FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS - PAGE 6

FINDING 3: There is a security risk involved in the procedures used to transfer inmates from the Lompoc Jail to court appearances in the Lompoc court building. The Grand Jury concurs with the Farbstein report finding that there is a need for court holding facilities in Lompoc (p. 16-7). This need will only become greater and the security risk of more concern with the increased use of the Lompoc court following the January 1997 consolidation. Additionally, the lack of private space for attorney client consultation makes confidentiality difficult.

RECOMMENDATION 3: The Sheriff and the North County Court Administrator should establish a secure court holding facility and attorney conference space in Lompoc.

RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION 3: The Sheriff's Department has no objection to the establishment of a court holding facility in Lompoc. However, we are unaware of funding for such a project. We believe the construction of a North County Jail facility is a higher priority. We would support a court holding facility in Lompoc to the extent that it would not divert funding or other resources from the North County Jail project. Any court holding facility in Lompoc should be of sufficient size to meet current and future needs for that court. In addition to costs of funding construction of such a facility, operational costs must be considered.