Tag: prison

Open Letter to the Board of Supervisors and Mayor Elect Daniel Lurie about SFSO Critical Infrastructure Needs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2024

SFDSA Calls for Urgent Action to Address County Jail Conditions, Copies Mayor-Elect Daniel Lurie

San Francisco, CA – Today, the San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association (SFDSA), led by President Ken Lomba, sent an urgent letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, calling for immediate action to address the critical infrastructure deficiencies at County Jail #3 (CJ3) in San Bruno. The letter highlights the severe impacts on the health and safety of deputies, civilian staff, and inmates and was also sent to Mayor-Elect Daniel Lurie, seeking his leadership in resolving these long-standing issues.

The SFDSA emphasized that CJ3 remains out of compliance with Title 24 of the California Building Code, which mandates proper outdoor recreational areas providing at least one hour of sunlight daily. Currently, small, concrete-enclosed areas with minimal roof openings exist, but they are wholly inadequate, compromising inmate health, increasing safety risks for staff, and inflating costs for the City.

Key Concerns Raised in the Letter

  • Improved Safety for Deputies and Staff: Proper access to sunlight reduces stress and aggression among inmates, leading to better behavior, fewer violent incidents, and a safer work environment for deputies and civilian staff.
  • Deputy Health and Cost Savings: Addressing unsafe and stressful conditions would reduce deputy absenteeism, medical leave, and workers’ compensation claims, saving the City substantial overtime and healthcare costs.
  • Compliance with Legal Standards: CJ3 fails to meet the minimum outdoor exercise requirements outlined in Title 24. The SFDSA’s recently filed amicus brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit underscores the urgency of this issue, advocating for immediate reforms to ensure compliance and protect the well-being of all stakeholders.

SFDSA’s Call to Action

The SFDSA urged the Board of Supervisors to:

  1. Allocate funding for the construction of a secure outdoor recreational area at CJ3 to meet legal standards.
  2. Begin planning for a modern, rehabilitation-based jail facility that prioritizes safety, wellness, and efficiency.
  3. Adopt policies and programs that promote wellness for both inmates and staff, reducing long-term costs and enhancing public safety.

Engagement with Mayor-Elect Daniel Lurie

Ken Lomba, President of the SFDSA, expressed optimism about working with Mayor-Elect Lurie to implement meaningful change. “The safety and well-being of our deputies, staff, and inmates cannot be ignored any longer,” said Lomba. “We trust that Mayor-Elect Lurie will demonstrate the leadership needed to address these systemic issues, ensuring compliance with state standards while creating safer, healthier facilities for everyone involved.”

About the SFDSA

The San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association represents over 620 sworn deputy sheriffs dedicated to maintaining public safety while advocating for improved working conditions and operational standards.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Ken Lomba
President, San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association
Office: 415-696-2428

Deputy Sheriffs Working the Toughest Beat in San Francisco

Amidst the bustling streets and vibrant neighborhoods of San Francisco, there exists a group of dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of our communities. These unsung heroes are the deputy sheriffs who guard the county jails, facing unique challenges and pressures that come with the territory.

Recent data paints a stark picture of the realities these deputy sheriffs confront daily. Incidents of prisoner fights have been on the rise, placing a significant strain on the already stretched-thin staffing levels. In 2022, there were 172 prisoner fights, averaging 0.276 fights per deputy sheriff. By 2023, these numbers had increased, with 240 fights averaging 0.393 fights per deputy sheriff. These statistics underscore the challenging and often volatile environment in which these deputies operate.

In addition to the increase in prisoner fights, attacks on deputies have also been on the rise. In 2022, there were 121 attacks on deputies, averaging 0.194 attacks per deputy sheriff. By 2023, this number had surged to 216 attacks, averaging 0.354 attacks per deputy sheriff. These attacks not only pose a direct threat to the safety of the deputies but also impact their morale and well-being.

Deputies Attacked 2024

Despite these challenges, deputy sheriffs in San Francisco’s county jails continue to demonstrate unwavering dedication and professionalism in the face of adversity. They work long hours, often in high-stress situations, to ensure the safety and security of both inmates and staff. Their commitment to upholding the law and maintaining order in a challenging environment is commendable and deserving of recognition.

However, the city’s failure to address the issue of understaffing in the jails puts additional strain on these already overburdened deputies. With inadequate staffing levels, deputies are forced to work longer hours and take on increased responsibilities, leading to fatigue and burnout. The city’s proposal to eliminate staffing minimums at the Sheriff’s Office further exacerbates this issue, putting the safety of both deputies and inmates at risk.

It is crucial that we recognize the invaluable contributions of these deputy sheriffs and advocate for the resources and support they need to carry out their duties safely and effectively. By investing in additional staffing and implementing measures to improve working conditions, we can ensure that our deputy sheriffs have the support they need to continue serving our communities with professionalism and dedication.

Mayor Breed’s budget worsens the unconstitutional conditions of San Francisco County Jails

PRESS RELEASE

Mayor Breed’s budget – released yesterday –worsens the unconstitutional conditions of San Francisco County Jails at San Bruno and at 7th Street for inmates’; conditions which cause long term chronic illness, and increases the lack of safety for both inmates and deputies. The City is currently being sued for these unconstitutional conditions. Both the San Bruno Jail (County Jail 3) and the 7th Street Jail (County Jail 2) are in violation of Building Code, Title 24, and cannot meet California Regulations. Staffing is already woefully short, forcing the jail to regularly lockdown all prisoners, denying inmates out of cell time, and creating in essence solitary confinement. This is all unconstitutional. Recently the Mayor denied a longevity proposal that would retain needed deputies that are now going to retire but gave longevity incentives to Police and Fire. Yet, Mayor Breed’s budget cuts another 3% off the Sheriff’s budget, while increasing the police budget by 9%. The increase in police hiring is to encourage new arrests. New arrests will increase the inmate population and any increased inmate population will only make the unconstitutional conditions at County Jails worse.

Right now, we have inmates who have been incarcerated for years. At least 60 inmates have been incarcerated for over 4 years. These jails have no outdoor facilities, and so all inmates are housed 24/7 under fluorescent lights. With lockdowns, inmates are forced inside their cell without exercise, without showers, without meaningful human interaction and contact, at times for 24 hours or more. Studies show that forced isolation is one of the worst things that can happen to inmates. Stressed out and mentally ill inmates are a danger to themselves and to deputies.

The lawsuit, Norbert v. CCSF , 3:19-cv-02724 is set for trial on August 8, 2023. San Francisco has no defense for why our jails violate the building code. And the plaintiffs in Norbert claim that denying human beings – long term – outdoor sunlight causes chronic illness, including diabetes. One of the plaintiffs, M. Brackens has developed diabetes while incarcerated in San Francisco County Jail.

The San Francisco Deputy Sheriff’s Association wants to do our job, and do it in a way that treats inmates humanely. The Sheriff’s Department Mission Statement says that the Sheriff is committed to the “constitutional detention” of inmates. The Mayor needs to allocate enough funding so that all inmates receive constitutional conditions of confinement.

We were forced to close 850 Bryant Street because it was so dilapidated that there were regular raw sewage spills in jail cells. That cost the City $2.1 million in a lawsuit.

San Francisco needs to provide jails that meet all building code and constitutional standards. And the Sheriff’s Department cannot do so, if the Mayor keeps cutting the Sheriff’s budget so there’s not enough staffing, and sufficient capital investment in the jails themselves so that the jails meet constitutional standards.

Ken Lomba
President
San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association
415-696-2428