Publications

In this audit, we reviewed the department’s classification process to screen incarcerated people for escape risk and observed physical security layouts and protocols for incarcerated people counts. We reviewed documentation on select escapes that occurred between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, from minimum-support facilities and conservation camps—the only locations with reported escapes during the audit period. We also assessed both the security recommendations made by managers at affected facilities and the corrective action taken to address the escapes.

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During September 2024, the OIG’s Centralized Screening Monitoring Team monitored and closed 876 grievances. This document presents 12 notable cases monitored and closed by the OIG during September 2024.

During September 2024, the OIG’s Local Inquiry Team closed 49 monitored inquiries. Of those 49 inquiries, the OIG monitored 16 inquiries contemporaneously and monitored 33 inquiries retrospectively. The summaries that follow present 12 notable inquiries the OIG monitored and closed during September 2024.

This report summarizes the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s performance in conducting internal investigations and handling employee discipline cases we monitored and closed from January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024. Of the 197 cases we monitored and closed in this time period, we rated 31 cases sufficient, 101 sufficient with recommendations, and 65 cases insufficient.

The Office of the Inspector General (the OIG), as part of our statute, maintains an Intake Processing Unit that receives complaints from the incarcerated population and the public. Staff in the Intake Processing Unit respond to complaints that the OIG receives through U.S. Postal mail, phone calls (toll-free hotline), and inquiries through our website, which can exceed 800 claims a month. Below are eight complaints that the Intake Processing Unit reviewed and closed as of August 2024. These cases highlight the OIG’s impact and efforts to resolve the complainant’s concerns.

This Sentinel Case involves a male correctional administrator who allegedly made multiple derogatory and obscene comments to subordinate female staff and engaged in behaviors that violated the department’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and sexual harassment policies. The administrator also attempted to solicit information that concerned EEO complaints filed against him and intimidated a manager whom he supervised after the manager’s colleague had reported the administrator’s alleged misconduct. The hiring authority dismissed the administrator. However, without sufficient justification, the department subsequently entered into a settlement agreement with the administrator demoting him to a correctional officer position and suspending him for 11 months.

As part of the Office of the Inspector General’s statutory authority, we monitor the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s performance and compliance with the use of force at its 33 prisons, parole operations, and Office of Correctional Safety. This document presents two notable use-of-force incidents that the Field Investigations Monitoring Unit closed during August 2024.

During August 2024, the OIG’s Centralized Screening Monitoring Team monitored and closed 702 grievances. This document presents eight notable cases monitored and closed by the OIG during August 2024.

During August 2024, the OIG’s Local Inquiry Team closed 26 monitored inquiries. Of those 26 inquiries, the OIG monitored six inquiries contemporaneously and monitored 20 inquiries retrospectively. The summaries that follow present seven notable inquiries the OIG monitored and closed during August 2024.