Gilroy
– A new grand jury report urges county officials to double the
sentences of juveniles remanded to the William F. James Boys Ranch
and make significant investments in staff and security, including
round-the-clock sheriff’s deputy coverage.
Gilroy – A new grand jury report urges county officials to double the sentences of juveniles remanded to the William F. James Boys Ranch and make significant investments in staff and security, including round-the-clock sheriff’s deputy coverage.
The Santa Clara County Grand Jury report was released Tuesday, the same day county supervisors voted to spend $890,000 to erect a fence around ranch buildings, and signals that a fence alone will not ease tensions between the ranch and the community of housing developments surrounding it.
“We’re satisfied with the fence, but we hope they don’t scale back security,” said Cherie Bourlard, who lives near the ranch. “We don’t care about increased patrols in the neighborhood, but we do want a 24-hour patrol on the grounds. That would make us feel safer.”
In addition to endorsing a perimeter fence around the 27-acre compound and the now-scrapped plan to install a GPS surveillance system, the report directs the board of supervisors to fund a number of security enhancements that county officials say may prove difficult to pay for. County Executive Pete Kutras said Wednesday that he’s taken the suggestions “to heart, but I’m not ready to say yea or nay to any of them.”
“Whether or not we keep or add a sheriff’s deputy, whether or not we add staff all depends on how the fence works and how the programs work,” Kutras said. “It’s balance of security and rehabilitation and I’m not going to pay for sheriff’s deputies I don’t need if we need to be putting money into rehabilitation.”
Supervisor Don Gage echoed Kutras’ comments on budget constraints but added that Chief Probation Officer Sheila Mitchell and her staff are already exploring changes recommended by the grand jury, including adopting facets of the so-called “Missouri model” of juvenile justice, which incorporates intensive counseling and after-care programs involving parents, teachers and probation staff.
“If we have the money we’ll do it, if we don’t we won’t,” Gage said of adding programs and staff to the ranch. “But let me tell you, the fence is going to keep them in. It’s not like they’re going to get allies to come and throw a ladder over the fence for them.”
Gage said that one of the first major changes at the ranch will likely be a lengthening of sentences in concert with a curriculum that wards must complete before they’re released.
“We’re talking about keeping them there up to six months and they have to complete the program or they won’t get out,” he said. “Sheila is working on all of these things.”
Mitchell was out of the office Wednesday and unavailable for comment.
Bourlard said the grand jury report does not address the biggest concern of many of her neighbors – that the ranch not house serious and violent offenders.
“I’m extremely concerned that juvenile judges will continue to send the wrong types of offenders there,” she said.
Ranch wards are between 15 and 18 years old and are sentenced to 120-day terms. Nearly a third of the 1,068 boys sent to the ranch since 2000 have been convicted of a “serious crime against people,” a category that includes assault with a deadly weapon. The ranch has housed arsonists, car thieves and boys convicted of date rape and committing lewd acts with children younger than 14. The ranch has averaged more than one escape per week in that time.
Tensions surfaced in the neighborhood after a series of escapes last fall. The community was outraged after a gang fight in January led to four escapes. Residents have complained that they often see ranch wards running through their yards and neighborhood parks.
In community meetings, county officials promised to step up security and install the electronic surveillance system. They decided to build a fence after tests proved the GPS system inadequate.
There were no escapes in February, and only two in March, but 11 wards ran away in April. In response to those escapes, two additional probation security staff were added to the graveyard shift. Also, the sheriff’s office has assigned a graveyard shift deputy patrol (K-9 unit) for security.
The 12-foot high, 4,000-foot chain-link fence will be built around ranch buildings and a recreation area and not around the perimeter of the 50-year-old ranch on Malaguerra Avenue. It should be in place by September.
The grand jury report is not binding, but the board of supervisors must make a formal response. In 1994, the grand jury also recommended that a fence be built around the ranch. At that time, the ranch was operated by the county court system. The probation department has been in charge of the ranch for just more than a year.
Improving security
Grand jury recommends:
• Perimeter fence
• Hold public outreach meetings
• Additional patrols by county sheriff’s deputies
• Secure funding to add treatment programs
• Additional funding for staff training
• Double sentences to 240-day terms
