The classes at the Department’s Jail Academy are mostly about safety and security. The exception is the  Inmate Programs Class facilitated by managers of the Inmate Services Division. This class spells out for new deputies what must be done to afford inmates what they are entitled to by law.

“Title 15 is the state code that governs the rights of inmates and it must be obeyed by Department staff,” said Tracy Zuber, Administrative Manager with the Inmate Services Division. 

“These are the inmate rights, accept them, they are not going to go away,” said Administrator Zuber. She said her goal is to see to it that inmates get what they are entitled to without compromising the safety of the jail staff or the security of the facility.

She started the class by instilling in the Deputies the seriousness of what she and Administrative Manager Don Wightman were about to teach them.

“Some Deputies look at this as inmate “fluff and fold”, but you need to recognize the importance of Title 15,” said Administrator Zuber.  She told the new Deputies to not assume that she is a bleeding heart out to expand the cause of inmate comfort. She wanted to be a Deputy but dropped out of the Academy due to an injury. She is married to a Department Investigator.  

In the Orange County Jail system, Inmate Services is responsible for three areas of inmate care: Commissary, Food Services, and Correctional Programs.

Commissary allows inmates to purchase necessities such as soap and toothpaste and luxuries such as candy and popcorn.  The James Musick Facility even has a soda machine, which allows inmates to purchase soda with the use of special cards they purchase. Inmates are not permitted to have money in their possession but they have money “on the books” which can be used to purchase items from Commissary.

Discussion of the inmate books drew a question from one of the 22 deputies in the class.

“Where do inmates get money?” the deputy asked. More...

The Orange County Register reported on Sheriff Sandra Hutchens giving a speech at the 9/11 commemoration at Irvine Valley College.

The story said in part:

Hutchens urged residents to remain aware of the danger terrorism presents, but cautioned them not to live their lives in fear.

"We must acknowledge that they exist and their purpose is to eliminate our freedom and our democratic way of life," Hutchens said. "We will not let them prevail."

To read the full Orange County Registers story click here:

Assistant Sheriff Michael Hillmann also spoke about the impact of 9/11 on our society. His talk in Laguna Niguel was also featured by the Orange County Register in their roundup of 9/11 Memorials.   

Of Chief Hillmann's message, the Register story said:

LAGUNA NIGUEL:Candles glowed at dusk Thursday in Crown Valley Community Park's amphitheater as crowds gathered to commemmorate the victims of Sept. 11, 2001. Representatives from the Orange County Fire Authority, the Orange County Sheriff's Department and servicemen from the USS McClusky. Laguna Niguel's adopted Navy vessel, attended the event. A three piece orchestra played American music as a background to the memorial.

Orange County Sheriff's Department Chaplain Kathleen Rutland was there to greet guests, offering a sense of spiritual comfort during the ceremony when she gave the benediction.

Assistant Sheriff Michael Hillman, recently retired from the Los Angeles Police Department and with the OCSD for only four days, spoke about the tragedies of the day seven years ago.

“We have to stop and reflect for a moment on how precious life is,” he said. “Our lives changed, and we can't take for granted these men and women who are now in a faraway place. Take a moment and hug your families. What did we do today? Our day isn't over. Vigilance will go on forever.”