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Santa Cruz County inmates describe paths out of jail

Santa Cruz Sentinel - 5/1/2017

May 01--SANTA CRUZ -- Computer literacy. Knitting and crocheting.

Community college courses. And anger-management classes.

Inmates who show promise of rehabilitation and progress have such options if they overcome the loud, packed Santa Cruz Main Jail -- a confine at the 200 block of Water Street where programs are less dominant than the campus-like Rountree Medium Facility in Watsonville.

During a recent visit to Rountree, it was quiet despite the bustle of activity.

The posters of local scenery and supply of natural light reduced the industrial feel of a concrete jail. Unlike main jail, where the inmates sleep during the day, the bunks were empty. When the Sentinel interviewed the men and women housed at Rountree, they had optimism about new skills acquired through those programs and petitioned for more subjects to be offered.

"This has become our program facility," Chief Deputy Steve Carney said after a visit during a parenting program for a group of fathers in jumpsuits -- all trying to get a chance to talk about what they like about the course. "Having guys saying that in front of their peer group, that's big."

The course is called PAPÁS, Spanish for fathers. It teaches support, education and networking for fathers or father figures, said Cynthia Chase, the Corrections Bureau program coordinator at the sheriff's office. The idea is to strengthen families and promoting healthy communities.

One man said that during his first class he learned about resources available in and out of jail. Another man said he is a grandfather and wishes he had access to such information. Yet another man, who said he is actually getting things done through the programs, has served time in other counties that don't have such a variety of applicable services. A 37-year-old man in the class was so excited, he blurted out the fact he just received his high school diploma, which is the result of a different program.

There are 61 programs offered at the main jail, Rountree and the Blaine Street Women's Facility, according to information from the sheriff's office.

Rountree, which is rated for 96 occupants, had 70 people -- 48 men and 22 women -- on April 20 during the tour by the Sentinel. Five officers work the facility during the day with one supervising sergeant. There are five officers working there at night.

Lt. Paul Ramos said the facility is working to improve a variety of services that improve re-entry upon release to curb recidivism.

"I think we do good things here," Ramos said. "You can get away from that 'inmate' term here."

The detention officers dress differently: with polo shirts instead of button-downs, to enable a casual feel.

"Little things like this go a long way," Ramos said. "People behave differently depending on the environment they're in."

In the women's unit, a guitar hung on a wall near a table tennis set in the middle of a large, open room. A group of women watched TV while others participated in a class. The women watching TV stopped to talk about their experiences at Rountree.

Santa Cruz native Jill Zunino was charged in March with providing a false identity to a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records. Zunino said she has been in and out of local jail for decades. She spent time in custody at Blaine Street's minimum-security facility when it opened in 1984. She had just arrived to Rountree during the tour April 20.

Zunino said she was the victim of physical violence herself but hopes program participation can help her overcome post-traumatic stress.

"I'm ready to do this," Zunino said. "I'm not coming back."

Matthews said her colleagues have been trying to get Zunino into Rountree for a long time, to which Zunino started to cry. She tried to hug Matthews, who said that is against the rules.

"I'm hugging you inside," Zunino told Matthews.

Mary Moreno, who was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, was outspoken about the need for help to prevent recurring jail visits.

"Don't just give people a bus pass when they're released," Moreno said. "We need more than just friends on the outside."

She also said she does not want to come back to jail.

"And we don't want you to come back," Matthews said.

Moreno said most counties don't have the programs offered in Santa Cruz County.

In an effort to increase services, construction is on schedule for the minimum-security Rehabilitation and Re-entry Facility next to Rountree, Carney said. The nearly $25 million project started in September and is slated to open in December or January.

The 16,000-square-foot facility will house 64 inmates with semi-private bunks and a large dayroom, according to information from the sheriff's office.

Footings and forms are being installed as are the forms for the living area and visitation center, Carney said.

"It's going to provide us the opportunity to offer another level of programming in the least-restrictive environment for them," Carney said.

He said inmates are case-managed through the system to determine whether they qualify for such a setting.

"It's like a continuum of care," Carney said. "We tell them, 'Here's what you need to do. We're going to provide you with the services to get you need. Then, it's up to you to get there.' "

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(c)2017 the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Scotts Valley, Calif.)

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