>> COMING UP NEXT ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT", TELECOM GIANT AT&T ANNOUNCES THAT IT WANTS TO ABANDON ITS LANDLINES SYSTEM IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY, PROMISING THAT WHILE MANY HUMBOLDT COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE NO STABLE CELL PHONE SERVICE, THOSE WITHOUT OTHER OPTIONS WILL NOT BE LEFT WITHOUT SERVICE.

WE'LL SEE.

ALSO, HUMBOLDT COUNTY SHERIFF WILLIAM HONSAL JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT A RECENT REPORT ON THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, AND THE CHALLENGES FACED WHEN HOUSING SO MANY INMATES.

COMING UP NOW ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT."

FROM THE TOP OF HUMBOLDT HILL, THIS IS "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT."

I'M JAMES FAULK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

AS MANY OF YOU FOLKS KNOW, I'VE SPENT TIME IN THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY JAIL.

NO, IT WASN'T A PR TOUR, SOME TEPID WALK-THROUGH WHERE I VIEWED INMATES THROUGH PLATE GLASS AND KEPT MY RESPECTFUL DISTANCE.

I WAS ARRESTED, SEARCHED, STRIPPED DOWN, MADE TO WEAR A RATHER ILL-FITTING ORANGE JUMPSUIT AND THEN MATRICULATED INTO A POPULATION OF PEOPLE THAT MOST PREFER TO FORGET ABOUT.

IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE.

IT SMELLED LIKE INDUSTRIAL CLEANER.

THE LIGHTS WOULD DIM, BUT NEVER REALLY GO OUT, AND THERE WERE NO DOORS ON THE BATHROOM STALLS.

IT WAS EXTREMELY TOUGH TO STOMACH, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT I WAS GOING INTO WITHDRAWAL FROM OPIATE ADDICTION AND EVERYTHING IN THAT MOMENT CONSISTENTED OF FEAR AND SWEATY DISCOMFORT.

YET I WASN'T MISTREATED.

THE GUARDS WERE RESPECTFUL, IF DISTANT, AND THE FOOD WAS MOSTLY ON TIME AND HOT.

WE WERE TREATED LIKE HUMAN BEINGS, THOUGH PRECAUTIONS HAD TO BE TAKEN FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY.

I'D COMMITTED A CRIME, AND THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAD DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS THE BEST PLACE FOR ME IN THAT MOMENT.

THANK GOD THEY HAD.

IF I HADN'T BEEN FORCED TO SUFFER THOSE INDIGNITIES, AND FACE UP TO WHAT SEEMED THEN LIKE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES, I DON'T KNOW THAT I EVER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN CLEAN.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TODAY, THESE YEARS AND YEARS LATER, THAT MY KIDS WOULD STILL HAVE A FATHER.

THOSE IN AUTHORITY SELDOM PUT THEMSELVES IN A POSITION TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT SUCH AN INSTITUTION FROM THE VERY PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN IMPRISONED THERE.

SHERIFF WILLIAM HONSAL, AFTER A COUPLE OF RECENT JAIL-RELATED TRAGEDIES AND NEAR MISSES, WAS WILLING TO HAVE SUCH A CONVERSATION, AND WE'LL BRING THAT TO YOU SHORTLY.

BUT FIRST, THE NEWS.

MANY NORTH COAST RESIDENTS MAY LOSE THEIR LANDLINE PHONE SERVICE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AS TELECOM GIANT AT&T TRIES TO GET OUT FROM UNDER ITS OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES.

THE COMPANY HAS APPLIED TO THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO HAVE ITS DESIGNATION AS A CARRIER OF LAST RESORT REMOVED.

THE DESIGNATION REQUIRES AT&T TO PROVIDE WIRED PHONE SERVICE TO HOME AND BUSINESS CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT ITS SERVICE AREA.

IF THEIR APPLICATION GETS APPROVED, MANY RESIDENTS WOULD LOSE THEIR LANDLINES AND BE LEFT WITH ONLY CELLULAR OR INTERNET-BASED SERVICE.

THE COMPANY CLAIMS THAT MAINTAINING ANALOG SERVICE IS A WASTE OF MONEY AND RESOURCES, DUPLICATING COVERAGE.

THE AREAS IMPACTED, PARTS OF ARCATA, EUREKA, RIO DELL, TRINIDAD AND OTHER COMMUNITIES ALONG THE NORTH COAST.

GIVEN THE SPOTTY CELL COVERAGE MANY OF US EXPERIENCE ON A DAILY BASIS, ARE WE WILLING TO TRUST THAT SYSTEM WITH OUR LIVES AND SAFETY?

IF AT&T'S REQUEST IS APPROVED, ANOTHER CARRIER COULD STEP IN TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES, BUT SUCH AN OUTCOME IS FARRAR GUARANTEED.

AT&T HAS SAID IT WILL MAINTAIN SERVICES FOR THE FEW CUSTOMERS WITHOUT ACCESS TO ALTERNATIVE CARRIERS.

BUT MANY NORTH COAST LEADERS AREN'T CONTENT TO LET AT&T WALK AWAY.

"THIS PROPOSAL LEAVES RURAL RESIDENTS VULNERABLE AND IT'S DANGEROUS," STATE SENATOR MIKE McGUIRE SAID.

"AT&T'S IDEA TO CAST OFF THEIR OBLIGATION AS THE CARRIER OF LAST RESORT AND STOP MAINTAINING THEIR NETWORK WILL LITERALLY TAKE PEOPLE'S LIFELINES AWAY.

EVERY RESIDENT IN THIS STATE HERE IS OUR INTERVIEW FROM HERE IS OUR INTERVIEW FROM SHERIFF WILLIAM HONSAL, THE IMPORTANCE OF EMERGENCY LANDLINE SERVICES AND MORE.

WE ARE JOINED IN HOUSE BY SHERIFF WILLIAM HONSAL WHO HAS TAKEN TIME OUT OF HIS VERY BUSY SCHEDULE TO MEET WITH US TODAY AND WE APPRECIATE IT >> YEAH.

>> THE IMPETUS FOR CALLING THIS INTERVIEW OR WHATEVER IS YOU ISSUED A SORT OF ANNUAL SUMMARY OR REPORT, IT IS NOT REALLY A FORMAL REPORT, ABOUT THE JAIL'S ACTIVITIES.

>> YEAH.

>> I THOUGHT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I HAVE COVERED IN DEPTH AND THERE ARE PIECES I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND BETTER.

I KNOW OUR VIEWERS PROBABLY KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

YOU HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE A WHILE AND A LOT OF THEM HAVE VOTED FOR YOU.

IF YOU CAN GIVE US A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH HOW YOU ENDED UP AS SHERIFF IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

TALKING ABOUT THE JAIL IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

THIS IS MY CLOSE TO SEVEN YEARS BEING SHERIFF.

I WAS APPOINTED BACK IN 2017.

I REPLACED MIKE DONAHUE WHO RETIRED.

I HAVE RUN TWICE NOW UNOPPOSED.

AND SO THIS IS MY SECOND TERM BEING ELECTED AS SHERIFF.

BEING SHERIFF HAS SO MANY DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

I'M VERY, VERY HAPPY TO MAKE OUR COUNTY AND COMMUNITY BETTER.

I GREW UP HERE, WENT TO EUREKA HIGH SCHOOL, GREW UP ON HUMBOLDT HILL SO I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO JUST BRING THAT KIND OF COMMUNITY-MINDEDNESS TO EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.

>> YEAH.

>> SO MAKING SURE, NUMBER ONE, I'M ACCESSIBLE, NUMBER ONE, I'M CONSTANTLY MEETING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS THE NEEDS AND TO BUILD TRUST WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS SO IMPORTANT.

AS THE LEAD LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL IN THE COUNTY, IF PEOPLE DON'T TRUST LAW ENFORCEMENT, TRUST IN GOVERNMENT OVERALL ERODES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FROM REPORTS I HEAR YOU ARE A VERY ACCESSIBLE ELECTED OFFICIAL AND THAT CAN'T BE SAID FOR A LOT OF FOLKS.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING THAT.

IT IS SOMETHING I DEFINITELY PRIDE MYSELF ON.

THANK YOU.

>> BEFORE WE GET TO THE JAIL.

I WANT TO GET YOUR REACTION TO SOMETHING WE JUST REPORTED ON THE SHOW.

SO AT& T' IS SAYING THEY ARE GOING STOP COVERAGE OF LANDLINES.

SOMEONE WHO IS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE A LANDLINE OPTION IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, ESPECIALLY IF POWER MIGHT BE GOING DOWN OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE LAST RESORT LINE IS WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO GET RID OF AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT.

THAT, TO ME, IS A HUGE CONCERN, A HUGE RED FLAG AND A SIGNAL THAT SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER THESE BUSINESSES CAN PULL OUT OF RESPONSIBILITY PROVIDING COMMUNICATIONS TO THE RURAL PART OF CALIFORNIA.

>> THERE IS NOT ANY PROFIT IN IT.

IT IS SMALL, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME SOMEONE HAS TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES.

>> WE ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR HUMBOLDT ALERT SYSTEM TO CALL PEOPLE IN AN EMERGENCY.

A LOT OF TIME IN THE RURAL AREAS THEIR LANDLINE IS THEIR WAY OF CONTACTING US IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION.

IF THERE IS A WILDFIRE, A FLOOD, A WAY TO TELL PEOPLE TO SAY IN THEIR HOME BECAUSE THERE MAY BE A DYNAMIC SITUATION OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES, WE CALL THEIR HOMES, THEIR LANDLINES, THEIR COPPER LINE AND SAY, HEY, STAY HOME.

OR EVACUATE.

WE HAVE A FIRE COMING.

WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

>> IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE THOSE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN.

AT&T SAYING THEY WANT TO ABANDON THOSE LINES OR MAKE SURE THESE PEOPLE HAVE SOME OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION, BUT AS WE'VE SEEN THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA AND ALL THE DISASTERS LATELY, REDUNDANT LINES OF COMMUNICATION ARE SO IMPORTANT.

>> EXACTLY RIGHT.

>> EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LAND LINE SETUP YOU TECHNICALLY CAN PICK UP THAT PHONE AND CALL 9-1-1 BECAUSE THEY WORK.

>> THEY STILL WORK.

>> YES.

I WANT THAT ABILITY TO BE THERE AND IT IS WHAT IS BEST FOR CALIFORNIA.

IF THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME MAINTAINING THESE, THERE SHOULD BE FEDERAL SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN THESE LINES AS A LAST RESORT.

I AGREE.

IT IS A LOT OF MONEY, I'M SURE, BUT ALSO IT IS THEIR BUSINESS AND THEY RELIED ON THIS BUSINESS FOR A LONG TIME AND AS A COMMUNITY AND AS SOMEONE WHO IS DEFTD -- DEFINITELY INVOLVED IN PUBLIC SAFETY, THE SHERIFFS IN THE NORTH STATE HAVE MET ON THIS TOPIC, WE ARE GOING MEET WITH AT&T OFFICIALS AND MAKE SURE THEY HEAR US LOUD AND CLEAR THAT WE THINK THIS IS A BAD IDEA.

>> EXCELLENT.

THERE ARE SOME CPUC MEETINGS COMING TO SUBMIT COMMENTS AND FIND OUT WHEN THE HEARINGS ARE HELD AND GET THEIR INPUT IN.

IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT PEOPLE DO THAT.

NOW THE JAIL.

IT'S GOT TO BE A COMPLICATED THING TO MANAGE.

JUST FROM THE LOGISTICS ASPECTS OF IT, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT GO THROUGH THERE AT ANY ONE TIME.

TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE BOOKED 6,189 IN 2023.

THOSE ARE LIVING, BREATHING PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> ALL THE COMPLICATIONS THAT GO WITH THAT SORT OF THING.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW YOU WEAR THAT RESPONSIBILITY?

>> YES.

>> WHEN YOU MANAGE AN OPERATION LIKE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BUT ON AVERAGE 275 PEOPLE ARE DEPENDENT UPON YOU AND IT HAS TO BE A DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITY AND CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON IN THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE A FANTASTIC CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

AND THOUGH SOMETIMES THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING PEOPLE GOING TO JAIL MAY BE HARD FOR SOME PEOPLE TO GRASP, I CALL IT THE GIFT OF JAIL.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE NEED THAT TIME TO REALLY PULL THEMSELVES OUT OF THE SITUATION THEY GOT IN, TO REFLECT ON IT, TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO GET THEM ON THEIR FEET AGAIN >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT, WHEN I TOOK THIS JOB, I HAD NO EXPERIENCE ON WHATSOEVER.

I DOVE INTO THAT AND FOUND OUT IT IS A GREAT COMMUNITY, TO LOOK AT THE LEADERSHIP AND THE CORRECTIONAL DEPUTIES CURRENTLY ASSIGNED THERE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB OFFERING CARE OF CUSTODY OF THAT FACILITY AND THE INMATES.

>> YEAH.

>> I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, THEY DRIVE BY 4th AND 5th STREET AND SEE THAT MONSTROSITY.

>> THE BIG HOUSE.

>> THE BIG HOUSE.

EXACTLY.

PEOPLE COMMENT ABOUT THE COLOR AND THE SIZE, BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT GOES ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

>> YEAH.

>> OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WE HAD AN OPEN HOUSE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO OFF THAT GOING FORWARD.

IT NEEDS TO BE MORE ADDRESSED.

PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT GOES ON IN THE JAIL.

THEY HAVE SOMETHING IN THEIR MIND.

>> YES.

>> A JAIL IS A LINEAR FACILITY WITH BARS THAT CLOSE AND PEOPLE CONFINED IN CAGES.

THAT IS NOT WHAT HUMBOLDT CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IS ABOUT.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THE REALITY IS.

WE ARE PROGRAMS INTENSIVE IN THAT DEPARTMENT.

AND SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WHEN SOMEONE IS INCARCERATED, IT IS A DIRECT SUPERVISION FACILITY WHERE WE HAVE A DORM THAT HAS UP TO 75 INMATES THAT'S MANAGED BY ONE CORRECTIONAL DEPUTY.

>> YEAH.

>> AND EVERY INMATE IS JUDGED NOT NECESSARILY ON THE CRIME THEY DID, BUT THEIR ABILITY TO ASSIMILATE WITHIN THAT COMMUNITY.

>> YEAH.

>> IN THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

AND AS LONG AS THEY CAN GET ALONG WITH THE OTHER INMATES, THE STAFF, FOLLOW THE RULES AND ADHERE TO ALL THE STANDARDS, THEY ARE ABLE TO MOVE ABOUT FREELY WITHIN THAT DORM.

>> YEAH.

>> AND SO IN THOSE DORMS, AND EVEN IN OUR MAX SECURITY UNITS, WHICH IS LIKE THE HARD CELLS.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

WHO ARE ISOLATED IF THEY HAVE BEEN VIOLENT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE THOSE PEOPLE WHO AUTOMATICALLY ASSAULT OUR DEPUTIES WHEN WE LET THEM OUT OF A JAIL CELL.

THEY GET PUNCHED AND KICK US AND IT IS TROUBLING NO MATTER WHAT WE OFFER.

>> YEAH.

>> SO WE HAVE TO HAVE THE SECURED CELLS AND WE HAVE PLACES FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

WE HAVE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS WITHIN THE FACILITY AND PEOPLE DECLARED INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL.

>> AVERAGE POPULATION ON MENTAL HEALTH MEDICATION, 43%.

THE POPULATION IS HIGH, BUT I CAN'T IMAGINE 20%.

SO IT HAS BECOME SOMEWHAT OF A FACILITY THAT HAS TO DEAL WITH THE BURDEN SOCIETY FACES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

>> YEAH.

>> IT IS MORE SO IN THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

.

WE HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS, MENTAL ILLNESS.

WE HAVE ALL SORTS OF HANGUPS PEOPLE COME INTO THE JAIL WITH.

WE HAVE DHHS, SUPPORT FOR CLINICIANS TO COME IN AND PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT AND CARE AND SEEN BY A PSYCHIATRIST.

SO WE HAVE 43 PEOPLE ON MEDICATION.

BUT WE HAVE PEOPLE, MORE THAN THAT, OVER 50%, SEE CLINICIANS, TO SEE SUPPORT.

>> YEAH.

>> GET MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT COMPONENT.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT CAN CARRY OVER OUTSIDE OF THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

>> PEOPLE GET A SENSE OF WHAT THE TREATMENT LOOKS LIKE OR THEIR LIVES MIGHT IMPROVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY ARE SAFE THAT CAN LEAD TO TREATMENT DOWN THE ROAD.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

MENTAL ILLNESS IS OFTEN COVERED UP BY SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES.

THE CO-DISORDERS, SO TO SPEAK.

WE BREAK DOWN, TRY TO IDENTIFY THEM.

OBVIOUSLY, THEY ARE PULLED OUT OF THEIR ADDICTION.

THERE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SMUGGLE DRUGS IN.

>> I HAVE BEEN ARRESTED.

>> OKAY.

>> I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE JAIL.

I GOT SEARCHED.

I WASN'T TRYING TO SNEAK ANYTHING IN BUT I HAVE NO IDEA -- I GET I DO HAVE AN IDEA BUT IT IS NOT POLITE TO DISCUSS ON TELEVISION.

>> EXACTLY.

NO.

NO.

>> IT'S JUST, I MEAN, ONE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS AND COMPLICATIONS YOU FACE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE PEOPLE RUN THE GAMUT WHERE LOOK AT THIS LIST OF PROGRAMS YOU OFFER, CREDIT COURSES FROM THE COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS, ANGER COUNSELING, SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING, YOGA.

OLD-SCHOOL THINKERS, THEY SHOULD BE IN A BOX AND THROW THEM A MEAL EVERY SIX HOURS AND THAT IS ALL THEY SHOULD GET BECAUSE THEY ARE BEING PUNISHED.

THAT IS AN OLD MODEL THAT HASN'T WORKED.

YOU ARE EVOLVING.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THAT CHANGED IN YOUR TIME IN OFFICE?

ONE CHANGE IS POSITIVE AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT OFTENTIMES PEOPLE ON THE STREET ARE IN, SAY, LIKE A HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SO THEY ARE ADDICTED AND STRUGGLING WITH THEIR ADDICTION AND NOT TOTALLY FAITHFUL TO THE PROGRAM BUT THEY CAN GET BUPINOPREN IN THE JAIL.

IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THROUGH DRUG WITHDRAWAL, IT IS THE MOST AWFUL THING IN THE WORLD.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THAT IS AN ENLIGHTENED MOVE.

THAT ALONE IS SAVING LYS.

I KNOW SOMEONE WHO KILLED THEMSELVES AT THE JAIL, JUMPED OFF THE SECOND TOWER AND DIED BECAUSE HE DIDN'T THINK HE COULD GO THROUGH THE WITHDRAWAL HE HAS BEEN FACES FOR 30 YEARS.

THAT IS A PROGRESSIVE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> THERE IS A LOT TO UNPACK THERE.

YOU ARE PASSIONATE LIKE I AM PASSIONATE.

YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.

WE HAVE LOOKED UPON THE LAST 60 YEARS OF DATA THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WITHIN CALIFORNIA AND SAYING, HOW IS THIS WORKING?

WHAT IS REALLY WORKING HERE?

THAT IS WHY WHEN THIS WAS BUILT 25 YEARS AGO.

>> YEAH.

>> IT IS CALLED A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

WE WANT TO CORRECT BEHAVIOR AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE BETTER WHEN THEY GET OUT OF JAIL.

THAT IS A GOAL OF A REHABILITATION PROGRAM.

I CAN'T MAKE ANYONE REHABILITATE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I CAN'T MAKE ANYONE TAKE A PROGRAM.

I CAN CONTINUOUSLY OFFER A PROGRAM.

MAYBE THE 10th TIME THEY ARE ARRESTED THEY WANT TO GET IN A MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAM.

WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRSTS TO START THAT PROGRAM.

IT IS COUPLED WITH WHAT IS GOING ON ON THE OUTSIDE.

SOMEONE CAN CONTINUE THEIR MEDICATIONS LIKE SABOXON INTO THE FACILITY OR START IN THE FACILITY AND CONTINUE IT ON THE OUTSIDE.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW THEY COULD DO THAT.

THAT IS EVEN BETTER IN MY MIND.

>> EVEN BETTER.

WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR ADDICTION ISSUES.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, SOMETIMES PEOPLE NEED TO -- THEY ARE STUCK IN THEIR ADDICTION.

IS >> YEAH.

>> WHAT I CAN'T STAND IS WHAT I SEE OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WE SEE PEOPLE TRAPPED IN THEIR ADDICTION, WE PASS BY THEM IN EUREKA AND ARCATA AND THEY BECOME PART OF THE LANDSCAPE.

WE DISMISS THE BEHAVIOR.

SOMEONE BREAKS OUT A WINDOW, SOMEONE STEALS SOMETHING AND THEY ARE HIGH ON DRUGS AND WE DISMISS IT.

IT IS JUST THAT.

NOTHING IS GOING BE DONE ANYWAY.

WE HAVE TO HOLD THOSE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE IF THAT IS OUR SON OR DAUGHTER THAT IS ADDICTED YOU WOULD SAY DO SOMETHING, INTERVENE IN THAT ASPECT.

THERE MIGHT BE, AGAIN, THAT ONE TIME WHEN WE MAKE THAT INTERVENTION HAPPEN AND TAKE THEM OUT OF THE STREET WHERE THEY ARE FIGHTING TO GET HIGH EVERY DAY.

GET THEM IN A MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAM, GET THEM A COUPLE OF DAYS CLEAN AND SOBER.

>> THEY STABILIZE AND START TO THINK THIS IS BETTER >> YES.

THEIR HEAD BECOMES CLEAR AND THEY SAY LISTEN, DO I WANT TO GO BACK IN THAT BOX AND WE FUNNEL PEOPLE IN BETTY CHIN, TEEN CHALLENGE OR THE RESCUE MISSION.

OR WATERFRONT RECOVERY.

ALL THESE PLACES ARE THERE FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO HAVE HELP.

AND WE'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> WE WANT PEOPLE TO GET HELP BECAUSE THE RECIDIVISM RATE IN OUR COUNTY IS NOT GOOD, BUT IT IS GETTING BETTER.

SLOWLY AS PEOPLE START THINKING, LISTEN, PROGRAMS ARE GOOD.

ACCOUNTABILITY IS GOOD.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR ADDICTION TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T DO THOSE PETTY CRIMES, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THEY ARE ADDICTED TO DRUGS.

>> EXACTLY RIGHT.

THAT IS THE THING.

THAT BREAK OF THE CHAOS OF THEIR LIVES WHERE THEY ARE NO LONGER HAVING TO STEAL OR LIE OR CHEAT.

>> RIGHT >> BECAUSE THEY ARE IN A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN'T LEAVE AND OFFERED RELIEF FROM THEIR WITHDRAWAL, MED ASSISTED TREATMENT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I'M HARD PRESSED -- IF I HAD BEEN IN THAT SITUATION EARLIER I WOULD HAVE QUIT EARLIER.

SO I APPLAUD YOU PROVIDING THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> ONE THING I WANTED TO ADD TO THAT.

YOU TALK TO PEOPLE WHO WERE TRAPPED IN THEIR ADDICTION AND IT TOOK SOMETHING SERIOUS TO HAPPEN IN THEIR LIFE.

THEY MAY HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY A CAR, HAVE THEIR KIDS TAKEN AWAY OR FACING A SERIOUS JAIL TIME TO MAKE THAT DECISION IN THEIR LIFE AND TO CHANGE WHATEVER GOT THEM THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> YEAH.

>> I JUST WANT TO CONTINUOUSLY TELL PEOPLE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY IS A GOOD THING.

>> YEAH.

>> ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE WANT TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ALL THE PETTY CRIMES.

BECAUSE JAIL WAS ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED TO BE BUILT AROUND THOSE PETTY CRIMES >> YEAH.

>> YOU KNOW, FOR A PERSON TO NOT SPEND OVER A YEAR IN JAIL.

>> EXACTLY.

>> AND FOR THEM TO HAVE ALL THESE PROGRAMS IN PLACE.

WHAT JAIL HAS BECOME NOW IS A PRISON SYSTEM.

BECAUSE OF AB109.

>> I WAS GOING ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

BASICALLY, SO PEOPLE KNOW LOCAL COUNTY JAILS OR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES HAVE BECOME HOLDING PENS, BASICALLY, FOR THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM.

WHERE INMATES REACH A CERTAIN SHORTNESS OF SENTENCE, I THINK IT IS UNDER THREE YEARS, IS THAT STILL THE CASE?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND THE LOCAL JURISDICTIONS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HANDLING THEM.

BUT THEY GET INMATES THAT ARE MORE VIOLENT OR MAY HAVE GANG AFFILIATIONS OR MAY BE MORE COMPLICATED THAT THE RUN OF THE MILL PRISONER IN THE COUNTY JAIL.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE BURDEN PUT ON YOUR JAIL.

>> YES.

>> AND IF THAT IS STILL ONGOING AND WHAT YOU GUYS CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>> IT IS REALLY DEPRESSING.

OUR JAIL WAS BUILT TO HOLD SOMEONE A YEAR.

WE HAVE SOME PRESENTENCE INMATES.

>> SOME WANT TO SLOW IT DOWN AS LONG AS THEY CAN.

>> DUE PROCESS TAKES PLACE.

REALISTICALLY, A YEAR IS LIKELY THE MAX.

SO WE BUILT TO HAVE NOT BIG REC YARDS.

THERE IS NO ABILITY TO SEE THE SUNSHINE IN OUR COUNTY JAIL.

THERE IS NO OUTSIDE REC YARD, YOU KNOW.

SO THAT IS JUST ONE ASPECT.

IT IS A CONCRETE BOX, BASICALLY.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COULD SPEND MORE THAN THREE YEARS THERE.

STATUTORILY CRIMES THAT HAVE TO BE SERVED IN COUNTY JAIL AND NOT STATE PRISON DESPITE HOW MANY YEARS THEY ARE SERVING.

>> YEAH.

>> AND SO THERE ARE CERTAIN JAILS AROUND THE STATE THAT HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE SERVING 20 PLUS YEARS IN COUNTY JAIL.

>> ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN TO PRISON AND BEEN TO A COUNTY JAIL IS NOT PREFERABLE.

THEY WOULD RATHER GO TO A STATE PRISON.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THERE IS MORE ALTERNATIVES IN TERMS OF RECREATION.

THEY FIND IT IS A FREER ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONSTANT TRAFFIC.

>> YES.

IT IS A LONG-TERM FACILITY.

>> YEAH.

>> SO THAT REALIGNMENT HAPPENED IN 2011.

SO THE STATE WANTED TO GET UNDER THEIR PRISON NUMBERS, THEIR CAP.

>> THEY WERE OVERPOPULATED.

>> THEY WERE OVERPOPULATED.

THANK YOU.

THEY ARE UNDER NOW.

THE PANDEMIC CLEARED STATE PRISON SPACE WHERE THE GOVERNOR AGREED TO CLOSE SOME STATE PRISONS.

I CRINGE AT THAT IDEA BECAUSE I KNOW EVENTUALLY WE'RE GOING HAVE TO UTILIZE THOSE STATE PRISONS.

>> YEAH.

>> NOW THEY ARE GOING BE FORCED TO BUILD NEW ONES WHICH IS GOING COST WAY MORE MONEY AND STILL THEY ARE NOT GOING REALIGN.

I WOULD LOVE FOR THE STATE TO REALIGN AND TAKE ALL THESE PEOPLE BACK TO STATE PRISON AND PUT US BACK TO A COUNTY JAIL THAT TAKES CARE OF PETTY OFFENSES.

WE WANT TO STOP SOMEONE WHEN THE CRIME IS SMALL.

WE HAVE SEEN WHEN WE DON'T THE CRIMES GET BIGGER AND BIGGER AND THEY COMMIT A FELONY AND WE HAVE TO SEND THEM TO STATE PRISON.

>> WHEN YOU ARE SOCIALIZING PEOPLE WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE THEY MAY BE HARDENED CRIMINALS THAT BUILD A CULTURE.

THAT CAN BE A VIOLENT CHALLENGE FOR THE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, MORE VIOLENCE IN THE JAIL.

HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN THAT FROM THIS DEVELOPMENT?

>> WE HAVE.

WE HAVE.

ASSAULTS ON OTHER INMATES, ASSAULTS ON STAFF HAS GONE UP.

OVER THE YEARS WE RELEASED SOME OF THAT INFORMATION AND SOME OF THE VIDEOS THAT CORRESPOND TO SOME OF THOSE ASSAULTS.

>> YEAH.

>> WE ARE DEALING WITH VOLATILE PEOPLE.

YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.

YOU ARE ASSIMILATING WITH HARDENED CRIMINALS THAT SHOULD BE IN STATE PRISON AND ARE SERIOUS IN VIOLENCE AND THEY ARE PASSING ON SOME OF THAT KNOWLEDGE TO SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY IMPRESSIONABLE.

>> THAT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE, THE COLORS, I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER THE RIGHT CLICHE.

THE PEOPLE YOU RUN WITH YOU GAIN THEIR STRIPES.

>> I LIKE THE SAYING, SHOW ME YOUR FRIENDS AND I'LL SHOW YOU YOUR FUTURE.

>> ABSOLUTELY >> WE WANT POSITIVE INFLUENCES AROUND PEOPLE.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO, I KNOW GOING THE STATE AND SAYING HEY, LET'S GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO THAT IS A NONSTARTER.

THEY WOULD RATHER BUILD A FANCY THING THAN THE OLD THINGS SITTING ON THE HILL.

WHAT CAN BE DONE FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THIS SITUATION CLEAR TO THE STATE AND TACK SOME RESPONSIBILITY BACK.

IS THERE ANYTHING?

>> I THINK WHAT YOU ARE SEEING NOW IS THERE SOME MOVEMENT.

WITH PROP 47, 57, THESE LAWS THAT DECRIMINALIZED THINGS OR MADE THEM FROM FELONIES TO MISDEMEANORS, LOWERED THE OFFENSES.

SOME OF THAT HAS NOT WORKED.

WE SEE RAPID THEFTS IN RETAIL SHOPPING ESTABLISHMENTS AND WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

THIS GOES UP AND DOWN THE STATE.

SO FINALLY THE LEGISLATORS ARE HEARING FROM COMMUNITIES SAYING DO SOMETHING.

WE NEED TO HEAR -- PEOPLE NEED TO SPEAK UP TO OUR ASSEMBLY MEMBER JIM WOOD AND MIKE McGUIRE AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THESE ISSUES THAT COME UP.

LISTEN, YOU CAN CHANGE THIS.

YOU CAN CHANGE THE LAW SO IF SOMEONE DOES COMMIT MULTIPLE PETTY THEFTS AND MAYBE THEY DO NEED TO GO TO STATE PRISON OVER THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> IT IS HURTING US AND IT IS HURTING OUR STORES.

YOU GO TO SAN FRANCISCO NOW AND YOU SEE ALL THESE STORES THAT ARE ACTUALLY SHUT DOWN.

>> NOT WANTING TO MENTION LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

IT HAS AFFECTED RETAILERS.

THE MALL CAN SEEM UNDER SIEGE A LOT OF THE TIME.

I MEAN, PEOPLE HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT IT MAKES THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO HAVE A FAMILY EXPERIENCE AT THE MALL OR SOMEWHERE ELSE WHEN A LOT OF THAT ACTIVITY IS GOING ON.

>> WE'VE SEEN IT.

I HAVE SEEN IT PERSONALLY AND CALLED IT OUT AND THE STAFF GOES, THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO.

WE CAN'T ACT AS OUR CORPORATE POLICY.

MAYBE THERE NEEDS TO BE A LAW CHANGE ABOUT INSULATING THE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR AS LONG AS THEY DO EVERYTHING CORRECTLY UNDER THE LAW THEY ARE NOT GOING BE PROSECUTED OR SOME IMMUNITY THERE THAT THEY CAN TAKE ACTION APPROPRIATELY.

LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT, USE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF FORCE NEEDED TO GET THEIR PROPERTY BACK, TO PUT SOMEONE UNDER CITIZEN'S ARREST.

>> YEAH.

>> THERE IS SOME KIND OF IMMUNITY SO THEY CAN TAKE ACTION.

>> DO SOMETHING.

WE HAVE ABOUT 90 SECONDS LEFT.

I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU MORE TIME.

THIS WEEK YOU STOPPED AN ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

>> YES.

>> THERE WAS A SUICIDE EARLIER IN THE YEAR.

>> YES.

>> I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THAT DEBATE, BUT CAN YOU TALK ABOUT BEING THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE JAIL AND WHAT YOU DO TO PREVENT THAT KIND OF THING FROM HAPPENING.

>> SURE.

6,000 BOOKINGS A YEAR, AVERAGE POPULATION 270 PEOPLE.

THINGS ARE GOING HAPPEN IN THE FACILITY.

43% RECEIVING MEDICATION, THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> MENTAL ILLNESS IS CONSTANTLY ON OUR MIND.

WE GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE US WITH INFORMATION THAT WE CAN HELP SUPPORT THEM.

>> MM-HMM.

>> WHEN SOMEONE DOES COMMIT SUICIDE IN THE FACILITY, IT IS HEARTBREAKING.

>> SURE.

>> OUR CORRECTION OFFICERS DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE, THEY SEE THEM, EMPATHIZE WE THEM AND SEE THAT ACTION WHEN YOU WALK BY SOMEONE'S CELL AND SEE THEM HANGING THE REACTION YOU GET.

>> YEAH.

>> IT IS VERY TRAUMATIC.

AND TO TRY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SAVE THEM.

WE ARE LUCKY WE SAVED ONE RECENTLY.

WE ARE VERY, VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DID NOT SAVE ONE EARLIER IN THE YEAR.

AND IT WEIGHS ON US.

WE LOOK AT THOSE THINGS CRITICALLY.

ALL OF THEM.

IN-CUSTODY DEATH OR INCIDENT, WE WANT TO LEARN FROM EVERY TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS AND SEE IF WE CAN DO ANYTHING AS FAR AS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT TO HELP THE INMATE.

WAS THERE MEDICATION WE COULD HAVE GIVEN?

WAS THERE MENTAL HEALTH, YOU KNOW, TREATMENT WE COULD HAVE PROVIDED, ANYTHING TO HELP.

>> WE ARE OUT OF