City of Morgan Hill Public Safety Master Plan

mirrors the state regulations for operating a temporary holding facility and provides appropriate, adequate directives for prisoner processing, security, and safety within the jail environment. Facilities utilized for incarceration or temporary holding of prisoners are strictly regulated by law. Biennially, the California Board of State and Community Corrections audits and inspects the state’s prisoner holding facilities. The most recent inspection of the MHPD facility occurred on November 11, 2015, and included review of policies and procedures, and a verification of documented practices and procedures. The MHPD temporary holding facility was found to be in compliance with state law. Prisoners booked in the facility are processed in accordance with the MHPD policy. They are medically screened by the on-duty jailer and provided the required bedding, meal, and phone calls. Prisoners booked for misdemeanors are either given a citation and released, post bail, or if intoxicated, held until sober. MHPD utilizes an audio monitoring system to ensure that assigned staff provide required supervision while the jail is occupied. State law requires hourly face-to-face safety checks of general prisoners and thirty minute checks for prisoners held in the sobering cell. To ensure compliance and consistency, MHPD requires thirty minute checks of all prisoners. Prisoners booked for felonies and prisoners who do not meet temporary holding facility detention criteria are transferred as soon as possible to the Santa Clara County Jail following the booking process and detective interview. Prisoner transportation and security is provided by the MSOs, who are armed per 832P.C. A major area of concern in managing a temporary holding facility is the timing of the required face- to-face safety checks. Should an incident occur with loss of life or serious injury to a prisoner and a failure to comply with required safety checks contributed to the incident, MHPD and the city of Morgan Hill could face significant litigation costs. In reviewing a number of custody logs, CPSM staff found near 100 percent compliance with the required safety checks. MHPD staff must continue its diligence to maintain this compliance practice. Among the most significant liabilities faced in operating a jail, whether state or local, is the failure to medically screen, monitor inmates through visual inspections and video surveillance, and failure to train staff, including collateral duty supervisors. CPSM found that personnel understood their duties and responsibilities and were committed to prisoner safety. Management and supervisory staff should continually emphasize to the jailer staff the importance of hourly safety checks and review of medical screening forms submitted by booking personnel. MHPD staff expressed concern regarding the personnel resources required to transport prisoners frequently to Santa Clara County Jail. Due to the policy driven six hour detention limit, personnel must transport prisoners sometimes two to three times per shift to the county jail. At a minimum, this task consumes 90 to 120 minutes per trip. As noted above, MSOs generally handle these trips, but sworn officers are sometimes tasked with the detail if the MSOs are unavailable or not assigned when transportation is required. These trips consume significant staff time, taking officers from the field and MSOs away from their other assignments such as animal control and fleet service. In addition, the department incurs costs for fuel and vehicle wear and tear as a result of the frequent trips.

Police Operations and Data Analysis Report, Morgan Hill, California

65