dentist has been hired to enhance and improve patient access to care.
ACHS dental department continues its clinics for oral surgery to increase patient access to care.
Budget Status: The Board approved the following:
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget: 1 Dentist position and 1 Dental Assistant position to support Dental Services in the Jail ($326,928).
- FY 2019 Adopted Budget: Approved funding for the Main Jail North Second Floor Dental Suite Relocation in the amount of $1,700,000.
- FY 2020 Adopted Budget: Approved funding 3.5 Medical Unit Clerk positions to support the Intake Booking area to ensure proper and timely processing and scheduling of dental, medical, and behavioral health appointments ($341,680).
- As part of the FY 2021 Adopted Budget, the Board approved the following:
- Funding for the Space Feasibility Study of the Main Jail North booking area, along with exam rooms adjacent to booking to allow for a more efficient booking process ($225,000).
- FY 2023 Adopted Budget: Approved funding for Dental Panorex Cone Beam CT Camera ($250,000)
Source Report(s): Dental Gap Analysis – Shulman
Responsible Department(s): Sheriff’s Office, Custody Health Services, Facilities and Fleet
Master List Nos.: 558, 563-567, 569
Review Date: FGOC reviewed on January 26, 2017.
Steps Taken: The ADA and Grievance Tracking/Management System went live on June 5, 2017. A vendor for the new JMS has been selected and is in contract with the County. A multi-departmental team is currently in the data/work flow discovery phase of the project. The Sheriff's Office and TSS are currently working to solicit a new vendor for the new jail management system. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new Jail Management System (JMS) was released to the County’s vendor pool on January 31, 2022. Several subject matter experts in various correctional fields are providing valuable information to ensure the new system not only creates efficiencies, but also meets the needs of the jail reforms and remedial plan agreements.
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.
The Sheriff’s Office has worked with Procurement to select a vendor for a Jail Management System. The selected vendor will come to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
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:
- FY 2017 Adopted Budget: 1 Information Systems Manager II position, 1 Information Systems Analyst II position, and 1 Information Systems 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.
- 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.
- FY 2019 Adopted Budget: Added 1 Senior Business Information Technology Consultant position and 3 Senior Programming Analyst positions in TSS to support IT projects in the Sheriff's Office ($760,382).
- FY 2019 Adopted Budget: $1,033,400 for the Jail Management System (JMS). This increase is to provide additional support to address JMS 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: 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).
- On August 27, 2019, the Board approved an amendment to an agreement with Tribridge Holdings, LLC relating to providing Jail Management System and Services in the amount of $120,375.
- FY 2022 Adopted Budget: Add 1.0 FTE Field Support Specialist position to support Inmate Tablet Implementation and records management system implementation.
- FY 2022 Adopted Budget: Funding for the Inmate Tracking System to address additional resources ($973,699).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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, Department of Justice, Zisser, Human Relations Commission
Responsible Department(s): Sheriff’s Office, Custody Health Services, Facilities and Fleet
Master List Nos.: 198, 325, 429-431, 510
Review Date: FGOC reviewed on January 26, 2017.
Steps Taken: The Old Main Jail South Facility has been demolished.
Currently, inmates who are classified as minimum or medium security are housed at the Elmwood facility directly from intake booking.
The Sheriff’s Office has been aggressively down classing inmates and grouping inmates in housing areas where they can maximize out of cell time. Staff has also been diligent in ensuring adequate supplies are available to inmates.
This process has been challenged by continual capital improvement projects that are required to maintain aging facilities.
On December 18, 2018, the Board approved and authorized advertisement of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Design Build Contractor to the New Main Jail South Project. This project does include increased medical and mental health treatment space, as well as, increased educational and rehabilitation programming space. The RFQ and RFP for a design-build contractor were released in Spring 2020 with proposals due Fall 2020. However, the Design-Build process for the construction was cancelled. The County is now in the process of examining the need for a new facility versus a non-custodial mental health treatment facility, or other option. Therefore, until this is determined, portions of this recommendation cannot be completed.
Capital project improvements at Main Jail and Elmwood are ongoing and the Sheriff’s Office and other County departments are currently working with a consultant on the Elmwood Service Model and Operation Plan (SMOP). Any future funding needs will be handled through the Capital Projects process.
On June 18, 2019, the Board approved delegation of authority to the County Executive, or designee, to negotiate and execute an agreement related to providing maintenance services for the jail facilities not to exceed $250,000. The Procurement Department in collaboration with the Office of the Sheriff and the Facilities and Fleet Department are in the process of releasing an Invitation to Bid to establish an ongoing maintenance and storage contract for the jail video surveillance cameras. The delegation of authority will allow for enough time to complete the Invitation to Bid process for the jail video surveillance cameras ongoing maintenance and storage contract.
On September 24, 2019, the Board approved the recommendation by the Facilities and Fleet Department to award the contract for the Main Jail and Elmwood Custody Health Services Staff Work Area Modifications and work is underway on this project.
On January 25, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved Administration to move forward with the redesign efforts to build a New Jail Replacement Facility for 500 clients. The New Jail Replacement Facility is intended to address various needs, include maximizing space and program access for inmates with disabilities.
On October 18, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved Administration moving forward with a solicitation process for a consultant to refresh the program requirements for the New Jail Replacement Facility.
On February 28, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved the transfer of $1.6 million from the General Fund Jail Camera System Reserve to the Office of the Sheriff budget for the replacement of the public safety camera system throughout the Custody Bureau Facilities. The upgrades to the software and hardware are needed for the security camera system to operate optimally and minimize the risks of malfunction or data loss. The security camera system is used to create a record of the events that occurred in and around the jail facilities over 24-hour period each day.
Budget Status: The Board approved a resolution on February 23, 2016 that committed to accept the State funding and fund the remainder of the facility with County financing. To date, $60 million has been allocated to fund the design and construction of New Main Jail South from the General Fund. However, the Design-Build process for the construction was cancelled in January 2021. The Board approved numerous capital projects as part of the FY 2017 capital budget that achieve fire alarm and cell door replacement, Elmwood perimeter design, New Main Jail South design and construction, Main Jail North and Elmwood surveillance camera system, jail repairs and maintenance, and suicide prevention cell retrofits for a total amount of $49.6 million. In FY 2017, an additional $5.9 million was budgeted towards jail capital projects and $14.2 million was moved from a jail surveillance reserve and a jail facility project reserve to support jail projects. The FY 2018 Adopted Budget includes an additional $25.6 million for various jail capital projects.
In FY 2018, the Board allocated an additional $3.3 million on March 20, 2018 from the General Fund Contingency Reserve to the Facilities and Fleet Department budget for the Elmwood Correctional facility roof replacements for M8, W1, and W4 and approved funding transfers of $900,000 for the Main Jail North cell hardening project with funds coming from the General Fund Contingency Reserve on April 3, 2018. Also, the FY 2019 Adopted Budget included an additional $34.1 million for various jail capital projects - Main Jail North and Elmwood ADA Improvements, Main Jail North Fire Alarm replacement project, suicide prevention measures, and replacement of support services fire panel and sensors at Elmwood. Additionally, the FY 2019 Adopted Budget included funding in the amount of $6.5 million for Capital Projects - Jail Reserve. Funding in the amount of $120,000 was also part of the FY 2019 Adopted Budget for the installation of 60 Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machines in the County Main Jail and Elmwood facilities.
The FY 2019 Adopted Budget added 1 Electronic Repair Technician position to address electronic maintenance and security ($117,509).
In December 2018, the Board approved a transfer of $30,580 in funds within the Facilities and Fleet Department budget relating to the Elmwood Kitchen Hood Renovation Project. Additionally, on February 26, 2019, the Board approved a transfer of $750,0000 within the Facilities and Fleet Department budget relating to the Elmwood Kitchen Exhaust Project.
On May 7, 2019, the Board approved a transfer of $100,000 in funds within the Facilities and Fleet Department budget relating to Replacing Plumbing Chase Walls at the Elmwood W-2 facility.
On May 21, 2019, the Board approved augmentation of Main Jail North Cell Hardening project ($356,836) and Main Jail North Fire Alarm Replacement project ($86,122) from the Jail Capital Reserve to reimburse the Sheriff’s Office for Custody Support Assistant escorts to support these jail projects.
As part of the FY 2020 Adopted Budget, the Board approved:
- One-time funding in the amount of $5 million for the Jail Capital Projects Reserve to support several jail renovations in progress.
- One-time funding for the Repair Elmwood Gas Lines Project in the amount of $750,000, one-time funding for the Repair Elmwood Information Center Restroom Exhaust Project in the amount of $8,000, and one-time funding for the Recoat Interior Emergency Water Tank Elmwood Project in the amount of $250,000.
- Funding to replace 15 Hold Ovens used for meal preparation for a one-time cost in the amount of $98,000, one-time funding to replace Dining Room Beverage Counter and Cabinet at the jail facilities in the amount of $60,000, one-time funding to purchase a second bakery divider/rounder for the Elmwood facility in the amount of $30,000, one-time funding to purchase Pallet Stacker Reach Truck for the Food Services Warehouse in the amount of $30,000, one-time funding to replace three industrial washers and two industrial dryers at the Elmwood facility in the amount of $500,000, and ongoing funding to replace Transport Carts that are critical to uninterrupted food service operations at the jail facilities in the amount of $106,000.
- Added one Dietetic Technician to effectively manage increased medical and religious diets ($101,426).
- Established a Reserve for actions needed to implement the Jail Consent Decrees with one-time funding in the amount of $10,000,000 and ongoing funding in the amount of $3,000,000.
- Ongoing funding in the amount of $355,000 to fund jail monitoring as required by the Consent Decree.
As part of the FY 2021 Adopted Budget, the Board approved the following actions:
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Augmentation in the amount of $6,000,000 to support the demolition of Old Main Jail South and other design and preconstruction activities for New Main Jail South.
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Funding in the amount of $896,000 for Deferred Maintenance Program at Elmwood Correctional Facility.
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Delete 3.0 FTE positions in the Food Services Unit: Baker, Dietetic Assistant, and Food Services worker ($313,696).
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Funding in the amount of $450,000 for the purchase production cook chill controllers and bakery mixers to replace failing equipment.
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Eliminate the ongoing Reserve to Implement Jail Consent Decrees to preserve certain position in the Department of Correction to implement components of the consent decree ($2,000,000) and to fund an agreement to provide continuous physician coverage in the jail facilities ($1,000,000).
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FY 2021 Adopted Budget: Delete 2.0 FTE vacant Sheriff Correctional Deputy positions that are funded by Public Safety Realignment (AB109).
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Delete 37.0 FTE Correctional Deputy positions and 1.0 FTE Sheriff’s Correctional Sergeant Position ($7,363,913).
On March 8, 2022, the Board approved adding 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).
As part of the FY 2023 Adopted Budget, the Board approved the following:
- Funding in the amount of $3,000,000 from the Jail Reserve Fund for disability-related upgrades as part of the consent decrees.
- Funding in the amount of $400,000 from the Jail Reserve Fund for a jail intercom system assessment and integration with the existing surveillance camera system.
- Funding to establish reserve for Jail Camera System upgrade that includes one-time cost of $2,800,000 and ongoing cost of $200,000.
On February 28, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved the transfer of $1.6 million from the General Fund Jail Camera System Reserve to the Office of the Sheriff budget for the replacement of the public safety camera system throughout the Custody Bureau Facilities.
Source Report(s): Sheriff’s Jail Reform Plan, Blue Ribbon Commission on Improving Custody Operations, Human Relations Commission, Zisser
Responsible Department(s): Sheriff’s Office, Facilities and Fleet
Master List Nos.: 152-154, 159, 177, 337-338, 419, 425-428, 520
Review Date: FGOC reviewed on January 26, 2017.
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)