"Nine people have died inside L.A. County jails so far this year, an alarming number for the Sheriff's Department as it continues to face a lawsuit from the state over the conditions in local lockups. Sheriff's Department officials said they are continuing to make changes, hoping to reduce the number of in-custody deaths and care for an inmate population that is increasingly struggling with medical and mental health issues."
"Seven inmates died in January, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and another two deaths have occurred so far in February. The causes of all nine deaths are still pending autopsy reports. The rate is on pace with 2025, when nine deaths were reported by the end of February, resulting in 46 in-custody deaths for the year. "It's not off to a good start," Luna said."
Nine people have died inside L.A. County jails so far this year, an alarming number while the Sheriff's Department faces a lawsuit from the state over local lockup conditions. Seven deaths occurred in January and two in February, with autopsy results pending for all nine. The current pace matches early 2025 figures that preceded 46 in-custody deaths that year. The Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission will probe eight 2025 suicides and 10 drug-related deaths through a review of Correctional Health Services. The department plans body-worn cameras for deputies in jails and changes to the Inmate Reception Center to better identify medical and mental health needs at booking.
#in-custody-deaths #los-angeles-county-sheriffs-department #correctional-health-services #jail-medical-and-mental-health
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