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Approve the Board of Supervisors’ response to the FY2025/2026 Civil Grand Jury Report of June 15, 2026, entitled, “Save Over $10 Million by Closing Claybank Jail”
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve the Board of Supervisors’ response to the FY2025/2026 Civil Grand Jury Report of June 15, 2026, entitled, “Save Over $10 Million by Closing Claybank Jail.”
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On June 15, 2026, the Solano County Civil Grand Jury issued a report entitled, “Save Over $10 Million by Closing Claybank Jail.” The Civil Grand Jury examined the operations, staffing, occupancy and costs of the Solano County Sheriff’s Office Custody Division and the County’s three detention facilities, with a focus on opportunities to reduce operating and capital costs amid declining inmate populations and available jail capacity.
As part of its review, the Civil Grand Jury examined County budgets, the Capital Facilities Improvement Program (CFIP), jail occupancy and staffing data, and other state and local information. The review included approximately $13.4 million in capital projects identified for the Claybank facility, Custody Division staffing levels, potential use of available jail beds to generate revenue, and the need for an outside review of Custody Division costs and operations.
The Civil Grand Jury investigation found that Claybank had a relatively low inmate occupancy rate and questioned planned capital investments at the facility. The report also raised concerns regarding staffing levels, unused jail capacity and the absence of an outside financial review. Recommendations included closing Claybank, reassigning inmates and security staff, evaluating alternative uses for the facility, reducing staffing through attrition and a hiring freeze, leasing available jail beds and conducting an independent review of Custody Division costs.
Since the Civil Grand Jury completed its review, the Sheriff’s Office opened the Behavioral Health Unit at the Justice Center Detention Facility, relocated the remaining incarcerated population from Claybank to Stanton Correctional Facility and reassigned Claybank security staff to other custody operations. Claybank’s housing units remain unoccupied; however, its kitchen continues to provide food service for all County jail facilities. The Sheriff’s Office is also initiating an independent full-cost analysis of the daily jail-bed rate to compare Solano County’s costs with four other counties and identify opportunities for improved efficiency.
The Civil Grand Jury report contains four (4) findings and seven (7) corresponding recommendations. The Board of Supervisors is required to respond to Findings 1 and 4 and associated Recommendations 1A through 1C and 4A through 4B. The Board of Supervisors’ proposed response is set forth in Attachment A - Response to the Grand Jury Report of June 15, 2026: “Save Over $10 Million by Closing Claybank Jail.” Copies of Grand Jury reports are available upon request from the Clerk of the Board or may be viewed on the Civil Grand Jury section of the Solano County Superior Court website.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost of preparing this report is nominal and is included in the County Administrator’s FY2026/27 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose to disagree with the recommended responses and direct staff to prepare a different or more elaborate response to the Civil Grand Jury.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s Office coordinated with the Sheriff’s Office to develop portions of the Board of Supervisors’ response to the Civil Grand Jury. The Sheriff’s Office also submitted a separate response, as required by statute, on August 15, 2026.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION