Cmf
April 27, 2012
Employees’ children learn about work day at state prisons in Vacaville
More than 60 youngsters experienced an up-close look at prison life Thursday at California Medical Facility during the yearly celebration of Bring Your Child To Work Day.
Joining thousands of workplaces across the country, the outer grounds of the prison were teeming with the children of staff from both CMF and neighboring California State Prison-Solano. The children met with CMF Warden Vimal J. Singh before beginning a host of activities ranging from examinations of contraband items and cell searches to demonstrations by CSP-Solano's
K-9 unit and a visit to CMF's fire department to see how the Jaws of Life work. A bike raffle followed...
LINK - TimesHeraldOnline.com
April 21, 2012
CMF cell phone issue concerns grand jurors
California Medical Facility in Vacaville should have a plan to control unauthorized use of cell phones among inmates, the Solano grand jury recommended in a report issued Friday.
The jury, which regularly reviews and reports on various government institutions, said its concern is that inmates' can use unauthorized cell phones for illegal purposes which poses a threat to staff and inmate safety, according to the report.
"CMF staff stated there is a problem with cell phones being smuggled in by staff members and vendors for inmates' illegal use," the report noted...
LINK - TheReporter.com
February 13, 2012
Specialized care for inmates at Vacaville’s California Medical Facility
In a long-awaited move to comply with state guidelines, dozens gathered at California Medical Facility on Thursday to celebrate the opening of a new facility on the Vacaville prison's grounds, a move that officials say will not only increase inmate capacity, but may save a number of jobs.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new mental health care facility, followed by a tour of the pristine 64-bed unit, its dining halls, nurses stations, examination rooms and safety holding cells gave visitors an up-close and personal look of the end result of a $33.7 million project almost two years in the making...
LINK - TheReporter.com
October 14, 2011
Killers of CMF Officer sentenced to LWOP today
The brothers Gary and Chong Vue each were sentenced today to life terms without parole for the Oct. 15, 2008, shooting death of state correctional officer Steve Lo in the garage of his south Sacramento home.
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Steve White gave Gary Vue another 20 years for his personal use of a firearm in the killing of the 39-year-old victim.
The judge remanded both defendants to Minnesota to serve their sentences there first for their previous convictions in a 2001 gang murder in Minneapolis...
LINK - SacBee.com
June 23, 2011
Solano Grand Jury report on CMF, Solano (inmate rehab program cuts, etc.)
Following an inspection of the county's two prisons, the Solano County grand jury stated Wednesday that more could be done to reduce recidivism rates.
The grand jury's findings were published in a 10-plus page report after multiple visits to the county's two prison facilities, California State Medical Facility and California State Prison-Solano.
In its inquiry, the grand jury found that funding cuts to re-entry programs offered by the prisons have reduced the opportunities for inmates to learn skills that could help reduce the likelihood that they will re-offend and again land behind bars. To remedy the problem, the grand jury recommended the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) evaluate the programs it offers to inmates and redirect funding to those with the most impact on recidivism...
LINK - TheReporter.com
January 13, 2011
Vacaville City Council supports AB 900 re-entry facility on grounds of CMF
In other matters, the council voted 4 to 0 to support the building of an inmate re-entry facility on state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation grounds near the California Medical Facility. Councilman Mitch Mashburn recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest.
Thus far, two sites have been proposed. Costs at either location reportedly are comparable. While prison officials preferred one location due to better accessibility, the council was divided...
LINK - TheReporter.com
November 4, 2010
AB 900 Construction Update
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a historic and comprehensive corrections overhaul bill on May 3, 2007. The bipartisan legislation, Assembly Bill 900 (Solorio; D-Anaheim), addresses health care space deficiencies and overcrowding in California’s prisons and provides resources to improve public safety by reducing the rates at which inmates re-victimize communities and return to prison. AB 900 authorized more than $7 billion in funding for state prison projects, reentry facilities and local jail beds to ease the overcrowding in California’s prisons and local jails. It provides resources to improve public safety by reducing recidivism rates. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has started construction on three projects. Several more are in the planning phase...
December 12, 2009
Suspect in killing of CMF officer convicted of murder in Minnesota
One of four defendants accused in the shooting death of a California prison guard in Sacramento has been convicted of another murder in Minnesota.
A Hennepin County District Court jury returned the verdict Thursday against Gary Vue, 28.
His older brother, former Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy Chu Vue, 44, is accused of arranging the Oct. 15, 2008, Sacramento slaying of correctional officer Steve Lo…
LINK - SacBee.com
August 5, 2009
CMF Inmate Found Dead After Fight
An inmate at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville died Tuesday after a fight with his cellmate.
Nexter Sedillo, 50, and his cellmate fought at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations spokeswoman Terry Thornton said.
Medical staff responded but Sedillo was pronounced dead at 12:59 p.m., Thornton said…
LINK - CBS5.com Local Wire
October 17, 2008
Deputy Placed On Leave In Prison Guard Murder Case
A Sacramento County Sheriff's department deputy, Chu Vue, has been placed on administrative leave while he is being investigated in connection with the shooting death of correctional officer Steven Lo, according to sources.
The Sacramento Sheriff's Department is not commenting on the case, saying it is not within their jurisdiction.
Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy, Chu Vue's daughter says Sac PD Crime Scene investigators showed up at his Elk Grove home the night of the shooting…
LINK - CBS13.com
October 16, 2008
Sacramento Deputy Under Investigation in Officer’s Murder
Law enforcement sources confirmed to News10 Thursday that police investigators were looking into a Sacramento County sheriff's deputy in connection with the murder of a state prison correctional officer gunned down in front of his Sacramento home Wednesday.
The sources told News10 a search warrant was served at the home of the veteran deputy, who reportedly works at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center in south Sacramento. His locker at work was also searched as part of the investigation into the killing of Steve Lo early Wednesday morning.
The possible motive in Lo's killing is said to be a "personal relationship" that may have become an issue between the two men…
LINK - News10.net (News 10 Sacramento)
May 23, 2008
Report praises prison facilities, programs
A Solano County Grand Jury report released this week regarding Vacaville's two prisons commended both facilities for their inmate programs and suggested that both expand their offerings.
At California State Prison, Solano, grand jurors found that the Prison Industry Authority program, which gives inmates career skills in various trades, benefits inmates during and after their incarceration. They recommended growing the program. Jurors also commended the facility for its local outreach programs and recommended expanding them throughout Solano County.
At California Medical Facility, the grand jury found that, despite being near inmate capacity, operations are being handled well. Still, they suggested that the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation work toward increasing the prison's size…
LINK - TheReporter.com
May 10, 2008
Prisons, police join forces
When two minimum-security inmates escaped from the California Medical Facility in March, Vacaville residents sounded off about what they called inadequate notification efforts.
Since then, officials at CMF, California State Prison, Solano and the Vacaville Police Department have joined forces to improve public safety efforts in the event of future escapes. And in the past week, prison officials have distributed fliers throughout the community explaining new joint escape protocols.
"We took this issue seriously," emphasized CMF Warden Mike Knowles, at a meeting Wednesday of the Citizen's Advisory Committee, a panel of community leaders that meets six times a year to discuss prison matters.
CSP, Solano Warden D.K. Sisto added that the writing of the new protocols has been beneficial for all…
LINK - TheReporter.com (The Vacaville Reporter)
March 24, 2008
Escape from CMF spurs hunt: 2 minimum security inmates discovered missing during bed check
Two inmates from the California Medical Facility, Vacaville, escaped Saturday night and are currently still at large.
Juan F. Lopez, 28, and Gonzalo Ortega, 33, were discovered missing from CMF's Minimum Support Facility at 9:25 p.m., said Sgt. Dionne Hudnall, CMF public information officer.Lopez and Ortega were both accounted for at 8 p.m. when correctional officers conducted a head count in the minimum security area near the back of the facility known as "The Ranch." Hudnall said inmates in that location were allowed to be in a common area at that time, using telephones or in their bed areas. The two men were discovered missing a short time later when a bed check was conducted, Hudnall said.
Upon finding the inmates missing, CMF officials activated the escape-pursuit plan, which includes sounding the escape horn and contacting local law enforcement agencies. The Vacaville Police Department then activated an automated phone service that contacts residents in nearby areas and alerts them of the incident…
LINK - TheReporter.com (The Vacaville Reporter)
