California Penal Code 919(b) mandates that the Grand Jury conduct an annual inspection of county detention facilities. The 2018-2019 Ventura County Grand Jury inquired into the condition and management of all detention facilities in Ventura County. Additionally, the Grand Jury inspected the Pre-Trial Detention Facility (Main Jail); Todd Road Jail; the East Valley Jail; all 10 city holding facilities; and two juvenile facilities, one operated by the State of California and one by the County.
The Grand Jury concluded that the holding cells, jails and juvenile facilities, on the whole, are satisfactory, according to the requirements of the Board of State and Community Corrections. Personnel at each location were welcoming and knowledgeable, explaining all policies and procedures, as well as providing access to all areas of the facilities.
The Grand Jury documented the overall results for each facility in a chart attached to the report, titled “Detention Facilities Inspection Summary.”
The Grand Jury commended the Sheriff’s Office and the Board of Supervisors for their proactive stance in advancing the medical and mental-health facility addition to the Todd Road Jail.
The Grand Jury further commended the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility for receiving accreditation of the Mary B. Perry High School.
The Grand Jury also commended both the Juvenile Justice Facility and the Ventura County Youth Facility for improving emergency evacuation plans by developing reciprocal agreements with juvenile facilities in neighboring counties.
The public is invited to review the entire report. It can be accessed at www.ventura.org/grand-jury; click on the Annual Reports tab and consult “Fiscal Year 2018-2019.”
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