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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/1990, LR-1 - '/dliEwl AGENDA # zap-- ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1989 CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE - CALIFORNIA MEN'S COLONY San Luis Obispo Foreword Consistent with its charge, the Citizen's Advisory Committee met with CMC Warden Wayne Estelle and members of his staff on a bi-monthly basis during 1989 to discuss matters of community/prison concern. Members of the Advisory Committee continue to be impressed with the high level of professionalism and dedication exhibited by the administrative and line personnel of the California Men's Colony and,with the efficiency with which the institution is operated. The Committee's respect and admiration was verified this year when the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents named Wayne Estelle "Warden of the Year" a very significant and well-deserved honor. , A Word About the Citizen's Advisory Committee The CAC acts as an interface between the communities it represents and the administration of CMC. The CAC attempts to interpret and express community concerns to institution officials as well as to gain insight into the operations of the prison -- the significant problems and the various programs and techniques used to maintain a quality penal institution. Some of the more high profile concerns include: prison security, community and staff safety, prison growth, impacts on community resources and services, drug trafficking, prison employment opportunities, budget, inmate services to the community, and inmate parole procedures. Highlights of 1989 meetings, reports and programs follow: Inmate Po ulation December 1988 December•1989 >: ; Department of Corrections 76,121 '87;40 California Men's Colony 51822 6,402 Number of Beds Department of Corrections 46,219 48,311 California Men's Colony 3,859 3,859 Budeet FY 1988/89 FY 1989/90 Department of Corrections 1,627,117,000 -11847,9237000 California Men's Colony 87, 000,000 96,000,000 Average Cost per Inmate FY 1988/89 FY 1989/90 Department of Corrections 19,450 19,874 California Men's Colony 16,366 18,205 Citizen's Advisory Committee Membership CAC's were established in 1985 with a membership of ten citizens'representing a .' spectrum of community interests. Early this year, CDC Director James Rowland directed CAC's be increased in size to twelve and required that one new member X ' CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT— 2 represent a victim's assistance organization. To comply as well as to broaden the CAC-CMC, Warden Estelle appointed Cindy Absey of the District Attorney's Victim Assistance office, and George Whiting to represent the City of Morro Bay. (Whiting is the former San Luis Obispo County Sheriff). Prison Security I. CMC continued to be a "prison of choice" for inmates within California's corrections institutions. As such, inmate behavior at CMC is more self- disciplined. This self-discipline coupled with a no-nonsense disciplinary program has resulted in less stressful conditions. 2. CMC did experience one escape during 1989. The escapee was a Mexican national and is believed to have fled the U.S. Staff reports that escape "hole" has been plugged. 3. Gang activity within CMC is not tolerated and the "wearing of colors" (gang identification) is strictly prohibited. CMC uses a Criminal Activities Coordinator to educate staff on gangs and to coordinate information on gang members within the prison system. CMC utilizes computerized programs to track gang members. 500-700 gang members are estimated to exist in the CDC prisonpopulation of which 30-50 are considered hard core. Prison gang strongholds are Folsom and Tehachapi. 4. This year the annual "Disturbance Control Exercise" was called without prior notice of staff. A Disturbance Control Exercise is a refereed exercise that simulates a disorder which requires prompt and effective control response and tests staff preparedness and efficiency. Professional evaluators rated staff effectiveness as very high. Staff Safety and Welfare 1. Prison employment occasionally requires involvement in critical life-threatening incidents causing stress disorders. CMC has trained counselors who intercede to provide assistance to staff who have suffered (or could suffer) post traumatic stress disorders as a result of such involvements. The program involves immediate response as well as peer counseling, it is well received by institution personnel. 2. A State Employee Child Care Program is in existence, but to date tangible benefits of—this program have not been available to CMC employees for several reasons including prison isolation from employee places of residence and. shift hours of employees. A needs assessment is being conducted to determine feasibility of program for CMC. A potential exists for combining CMC child care needs with those of employees of other public institutions in the area. Budget and Internal Operations 1. The proposed 1989-90 budget portended significant impacts on CMC staff and operations. Initial employee concerns were overcome through good CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT--3 communications and cooperation; some $2,146,000 was identified as potential savings. CMC's Community Service Program was identified as an item which might require cooperative funding. Governor Deukmejian proposed an Inmate Employment Program as a means to augment the CDC budget shortfall; however, adoption of this program has been delayed. 2. CMC continues to have the largest Prison Industries component in the CDC system. The percentage of inmates "employed" continues to, rise. Approximately 68% of CMC inmates are currently employed. (Another 19% are enrolled in CMC's education programs for total assignment of 87%.) 3. Health matters: a. CMC's hospital was recently accredited and additional work has been completed in compliance with accreditation requirements. Capacity of the hospital is 41 inmates. Inmates who cannot be accommodated or who have health problems which cannot be treated at CMC are transferred to the CDC facility at Vacaville or Chino; i.e., dialysis. b. CMC also increased it's outpatient psychiatric treatment facilities this year. C. Inmates with AIDS represent a special concern to the CDC and CMC. Prison populations contain a higher risk profile of people subject to AIDS and those populations are obviously confined. A recent court ruling will place some identified AIDS inmate patients into the general prison population. AIDS infected_patients will not be knowingly brought to CMC. CMC inmates identified with HIV may be screened to stay at CMC, but CMC inmates with advanced stages of the disease will be transferred to the California Medical Facility or the California Institution for Men. CMC AIDS infected inmates will be housed in a single cell or with another volunteer inmate, but only with staff approval. This pilot housing program is limited to East Facility. 4. The San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury made its required annual inspection of CMC on 8/29/89 and reported favorably on the operations of-the institution. Water and Wastewater Treatment I. Water conservation continues to be of significant importance. In the face of the deepening drought and limited reserves in the Whale Rock Reservoir which the CMC owns and manages jointly with Cal Poly and the City of San Luis Obis o, CMC has refurbished the Chorro reservoir located on the institutions property; dredging has restored the reservoir to its original capacity. Water usage has been reduced from 200 gallons per inmate in 1988 to 134 gallons this year. Other methods of saving water and/or augmenting supply - such as the feasibility of adding gates to Chorro reservoir dam - are .. being evaluated. -- 2. The CMC, which operates its own wastewater treatment plant, is currently CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT-- 4 � l discussing with other Chorro Valley water users the use of tertiary treated sewer effluent for irrigation uses in the immediate area. The proposed new Sheriffs facilities are interested in utilizing reclaimed water for non-potable uses. Parole Procedures/Crimes in the Community 1. The Advisory Committee identifies the parole of CMC inmates into the San Luis Obispo community as the single most pressing fear of local citizens with respect to having a large prison as a neighbor. While the penal code specifically calls for inmates to be "returned to the county of commitment", there exists the potential for interpretation that a crime committed while incarcerated might lead to an inmate being paroled in San Luis Obispo County. Consequently, the CAC has petitioned its representatives in the State Legislature, Senator Maddy and Assemblyman Seastrand, to carry legislation which would close this loophole. Assemblyman Seastrand has responded positively and will include this matter in his legislative program this year. CAC's at other CDC institutions have been contacted for additional legislative support. 2. Exceptions exist in the penal code whereby an inmate can be paroled to a county other than that of commitment. On January 15, 1990, a former CMC inmate who has successfully petitioned to be paroled to San Luis Obispo rather than his county of commitment, was shot and killed in the act of burglarizing a San Luis Obispo home. The CAC-CMC will undoubtedly review these penal code sections during its 1990 meetings to determine if anything can be done to tighten the administration of these exceptions, or perhaps, change the exceptions themselves. Community_ Relations/Community Service p 1. Members of the CAC as well as the CMC administration are very conscious of the prison's image in the community, and make every attempt to maintain a low profile and to provide accurate information to offset mistaken rumors or unfounded bias. This year the CAC had an opportunity to review a TV script entitled "Dangerous Company" produced by Ventura station KADY. The CAC felt that the story was very one-sided and certainly did not apply to CMC. CAC objections were sent to the station manager containing data illustrating that, to the contrary, CMC was a very good neighbor. 2. CMC participated with the CD_ C in assisting relief agencies in assisting victims of the recent Santa Cruz/San Francisco/Oakland earthquake. CMC staff contributed a stake truck of blankets, clothes and canned food as well as $780.00. Inmates donated $249.00. 3. Inmate work crews participating in CMC's Community Services .Work Crew Program contributed 287,420 man hours saving local government $2,026,686.60 on various public works projects. Included in this work was the planting of over 400 trees and shrubs, and the clearing of 42.5 miles of creeks for flood control. CMC fire crews assisted the Forestry Department in fighting 46 fires in San Luis Obispo County and 15 fires in other parts of the state. CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT--5 Conferences 1. The CAC was represented at the Third Annual State-wide Citizen's Advisory Committee conference March 7-8 by Ken Schwartz, Penny kappa and Warden Wayne Estelle. The conference was held at the new prison at Avenal and .included a tour of the facility. Director Rowland's report touched on budget problems facing the CDC and also noted the increased number of returning parolees. 2. CAC member John Voss represented CMC at- the October 5-6 Citizen Participation Forum in Manhattan Beach. The forum focused on programs which would involve middle and lower CDC management personnel in citizen participation programs. Communication techniques were an emphasis area. Advisory Committee Officers for 1990 San Luis Obispo Councilwoman Penny Ral2pa was elected chairperson and Cindv Absey was elected vice-chair. �Respet'tfally submitted for the Committee, NNETH E. SCHWARTZ hairman 1989