This place is super bootsy. Not only did it come in 20 million dollars over budget (the budget was 60mill and it cost 80mil), it is completely sub-standard in every way. The roof leaks, the food is old and often rotten, the computer system in running on Windows XP, the "security" cameras are placed in such a way to provide plenty of dead zones (apparently to save on conduit expenditure), it is staffed with psychopaths and drug addicts, and requires constant maintenance of its slipshod constuction. Basically, the taxpayers payed for fillet mignon, and got Salisbury steak.
The medical department is only interested in denying care. I was only there for 3 months and at least one inmate (Kenny Keely IIRC) died from lack of adequate medical care.
There is rampant violence, in no way mitigated by the correctional officers, as they sit back and watch whatever fights/beatings break out . In one case, they even encouraged said beating, by placing a protective custody inmate (know as a child molester) into the maximum security pod. The CO who did so (Tiffany Quenzer) said "this guy is coming from PC (protective custody), so we expect you to act up." This CO was recently promoted to Corporal.
Whist the staff goes through the motions of providing inmate housing, they actually provide a prison-like atmosphere at the county level. As there doesn't seem to be any kind of regulatory oversight, they will probably continue to get away with being more and more corrupt, much like the rest of the so called "justice" department of Calaveras County.
Inmates are discouraged from exercise, as this would let them release tension in a more constructive manner than fighting amongst themselves. There is only one hot meal served per day. The "beds" are a mere steel slab with about and inch of cotton padding, witch compresses to about a centimeter once laid upon. Inmates are subjected to passive tortures such as sleep deprivation and gradual starvation. They are not allowed access to a law, or any other type, of library, except at a COs discretion . This means that those that need education most, are routinely denied it.
The staff is surly, the bedding is extremely uncomfortable, the recreation might as well not exist, the food is cold and awful, and the commissary carries at least a 300% mark-up.
Both thumbs and toes down for this place. read more