Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said he and members of the staff were urged by the U.S. Department of Justice to visit and tour a mental health facility in Bernalillo County, N.M., which had been under a similar federal consent decree because of poor conditions at that jail.
Leadership at the Lake County Jail is now considering new training procedures for officers on dealing with mentally ill inmates, working on conditions for inmates, and how to best use the existing mental health ward.
“What we saw as very impressive,” Martinez said.
The sheriff said the correctional officers in New Mexico were motivated and wanted to work with the mental health staff. Martinez said the officers had training on mental health and escalation tactics.
Martinez said officers had more direct supervision of inmates, and were able to better identify any potential signs of mental issues.
“You could see the staff believed in what they’re doing,” said Michael Zenk, Lake County Jail warden.
Zenk said he’d like to promote officers learning about working with people with mental conditions.
“Our C.O.s are doing a good job,” Martinez said, but there is always room for improvement.
Martinez said the jail staff has already reached out to Bernalillo County for their policies, procedures and training plans so they can be used in Lake County.
“I think that trip was worth it,” Martinez said.
The DOJ’s next inspection of the jail is set for October. The Lake County Jail has been under DOJ supervision since 2010 when federal oversight was required after a lawsuit over inhumane conditions and inadequate health care.
After the group returned, William Mescall, the jail’s mental health director, said they began reviewing what changes could be implemented immediately and which were more long-term projects. Mescall said some of the immediate changes were adjusting schedules and creating incentives for more inmates in the ward to leave their cells.
Mescall said one issue the DOJ has pointed out in that Lake County needs more out of cell time for the inmates in the mental health ward. He said the staff has difficulty getting inmates out of their cells for meals or group therapy sessions.
Creating incentives for inmates is something that has worked in Bernalillo County, Mescall said. In Lake County, Mescall said the facility could use extra free time, popcorn, a movie to incentivize inmates.
“They had a lot of good ideas,” Mescall said.
The Bernalillo County facility is larger than Lake County, Mescal said, and has more space to better manage inmates based on their condition. Mescall said Lake County has “Y Pod,” which has four smaller sections.
“We’ve been looking at how to maximize the space we have,” Mescall said.
Zenk said most facilities separate people who are showing behavioral issues from those with genuine mental health issues. Zenk said Lake County could do a better job separating those populations.
“We’re not set up that way right now,” Zenk said.