"California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta says the state will sue the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department and its sheriff, Robert Luna, for what the state official called a "humanitarian crisis" inside of the county jails. Inmates are housed in unsafe, dirty facilities infested with roaches and rats, Bonta said in a news conference Monday, and lack basic access to clean water and edible food. "More alarming, people are dying," he said."
"There have been over 205 in-custody deaths in four years, Bonta said, with 40% caused by suicide, homicides and overdoses. He called for comprehensive reform, but said the county forced his hand by refusing to comply. "I'd prefer collaboration over litigation, but the county has left us with no choice, so litigation it is," he said."
"L.A. County, which houses the largest jail system in the country, has long been criticized for poor conditions. As it has expanded to hold around 13,000 people on any given day, decades - perhaps a century - of mistreatment and overcrowding has been documented. The system lost a federal lawsuit in 1978 after decades of dirty, mold-ridden and overcrowded jails prompted inmates to fight back through the courts, and frequently faces suits alleging it fails to provide proper food, water and shelter."
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Robert Luna over what he characterized as a humanitarian crisis in county jails. Inmates are housed in unsafe, dirty facilities infested with roaches and rats and lack reliable access to clean water and edible food. Over 205 in-custody deaths occurred in four years, with about 40% due to suicide, homicide, or overdose. L.A. County operates the nation’s largest jail system, holding about 13,000 people daily, and has a long history of documented mistreatment, overcrowding, and failed compliance with court rulings.
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