In Re Smith

Statement of the Case

Petitioners James Odra Smith (Smith), Richard William Brown (Brown) and Johnny Clark Russell (Russell) (collectively referred to as petitioners) seek a writ of mandate to compel the Sheriff of Ventura County to allow child visitation and receipt of reading materials from sources other than publishers in branch facilities of the Ventura County jail. Russell’s petition was consolidated with that of Brown and Smith for purposes of disposition.

Facts

Petitioners are pretrial detainees, persons confined while awaiting trial because they cannot post bail.

Twenty percent of the pretrial detainees at the Oxnard facility of the Ventura County jail remain in custody for more than 90 days. Seven percent of the pretrial detainees at the Oxnard facility of the Ventura County jail remain in custody for more than 90 days. Seven percent of the pretrial detainees at the Ojai Honor Farm branch facility stay in custody in excess of 90 days. Using a one-year base period of May 1, 1979, to April 30, 1980, the percentage and number of pretrial detainees in custody at the Ojai Honor Farm was: more than 60 days but less than 90 days—8 percent or 22, and more than 90…