Regaining a Positive Image

Next Tuesday the findings of the Orange County Jail Assessment Project will be released at the Board of Supervisors meeting. This exhaustive audit, conducted by Crout & Sida Criminal Justice Consultants, is the culmination of extensive onsite evaluations of all five correctional facilities, all court holding facilities, and various divisions and units supporting the corrections mission. The goal was to get an understanding of the operation and the challenges we face each and every day in the safety and well-being of our inmates and staff - and to identify areas on which we can improve.

Throughout this process, the auditing team has communicated with the Executive Command Staff and Corrections Division Commanders on critical issues that required immediate attention. The men and women serving in corrections have embraced these changes - the final report notes, "Staff at all levels is engaged and enthusiastic about the work that they perform in the jail and express pride in their department." The report continues, "[m]any expressed that they are looking forward to moving the department out of the glaring light of public scrutiny and regaining a positive image..." We are well on our way.

As you will hear in the report presentation, there are many challenges ahead. Today more than ever, inmate populations are in poorer health, more drug addicted, more mentally ill and more prone to violence. Additionally, many of the improvements we will need to make on our correctional facilities will require additional funding - a sobering admission as we wrestle with ever-tightening budgets. However, as I've witnessed over the last five months, the men and women in our department will rise to these challenges and pave a way to greater success.

I look forward to the jail assessment presentation next week as it will showcase the extraordinary work we've already accomplished for the residents of Orange County and it will guide us all as we move forward to "regaining a positive image."

SANDRA HUTCHENS

Sheriff-Coroner

Deputy Curtis Vincent won top honors from the Red Cross for coordinating the Department Blood Drive that reaped 108 percent of the goal that had been set. The Red Cross cited several other county department Blood Drive Coordinators for achievements but Deputy Vincent's results were the highest, according to Red Cross officials.

Deputy Vincent has been coordinating the Department Blood Drive at the IRC since at least 2002. He buys lottery tickets and Starbucks gift cards and other items with his own money to give out as raffle prizes to Department members who donate blood.

He is currently preparing to coordinate the Department's effort in the Red Cross's Battle of the Badges Blood Drive. Anybody donating blood at Red Cross Centers from January 20 to February 2, 2009 can designate the Department as the sponsor of their contribution. The Department will compete against local, state and federal law enforcement agencies around the state in the competition.