Santa Clara County: Federal report spreads blame for jail problems

Source: San Jose Mercury News

SAN JOSE -- In a report released Monday, the National Institute of Corrections faults Santa Clara County's troubled jails for deficient supervision, inadequate staffing, outdated training and a flawed promotion process.

The report is more measured in tone than recent, scathing assessments by the citizens jail-improvement commission and its two consultants, which largely blamed Sheriff Laurie Smith and her administration for the problems. Instead, the two peace officers who wrote the report for the institute, which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Justice, echo many of the concerns the guards' union has long expressed, particularly about staffing, training and promotions.

The new assessment could lend those complaints more legitimacy -- and a better chance of being fixed.

"The jail is not broken, but it does need a serious tuneup," the report states, adding, "We are confident there is no systemic use of excessive force."

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