Sacramento Sheriff's Work Release Facility

Subject of Investigation

The Sacramento Sheriff's Department is responsible for the care and custody of all adults incarcerated in Sacramento County facilities.

Reason for Investigation

On one of its mandated tours, the Jury observed that the County Work Release Facility was not being utilized as a custodial facility.

Procedures

The Jury visited the Work Release Facility and interviewed the command staff and other appropriate personnel.

Findings

The Work Release Facility was built with substantial federal assistance to be used for housing inmates. The capacity is approximately 300 beds and the state-of-the-art kitchen can produce up to 3,000 meals a day. The kitchen was designed to be a back-up to the Sacramento County Jail.
Currently, the Facility is being used as office space for a small number of Sheriff's investigative personnel. Additionally, the Weekender Work Program-an alternative to incarceration-is managed from this location.
The Jury believes the space would be better used as it was originally designed: A lower level custodial housing unit with the ability to support the Main Jail in emergency situations.
Another custodial facility of the Sheriff's Department of concern to this Jury and to previous juries is the Women's Detention Facility at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center (RCCC). This facility is old, over-crowded, and in need of replacement.
The Sheriff indicated to the Jury that there are plans to put in place temporary housing facilities for women at RCCC and, in the future, to construct a permanent replacement for the existing Women's Detention Center. Tentative discussions have been held to consider converting the Work Release Facility to a county-operated "detox" facility.

Recommendations

The Grand Jury recommends that:
· The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department respond on the future use of the Work Release Facility
· The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department describe in detail, with a time line, the proposed future of female inmate housing in Sacramento County

Response Required

The Penal Code requires responses to the recommendations contained in this report be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Sacramento Superior and Municipal Courts by September 30, 1996, from:
· Sacramento County Sheriff's Department
· Sacramento County Board of Supervisors