Juvenile inspection reports praise James Ranch, urge better juvenile hall data and reentry supports

The Juvenile Justice Commission presented its 2023 inspection reports for Juvenile Hall, the William F. James Ranch and the Secure Youth Treatment Facility on Jan. 17, and committee members praised cross-departmental work while asking for more comparative data and strengthened reentry supports.

Jill Ugalde, deputy chief over institutions, and Juvenile Justice Commission Chair Stephen Betts summarized inspections and recommendations. Betts said the commission was “very impressed by the work that the probation department does in its facilities” and noted the commission’s view that the county’s James Ranch programs are strong compared with many other counties.

Commissioners and supervisors asked for additional, aggregate information that can be shared publicly despite juvenile confidentiality limits. Specifically, committee members requested periodic, aggregated grievance data, use-of-force reports and longitudinal outcome metrics so the county can better compare James Ranch to Juvenile Hall. Probation staff said some aggregate grievance and use-of-force data can be provided, and that several reports (including recidivism reporting for certain programs) already appear in the county’s juvenile justice annual evaluations submitted to state grant programs and the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.

Members also discussed operational issues: the Secure Youth Treatment Facility’s rapid implementation after statewide changes, recent LIFT program launch and the need for transitional housing at reentry. Supervisor President Otto Lee said the Board recently approved a contract with the Bill Wilson Center to provide transitional housing for secure-track youth; Lee described that as an important step to address housing instability for youth leaving custody.

On emergency planning, staff said the county has used mutual-aid agreements (for example with Santa Cruz County) and internal capacity shifts—moving youth between James Ranch and Juvenile Hall—to manage evacuations; staff also said the county’s upcoming facility assessments will include emergency and seismic planning for correctional facilities.

The committee voted to receive the Juvenile Justice Commission reports. Vice Chairperson Otto Lee and Chairperson Ellenberg recorded affirmative votes; motion carries.

Public comment: One Zoom speaker, Ben Zee, urged the county to address child-abuse allegations; his statements were public comment and not an action item in the inspection reports.

Next steps: probation agreed to provide the committee with aggregate grievance and use-of-force information (subject to confidentiality rules), and to work with behavioral health and other partners on wraparound reentry services and longitudinal outcome measures.