Background
Located on
240 acres, Camp 45 was established in 1968 as a juvenile detention camp by the
California Youth Authority. In 2005, it became a State of California Level 1
minimum security facility for male prisoners. The purpose of the camp is to
provide a highly mobile work force to prevent and fight fires and perform
conservation-related projects for local, state, and federal agencies. The
program provides convicted felons with the opportunity to give something back
to the citizens of
Camp 45 is
overseen by the
The Grand
Jury visited the facility on
Findings
1. All potential candidates for the
conservation camps are screened by the Directors’ Review Board (DRB), the
Institutional Classification Committee (ICC), the Unit Classification Committee
(UCC), and the Camp Classification Committee (CCC) and classified according to
a points system. The inmate’s age, marital status, number of children, and
number and type of conviction are all taken into account.
2. Most inmates placed at this and
other conservation camps have more than 12 months to serve.
3. On the day of the Grand Jury’s
visit, there were 106 inmates.
4. The average age of the inmates is
35.
5. Inmates are assigned to camps at
least two counties away from the counties in which they were convicted.
6. For every one day served at the
camp, inmates are credited an additional two days off their sentences.
7. All Camp 45 inmates have
undergone extensive fire safety training prior to being placed in the facility.
They are trained at the fire academy for one week and then serve for six weeks
on a crew at a correctional center. In addition, they receive eight hours of
training once a week at Camp 45. When at a fire site, the Camp’s crews work
collaboratively with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
8. Each inmate assigned to fire
fighting duty must be certified by Corrections staff as being physically fit.
9. Some prisoners who do not meet
medical requirements are assigned to a fire camp because they have skills the
camp needs, such as carpentry or cooking. They work as members of in-camp or
kitchen crews. The in-camp crew maintains the grounds and buildings, does
laundry, cleans the facilities, landscapes, and provides clerical services. The
kitchen crew provides the meals for the other inmates. Since this is a working
camp, the meals must be hearty and nutritious and meet the Title 15 guidelines
of 2600 calories a day.
10. Random drug testing is performed
on all inmates.
11. The maximum stay in the program
is three-and-a-half years; however, inmates are rotated every two years to
other camps.
12. As of the day of the Grand Jury’s
visit, there were no escapes in 2007, but there were two escapes in 2006. Both
escapes were Mexican nationals nearing the end of their sentences and facing
deportation. Due to this risk, inmates with an Immigration
and Naturalization Service (INS) hold are no longer permitted at the
camp. Since that policy was established, the number of escapees and attempted
escapes has decreased.
13. Inmates earn $1.45 per day for
the work they perform, and $1.00 an hour when on a fire crew.
14. Unless there is a fire, crews
work Monday through Friday from
15. All work performed by the crews
is under contract with a local city or county agency.
16. There are always at least two
work crews that are “hot,” meaning they are suited up and ready to respond to a
fire within three minutes.
17. Inmates who violate the rules
accumulate points, which result in disciplinary action. The number of points
they receive depends on the type and frequency of the violation. For instance,
if an inmate is caught with tobacco, he automatically receives four points. If
caught with tobacco again, he receives another six points. And if caught with
tobacco a third time, he is removed from camp. Any inmate caught out of bounds
three times is also removed from the camp.
18. The facility and grounds are
beautifully maintained.
19. At least two correctional
officers — one sergeant and one lieutenant — are on duty on any given day.
20. In the control room, staff can
view all video surveillance monitors, control the inmate television, and
monitor phone calls.
21. Alarms are set at night on the
doors to all residential buildings.
22. Video surveillance operates 24
hours a day monitoring all access roads although not all access from the rear
of the facility is clearly monitored. Surveillance data is saved for four days.
23. In order to make outside calls,
inmates must first sign up on a phone list. They are allowed one call per day,
and all calls are recorded. The staff monitor inmate phone calls on a random
basis and are required to review at least three calls per shift.
24. Inmates may purchase personal
items from the on-site canteen up to two times a month, with a monthly limit of
$180 in purchases.
25. All inmates are counted at least
every two hours to ensure no one is missing.
26. The facility is equipped with
hobby, pool, and television rooms. Outdoor facilities include handball and
basketball courts.
27. Visitors are allowed on Saturdays
and Sundays. Staff must pre-approve all visitors, and inmates may have a
maximum of eight approved visitors on file at one time.
28. Support programs are provided for
the inmates by Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, with meetings
twice a week. Religious services are available three days a week, and
counseling is provided every other week. A facilitator assists inmates
as they prepare for release.
Inmates may also work for their General Equivalency Diploma (GED) via courses
available by mail.
29. Whenever there is a change of
custody between Camp 45 and Cal Fire, it is performed with a careful process of
photo ID verification.
30. The bus arrives every Tuesday to
drop off new inmates and Wednesday to pick up any inmates leaving the camp.
1.
The
facility is operated by a conscientious and professional staff who have an
excellent rapport with inmates.
2.
The
food provided to the inmates on the day of the Grand Jury visit was good.
3.
The
camp’s work crews provide a valuable service to the community.
4.
More
cameras are needed for the rear of the facility.
5.
The
grounds are extremely clean and well-kept.
Recommendations
1. The Grand Jury recommends
additional security cameras at access points at the rear of the facility to
increase security.
2. The Grand Jury recommends GED
classes be made available on site for inmates.
Commendations
1. The Grand Jury commends the
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for providing a
positive alternative to prison incarceration and a valuable service to the
local community.
2. The Grand Jury commends Camp 45
staff for their dedication and effective management of the facility and
inmates.
Responses Requested
Respondent
|
Findings
|
Recommendations
|
Respond Within /
Respond By
|
|
|
22 |
1, 2 |
90 days |
Sources
http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Regulations/Adult_Operations/docs/Title15-2007.pdf
Interviews with