OIG Newsletter #10/December 2024 - January 2025

A message from the Inspector General, Terry Wiley

Dear San Francisco, 

As announced at the last public board meeting, I will be resigning as Inspector General, effective January 10, 2025. When I took on this role, my primary goal was to establish a new, fully functional department. However, I quickly discovered that actions by the former president of the Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board (SDOB), who has since stepped down, had significantly hindered the department's development prior to my tenure. These actions left the Office of the Inspector General’s budget vulnerable to recurring cuts. By the time I assumed the role, funding had been so severely reduced that I was unable to hire any staff during my first year. 

Given San Francisco's ongoing budget challenges, particularly amid an unprecedented deficit, it is unlikely these financial constraints will improve in the near future. Consequently, I have made the decision to step down from this position and will begin a new chapter as a judge with the Alameda Superior Court later this month.

As I prepare for this transition, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the many individuals committed to advancing meaningful oversight of the San Francisco Sheriff's Office. Your dedication to improving conditions for inmates, their families, and jail staff, as well as fostering accountability and trust between law enforcement and the community, has been truly inspiring.

Special thanks go to Board President Julie Soo, Vice-President Dion-Jay Brookter, and former Vice-President Xochitl Carrion for your outstanding leadership and steadfast support. To Board Members Ovava Afuhaamango, William Palmer, and Michael Nguyen, I deeply appreciate your insights and thoughtful contributions.

I am also grateful to Sheriff Paul Miyamoto and his command staff, particularly Chief of Staff Richard Jue and Deputy Chief James Quanico, for your responsiveness and support. My heartfelt thanks to Board Secretary Dan Leung, who, as the OIG’s sole staff member, has skillfully managed multiple responsibilities, ensuring both the OIG and SDOB remained organized and efficient.

To the San Francisco community members who participated in our meetings and town halls, thank you for your active engagement and unwavering commitment to a safer, more just, and humane criminal justice system. Your voices are vital to creating meaningful change for everyone touched by this system—from inmates and their families to the dedicated jail staff.

Finally, I extend my deepest gratitude to Director Paul Henderson and the incredible team at the Department of Police Accountability (DPA)—Marshall Khine, Brent Begin, Vince Vila, Sharis Lau, and Nicole Armstrong. Your expertise and dedication in supporting the OIG during a time of limited resources have been exceptional. I leave this position deeply impressed by the quality of DPA’s work and confident in the department’s continued success.

Happy New Year! May 2025 bring you and your families joy, good health, and great achievements. My warmest wishes to Mayor-Elect Lurie as he guides San Francisco toward its flourishing and innovative future.

Best regards,

-Terry Wiley

Association of Inspector Generals

From November 13th to 15th, I attended the Association of Inspectors General Annual Training Conference in New Orleans. The training focused on the "Art of Oversight," offering a fresh perspective on the necessary agility, diversity, and mastery required of oversight professionals navigating dynamic landscapes. It featured more than 65 distinguished speakers representing federal, state, city, county, and nonprofit organizations.

County Jail 3 Visit

On November 19, 2024, I brought my team to County Jail 3 for our monthly jail inspection. Once again, our visit greatly benefited from the support of Chief Jue and Chief Deputy Quanico, whose facilitation ensured an informative experience. Board President Soo and Board Member Palmer joined us, offering valuable insights. Congratulations to Captain Shannon on his recent promotion to captain of CJ 3. We were excited to learn about his vision for leading the Sheriff’s largest jail facility and look forward to working with him. 

Upon arrival, we learned of an incident involving an inmate assaulting a deputy. We extend our wishes for the deputy’s speedy recovery. In the past, such incidents might have triggered a significant lockdown and led to the cancellation of our visit. However, thanks to the proactive leadership of Chief Quanico and Captain Shannon, restrictions were minimized, allowing the tour to proceed without disruption.

Discussions and Improvements

During the visit, we engaged in a productive discussion with the CJ 3 command staff and board members on several key topics:

• Jail Programming: While programming levels remain below pre-pandemic levels, the 5 Keys Charter School has expanded its capacity this year, increasing from one pod to two. However, initiatives like Roads to Recovery and Resolve to Stop the Violence continue to lag behind and require additional resources.
• Outdoor Space and Sunlight: Chief Quanico shared plans to enhance inmate access to outdoor areas and natural light at CJ 3.
• Orientation Video: Chief Quanico outlined his plans to create a jail orientation video to ensure inmates understand the available jail resources and services, as well as how to access them.
• Other Ideas: Our board members offered additional innovative programming ideas. President Soo proposed a service dog training program. Chief Quanico noted that there were previous plans to start a service dog training program, but those efforts had stalled. Board Member Palmer suggested an incarceration coach program to provide inmates with additional support. 

Facility Operations

The inspection included a close look at laundry and food operations:

• Laundry Operations: We learned about the processes for clothing exchange and bedding rotation. Staff explained their use of three massive washers (one of which is currently awaiting repairs) and five industrial dryers. These dryers can reach temperatures so high that they pose a risk of combusting the fabric!
• Kitchen Operations: The inspection continued in the kitchen, where inmate food workers prepared meals in clean and well-organized conditions. We observed all workers wearing protective gear to prevent food contamination. Inmates gain valuable food preparation skills through their participation in the IN2WORK program offered by the food vendor, Aramark. This program provides training, certification, internships, scholarships, and employment search assistance. For their hard work, inmate workers are allowed to create meals of their choice using available ingredients three times a week. The kitchen Lead gave us an in-depth overview of operations, demonstrating extensive knowledge of the facility. 
• We also met the religious meals coordinator, who highlighted challenges in maintaining consistent Imam support for Halal diets. Board Member Palmer volunteered to help find solutions to this issue. Additionally, the team shared their plans for preparing the Thanksgiving meal for the inmates.

Inmate Engagement

We prioritized direct interaction with inmates, focusing on Pod 6A, where we met with over 50 individuals. I began the session by introducing Senior Investigator Brent Begin, who was available to receive private complaints from inmates uncomfortable sharing in a group setting. I also announced plans to host video conferencing office hours for private one-on-one discussions.

Most inmates shared their concerns openly in the group setting, while a few opted to speak privately with Senior Investigator Begin. These engagements provided valuable insights into inmate experiences and underscored the importance of maintaining direct communication.

The conversation was lively, with inmates appearing to empower one another through collective agreement. They nodded in unison, shared supportive comments, and added personal anecdotes to illustrate various issues.

Here are the most commonly and widely shared complaints:

• Lockdowns Feel Like Punishment:  Inmates reported that incidents occurring in other parts of the jail often triggered lockdowns in their pod. They felt the restrictions imposed during these lockdowns were punitive, despite their lack of involvement in the incidents.
• Programming Paperwork: Inmates expressed frustration that paperwork related to program enrollment, progress, and completion was not reaching their attorneys or the courts. This issue caused unnecessary delays in resolving their cases.
• Grievances Disappearing: Inmates complained that the paper grievances they filed often seemed to disappear without acknowledgment or follow-up.
• No Calls or Texts on Tablets: Inmates noted that their tablets lacked the capability to make calls or send texts, unlike tablets provided in other jail facilities.
• Confiscated Commissary Food: Inmates reported that when they were sent to “the hole” or Pod 2A for disciplinary action, the SFSO confiscated and discarded their commissary food. They argued that, as personal property they paid for, the food should not be discarded.
• Unsanitary Conditions: Inmates complained about unsanitary ventilation systems. They frequently observed layers of dark dust and debris particles being blown out of the air vents.
• Insufficient Visitation Capacity: Inmates expressed concerns about insufficient visitation capacity. The reservation system is often full, preventing family, friends, and loved ones from being able to visit.

We discussed these complaints with the command staff afterward and gained more insight into the reasons for the issues and the plans to address them. As usual, Chief Quanico demonstrated extensive knowledge of the issues, receptiveness to suggestions, and a responsive approach.

He explained that programming paperwork, such as proofs of enrollment, progress reports, and proofs of successful completion, is the responsibility of the program providers to submit to the courts. However, these providers have been short-staffed. We will follow up with the program providers to address this issue.

The SFSO is currently backlogged on processing paper grievances but is actively working to resolve the issue. Part of the backlog was caused by a cyber breach affecting the jail tablets, which previously allowed inmates to file grievances digitally. This breach rendered the tablets offline for weeks. The issue has since been resolved, and the SFSO is working through the backlog of grievances.

Regarding the tablets, the current service provider, Nucleos, has not enabled calling or texting capabilities. The contract is up for renewal soon, and the SFSO will explore other options. Chief Quanico acknowledged that tablets used in other facilities, such as those provided by GTL, include video visiting, phone, and messaging capabilities.

He clarified that non-perishable commissary food is not discarded when inmates are sent to “the hole” or Pod 2A for disciplinary action. Instead, it is logged and stored for the inmate. However, perishable items cannot be preserved and may need to be discarded.

The ventilation system remains a challenge due to the age of the facilities. Chief Quanico noted that efforts would be made to explore options for cleaning the system or adding filters.

From the Jail Visiting Committee, we are aware of ongoing efforts to increase visitation capacity. Additionally, the SFSO is continually adjusting the scope of jail lockdowns to minimize their impact on uninvolved inmates while maintaining the safety and security of the facility and its occupants.

Jail Justice Coalition

At the end of November, we met with the Jail Justice Coalition to discuss ideas we can collaborate on to advance improvements for the jails. The ideas discussed include:

• Creating a working group to explore different food vendor options before the current Aramark contract is up for renewal to offer options and recommendations.
• Looking outside the current jail programs to identify new and innovative ideas for productively engaging inmates with training and treatment opportunities.
• Creating a digital jail-wide survey about jail conditions, leveraging the jail tablets to efficiently gather and tabulate data and prioritize areas for the most impactful improvements.

County Jail 2 Visit

On December 13, 2024, I conducted my final jail inspection as Inspector General. I want to thank Vice President Brookter and Board Member Palmer for joining me, as well as Undersheriff Johnson, Chief Jue, Deputy Chief Quanico, and Captain Collins for facilitating the visit and updating us on jail operations.

We spent time hearing from male, transgender, and nonbinary inmates in A-Pod and female inmates in B-Pod. I began the conversation by informing everyone that Senior Investigator Brent Begin was present to privately take any complaints that inmates did not feel comfortable sharing in a group setting. Collectively, the most common complaints we heard included the following:

• Insufficient Programming: Inmates expressed frustration with the limited programming available. Specifically, they requested more vocational programs, such as the Freedom Braiders Program, which taught hair braiding skills and business management to help inmates prepare for opportunities after release. Transgender and nonbinary inmates felt they had the least access to meaningful programming because of their smaller population.
• Lockdowns Significantly Impact Daily Life: Inmates acknowledged the necessity of lockdowns, particularly during staffing shortages, but felt that recurring month-to-month lockdowns were excessive. These lockdowns confined them to their bunk areas, limited their free time to two hours, and restricted access to phones, television, and showers.
• Lack of Guidance in Jails: Inmates found it challenging to navigate the jail system and requested more guidance on accessing resources.
• Lack of Shavers and Razors: Both male and female inmates reiterated complaints about inadequate access to shavers and razors for personal grooming.
• Poor Air Quality: As noted during prior visits, inmates at CJ 2 complained about poor air quality caused by unclean ventilation systems.
• No Access to Sunlight: Inmates at CJ 2 reported not having access to sunlight.
• Tablets Lack Features: Inmates criticized their tablets for lacking important features, such as phone or video calling, as well as for limited entertainment and online programming options.
• No Hot Water and Poor Water Pressure: Female inmates reported that their showers lacked hot water and had insufficient water pressure.

We met with the SFSO command staff to discuss these concerns and learn about their progress on addressing previous complaints. I am pleased to see that the SFSO is taking steps to address these issues:

• The jail is creating a new separate program pod for female inmates, addressing a major complaint from our last visit.
• CJ 3 will soon add an additional visit day. Starting in January, CJ 2 will have four visiting days, and CJ 3 will have three visiting days.
• The jails will introduce a new Juilliard music composition program and are exploring ways to expand other programming opportunities.
• Chief Quanico is developing a jail orientation video to help inmates navigate the jail system and access resources, as discussed during our last visit to CJ 3.
• Tablet features are being addressed, as the current Nucleos tablet contract is set to expire in about a year.
• To improve air quality, Captain Quanico is working on cleaning the ventilation system.
• While the court order requiring inmate access to sunlight currently applies only to CJ 3, the SFSO staff is working to improve sunlight access at CJ 2. However, due to CJ 2’s location in the middle of the city, outdoor space is severely limited.
• The commissary vendor’s contract will soon be up for renewal, and the SFSO is evaluating options to improve the availability and pricing of merchandise, which could help inmates access personal hygiene items.

Additionally, through the CalAIM program, CJ 2 plans to establish a discharge pharmacy to ensure that inmates are released with a three-day supply of necessary medication. The SFSO will employ court monitors to ensure the pharmacy is immediately notified of court release orders so prescriptions can be processed in time for release.

About

In 2020, San Francisco voters passed Supervisor Walton's Proposition D, which resulted in the formation of the Sheriff's Department Oversight Board and the Office of the Inspector General. The primary function of these entities is to provide independent oversight for the Sheriff's Office. On December 20, 2023, the board appointed Inspector General Wiley, who officially assumed his role on January 8, 2024.

We appreciate your patience and support as Inspector General Wiley builds the Office of the Inspector General to become operational. While the Inspector General seeks funds through the budget process to serve the people of San Francisco and deliver on the promise of Proposition D, the Department of Police Accountability will continue to provide independent investigations into complaints of serious misconduct against San Francisco Sheriff deputies and in-custody deaths pursuant to existing agreements.  

Please stay tuned for updates about the transition of this work.

San Francisco Office of the Inspector General website: www.sf.gov/sfoig