O.C. Supervisors approve response to Grand Jury report on O.C. jails

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2010

Contact: Howard Sutter, 714.834.6203 office, Howard.Sutter@ocgov.com

Board of Supervisors Approves Response to Grand Jury Report on Detention Facilities

(Santa Ana, CA) — The Orange County Board of Supervisors today approved the proposed response to several findings and recommendations included in the 2010-11 Grand Jury report on Detention Facilities.

“We appreciate the Grand Jury’s review of our detention facilities and the positive conclusions they reached,” said Bill Campbell, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “The jails are an essential part of our public safety system and their proper operation is of great importance.”

The Grand Jury’s report found that Orange County detention facilities appeared to be clean, in good condition and in compliance with state policies and procedures. The report stated that the jails are not overcrowded and noted the Sheriff Department’s efforts to keep disruptions to a minimum.

The County’s response highlights several County initiatives to reduce recidivism including collaborative efforts involving the Sheriff’s Department, Probation Department, Social Services Agency, Health Care Agency, Collaborative Courts and the Orange County Reentry Partnership. The goal of these efforts is to provide a seamless transition for inmates leaving the County jails and integrating back into the community. The response also states that the Sheriff Department contract to house Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees is expected to bring in approximately $21.4 million in revenue during the current fiscal year.

Grand Jury reports and responses to those reports are available on the Grand Jury’s website at http://www.ocgrandjury.org/reports.asp.

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