Report 2018-106 Recommendation 23 Responses

Report 2018-106: Correctional Officer Health and Safety: Some State and County Correctional Facilities Could Better Protect Their Officers From the Health Risks of Certain Inmate Attacks (Release Date: September 2018)

Recommendation #23 To: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

To ensure the safety of its staff, Men's Central should provide annual training that is specific to preventing and responding to gassing attacks.

6-Month Agency Response

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - Custody Division, including Men's Central Jail, provides orientation training for all employees. Custody Deputies and Custody Assistants receive specific training regarding the prevention and response to gassings during their orientation. Additionally, as noted and provided in the 60 day response, the Department completed the "Gassing Incidents" training video, which is available to all staff to view from work computers and is periodically emailed to staff.

Furthermore, Men's Central Jail Training Unit and Custody Training and Standards Bureau (CTSB) have certified curriculum for the Intensified Format Training (IFT) Gassing Course through the California Standards and Training in Corrections (STC). Custody Division is now providing annual training during briefing/training sessions. The approved IFT outline is included in this response.

Lastly, the Department is taking the initiative by interviewing and surveying gassing suspects in an effort to determine causal factors. The Department hopes this information will be highly useful by both addressing inmate concerns and preventing future gassing assaults.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented

60-Day Agency Response

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - Custody Division, including Men's Central Jail provides orientation training for all employees. Custody Deputies and Custody Assistants receive specific training regarding the prevention and response to gassings during their orientation. Additionally, the Men's Central Jail Training Unit is working with the Custody Standards and Training Bureau (CTSB) to certify curriculum for an Intensified Format Training (IFT) through the California Standards and Training in Corrections (STC). This would enable the Custody Division to provide training annually during briefing/training sessions. The Custody Support Services Bureau is currently drafting policy which would require the completion of the IFT once annually by all custody staff

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

The State Auditor looks forward to reviewing the progress LASD has made in developing training regarding gassing attacks at the six month response.

All Recommendations in 2018-106

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.