Law and Justice Committee
Part 4

IV. JUVENILE HALL

BACKGROUND

The 1999-2000 Law and Justice Committee made their statutory annual inspection of the San Benito County Juvenile Hall.

METHOD OF REVIEW

The Law and Justice Committee conducted an on-site inspection of the San Benito County Juvenile Hall.

OBSERVATIONS, FINDINGS, AND CONCLUSIONS

The eight-year-old San Benito County Juvenile Hall facility is a relatively new building that is neat and well maintained. There is a strictly enforced non-tolerance policy for graffiti, garbage, drugs and fighting. A safety check or shakedown is done on the personal living quarters of the juveniles every day for weapons or illegal goods. Most of the juveniles being held in the facility are awaiting dispositions and are not serving time. The juveniles must attend in house school classes every weekday, which are conducted by a trained staff member/teacher.

There are always three (3) juvenile institution officers (counselors) present during the daytime who are in charge of the juveniles, and this is reduced to two (2) officers at night. The current daily capacity for the facility is twenty (20) juveniles, and the hall was at capacity a good portion of the year. It was over capacity for fifteen (15) days in all of 1999.

The facility has its own courtroom for ease and privacy of the juveniles and their families. It was noted that there was no metal detector at the entrance of the courtroom nor was there any type of security check for weapons or contraband on the days when proceedings are held. No bailiff is present during the hearings, but a staff member sometimes helps out when possible.

Many of the juveniles have some form of mental health problem. There is no on-site mental health care available except in extreme emergencies. Having a doctor or a psychologist from the San Benito County Mental Health Department come to the facility instead of transporting the juveniles back and forth would help with staffing, security, transportation and liability problems.

Currently there is no collection procedure for the fines and fees that must be paid by some juveniles and their parents. The facility tries to accommodate people who are willing to pay, even if they only pay $5.00 per month, but the arrearages are significant and the county is losing interest on these funds. The County could easily fund a position to collect these and other outstanding moneys owed, such as to the court and the probation department.  

Vacant allotted positions for juvenile institution officers should be filled immediately. This Grand Jury joins prior Grand Juries in putting the Board of Supervisors on notice that immediate expansion of the Juvenile Hall is necessary. It must be planned and implemented as soon as possible. The population of the county is growing quickly and the Grand Jury estimates the facility will not be adequate within 5-7 years.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Grand Jury recommends:

AFFECTED AGENCIES

San Benito County Board of Supervisors
San Benito County Juvenile Hall
San Benito County Probation Department 

RESPONSE REQUIRED