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Capt.
Bruce J. Pollack
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Pitchess
Detention Center North Facility is a maximum security complex
capable of housing 1,500 inmates. The facility's current population
is pre-sentenced and sentenced male inmates with security
levels ranging from low to high. The inmate housing area consists
of four individual concrete modules each containing four dormitory
style living quarters, eight disciplinary cells, a multipurpose
room, a medical center, a visiting center, and three security
stations. Each dormitory has the capacity to house 96 inmates.
The dormitories were designed with the intention of creating
a safe and secure, self-contained living environment. Each
dormitory has a sleeping area, dining area, which also doubles
as a day-room, and restroom facilities. Each dormitory has
access to an exercise yard.
Constructed
in 1987 at a cost of $41,000,000.00, the facility originally
operated under South Facility's command. Exactly four years
later, North Facility experienced its first, of several, major
operational changes. In October 1991, North Facility gained
independence from South Facility when it was assigned a unit
commander and operations staff, and became a separate unit.
Since 1991, many operational changes have taken place. The
most recent change occurred in November 2001, the date marking
the curtailment of South Facility. As a result of the curtailment,
North Facility immediately inherited control of the Ranch
field operations, and the unit commander was given the task
to plan and implement the reopening of South Facility. South
Facility, now known as North Annex, reopened in the summer
of 2002.
North Annex is a medium security compound which houses sentenced
low and medium inmates. The compound's primary function is
to house inmate workers. An inmate worker is classified by
their security level and a history of good behavior within
the jail system. Once identified, they are interviewed, and
if deemed suitable, given the opportunity to learn a vocational
skill which can earn them good-time credit, and more importantly,
provide them with the knowledge, confidence, and job experience
needed to compete in the job world once they are released
from custody. Examples of vocational classes offered are wood-working,
gardening, nursery and vineyard operations, painting, and
masonry. North Annex also houses the kitchen and laundry inmate
work crews.
Both North
Facility and North Annex offer inmates religious services,
jail stores, school programs, substance abuse meetings, medical
services, inmate services, and weekend and holiday visitation.
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