The Kern County Sheriff’s Office has established a Detentions Bureau Medical and Behavioral Health Section. This section controls the following units American with Disabilities Act Unit (ADA), Admission, Evaluation, Stabilization Center (AES), Inmate Stabilization and Assessment Team (ISAT) and Medical/ Behavioral Health Unit.

Under the umbrella of the Medical and Behavioral Health Section these units work in collaboration with Kern Behavioral Health, Medical staff, Recovery Solutions and other governmental agencies to provide medical and behavioral treatment.

AES

The AES Center is a Jail-Based Competency Treatment Program located in the H-Pod area of the Pre-Trial Facility. The program is a collaborative partnership between the Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Detention Deputies, the Department of State Hospitals, and Recovery Solutions. It serves incarcerated persons who have been found incompetent to stand trial and provides them with the necessary treatment and education to work toward legal competency.

While enrolled in the program, incarcerated persons are referred to as “patients.” The AES program focuses on stabilizing patients’ mental health and educating them about court processes in an effort to restore competency. It is a structured 90-day program; however, not all patients will achieve competency within this timeframe. Those who do not may be transferred to a State Hospital for a higher level of care. This program only serves male inmates.

EASS (Early Access Stabilization Services)

The Early Access Stabilization Services (EASS) program is an extension of the AES program. It serves county inmates who are beginning the court competency process, providing them with early access to psychiatric evaluation and medication management prior to formal admission into the AES program.

In some cases, participation in the EASS program may help inmates achieve competency before transitioning to AES, reducing the need for further intensive treatment.

ADA Compliance Unit

The ADA Compliance Section is a resource for all staff. If staff have any questions about an incarcerated persons disability or the incarcerated person’s accommodations, staff should contact the ADA Compliance Section. This Section is trained in the ADA but is not a Medical Provider. They do not make the determination that an incarcerated persons has a disability. However, the Section plays a key role in ensuring disabled incarcerated persons are provided with accommodations as needed during their incarceration.

ISAT Unit

The ISAT unit provides Behavioral health care to the incarcerated persons that have been identified as having Mental health issues. The deputies in collaboration with Kern Behavioral Health work one on one with these individuals to help reintegrate them into general population units. The goal is to help the incarcerated individuals to develop proper coping mechanisms that allow them to care for themselves.

The Medical and Behavior Health section is staffed with One (1) Detentions Lieutenant, Three (3) Detentions Sergeants, Two (2) Detentions Senior Deputies, Twenty-Two (22) Detention Deputies and One (1) Sheriff Support Specialist.