COVID-19 and BSCC Reporting Requirements

TO:                 All Sheriffs, Chief Probation Officers, Police Chiefs with TH/TI Jails, Jail Managers

FROM:           Linda Penner, Chair, Board of State and Community Corrections

RE:                 CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 & BSCC PROGRAMS

 

On March 6, 2020, the Board of State and Community Corrections sent a memo to the field providing a reminder regarding the process to suspend Title 15 standards for adult and juvenile facilities. A copy of the memo can be found here: http://www.bscc.ca.gov/news/covid-19-jail-notification-procedures-outlined/

Given the potential delays between implementing an emergency suspension and formal notification to the Board, we are now requesting that any instances of suspension of regulations related to COVID-19 be immediately reported to the facility’s assigned Field Representative, which can be found here: http://www.bscc.ca.gov/wp- content/uploads/2019-FSO-FR-Assignments_Effect.-Sept-2019_FINAL-1.pdf

 

In-Person Visitation at Adult Local Detention Facilities:

In light of Governor’s Executive Order No. 25-20, and in consultation with the California Department of Public Health, it is recommended that adult local detention facilities suspend in-person visitation (except legal visits). Accordingly, I will approve any requests to suspend in-person visitation at adult facilities for the duration of the COVID- 19 emergency pursuant to section 1012 of Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations.

 

Ongoing Biennial Inspections of Local Detention Facilities:

At this time, the BSCC will continue to conduct its biennial inspection of local detention facilities. To the extent that local detention facilities are directly impacted by COVID-19, the BSCC will work with facilities to ensure a review of policies and procedures if a physical, onsite inspection is not feasible. We will work with the facilities to reschedule inspections, if necessary and continue to provide ongoing technical assistance.

 

STC Training Compliance: 

We have received several inquiries about compliance with STC training standards due to travel restrictions, cancellations of training conferences, or an overall need to suspend training due to COVID-19. To the extent training classes are cancelled, we are asking agencies to document the cancellation as related to COVID-19 and identify staff that may be out of compliance with STC requirements as a result. We will provide technical assistance and will recommend alternatives to in-person training, such as online training or other opportunities to complete core training, if available.  To the extent that training cannot be completed due to COVID-19, we will consider COVID-19 as a mitigating circumstance so that agencies are not found out of compliance with training standards and can have additional time to complete the training requirements.
Please contact your assigned Field Representative for additional questions: http://www.bscc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Agency-Contact-2020-March.pdf

 

If you have any questions, please contact your respective Field Representatives.

Thank you,

LINDA PENNER
Chair

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