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As it has been for years, the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office continues to be understaffed, operates with an inadequate communications system and has a non ADA-compliant jail intake reception area, according to the 2025-26 Civil Grand Jury report.
The civil grand jury is convened annually and composed of 19 citizens who are sworn to serve as grand jurors and investigate the operations of various government departments and agencies.
According to the report, the Sheriff’s Office is experiencing staff shortages of both correctional officers, who operate the San Benito County jail, and deputies who conduct patrol operations. It’s been a recurring finding in Civil Grand Jury reports over the past several years.
Concerning jail operations, the report states the shortage of correctional officers results in just one deputy transporting inmates to and from the San Benito County Superior Court. The grand jury recommended that the department develop a policy that requires a minimum of two correctional officers to transport inmates.
Though the grand jury’s report says it’s “evident that our correctional officers and patrol deputies are stretched thin,” it doesn’t identify how many more law enforcement officials are needed to reach acceptable levels. It notes the department has 31 correctional officers and 29 patrol deputies, including two K-9 officers, and seven staff who are on medical or administrative leave.
According to the county website, the jail has an inmate population average of 100 persons at any given time.
To address staffing, the grand jury report recommends the county provide retention incentives or other programs for existing officers.
In its finding about the Sheriff’s Office’s communication system, the grand jury said its radios have limited range and are inadequate. The report notes deputies on many occasions use personal cell phones to communicate.
In February, BenitoLink reported that the Sheriff’s Office had acquired a new system and was switching into the state’s network. At that time, Sheriff Eric Taylor said he estimated it would take at least a month to switch. He also acknowledged deputies have voiced concerns about the communication system for over a decade.
The grand jury also inspected the jail facilities and found the main building has limited lighting and uneven floors. It also found the shower in the newest building, known as the Curtis J. Hill Rehabilitation Center, does not comply with ADA standards.
The report states that the center, which serves as an extension to the jail, continues to be vacant because of a lack of staffing.
In addition, the grand jury said it reviewed a report by the Board of State and Community Corrections dated Feb. 26, 2026, which found that incarcerated persons were held in sobering cells longer than 12 hours without hourly safety checks.
While it did not provide details about the state report, the grand jury said it agrees with the recommendations the Sheriff’s Office submitted to the state and suggested implementing them within six months.
San Benito County and the Sheriff’s Office are required to respond to the report within 90 days of its issuance.
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