In a 180-degree turn, county supervisors and Families ACT! mental health advocates this week praised the County Jail’s new grievance coordinator, Lt. Mark Mahurin, after condemning the sheriff two months ago for hiring the retired longtime custody staffer to audit complaints filed by inmates. The position was instated after months of sharp criticism of the County Jail and its health-care provider, Corizon Health, Inc. In 2016’s first quarter, Mahurin reported 131 medical and mental-health grievances. Of those, 87 have been resolved, 27 need follow-up, and one refused treatment. Undersheriff Barney Melekian said next quarter they would analyze how those numbers compare to other California jails.
