Sheriff’s office details religious services in jails; community raises access and clearance concerns

San Mateo County sheriff’s office staff presented how religious services are provided in the county jails and said the service schedule is being expanded from two to six days a week. The presentation described partnerships with the Service League of San Mateo County, volunteer recruitment and logistical steps for accommodating religious materials and special meals.

Tara (county staff) explained the legal framework, citing the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and California regulations that require jails to "provide opportunities for incarcerated persons to participate in religious services, practices and counseling on a voluntary basis." Lieutenant John Sebring, Lieutenant over Maple Street Correctional Center, and program staff described routine processes: volunteers receive jail clearance, escorts and an escorted access badge to reach housing units; religious meal requests are coordinated with medical and the kitchen; and requests for materials (prayer rugs, texts) are processed through the religious coordinator.

Public speakers and faith leaders urged more timely access and less bureaucratic delay. The Rev. Dr. Evelyn Vigil (former jail chaplain) said waiting more than a week for a requested Bible is “unacceptable.” Deacon Lauren Patten McCombs cited sheriff’s corrections procedures manual policy number 108.12 and said inmates should have “reasonable access to clergy members and spiritual advisors.” Other commenters said tablets are limited and that volunteers have faced clearance hurdles since the pandemic. Eric Sapp, staff attorney with Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, cautioned that RLUIPA requires a compelling-government-interest analysis and the least‑restrictive means test when any policy substantially burdens religious practice.

Data and operations reported: Sheriff’s presenters said religious services were scheduled across both Maguire and Maple Street facilities and that attendance varied by denomination and housing unit; Ramadan services ran Feb. 28–March 30 and 28 incarcerated persons participated. Presenters said clearance processing is typically completed within a day or two and that the shift to six days a week begins in April (staff said they were coordinating schedules with volunteers and housing-unit staff).

Requests from commissioners and public: Commissioners asked the sheriff’s office to provide details after the schedule change on (1) how many services occur per facility per week, by denomination and housing unit; (2) whether volunteer shortages or staffing constraints have limited access; (3) whether inmate-led religious programming could be supported; and (4) whether escorts remain necessary for already‑cleared volunteers. Sheriff’s staff said they would continue to coordinate and welcomed suggestions about expanding access while balancing facility safety and staffing.

Ending: Commissioners and attendees thanked the presenters and asked staff to follow up with more detailed operational metrics after the schedule expands. Several public commenters and faith leaders said they would continue to press for full access to religious materials and quicker clearance processes for volunteers.