When working in civil rights litigation, data tells a story. In Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, the numbers around in-custody deaths highlight systemic risks, patterns of neglect, and the urgency for accountability.

The Big Picture: Inland Empire Jail Deaths (2011–2022)

A report by Care First California / Inland Empire Lives Lost shows that from 2011 to 2022, 442 people died in custody in the Inland Empire region. That includes:

  • 216 deaths in San Bernardino County
  • 226 deaths in Riverside County

To put it in state-level perspective: during that same period, approximately 2,312 people died in custody across all California jails — meaning Riverside + San Bernardino accounted for nearly 19% of those deaths, despite making up about 12% of the state’s population.

Riverside County: A Closer Look

  • Riverside recorded its deadliest year in decades in 2022 with 19 in-custody deaths across its jails. investigativeediting.org
  • It was among the highest death-rate large county jail systems in California. The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle
  • According to a newer report, nearly 250 people have died in Riverside jails since 2011, a 133% increase compared to prior years, even though jail populations stayed relatively stable. riversiderecord.org
  • In 2022, Riverside paid out more than $13 million in settlements in wrongful death / neglect lawsuits tied to jail deaths. San Diego Post
  • Many of the deaths happen before a person is ever convicted. Reports say that more than 93% of in-custody deaths in Riverside occur before trial or sentencing. VOICE

San Bernardino County: Trends & Red Flags

  • From the Inland Empire data: 216 deaths in prison custody in San Bernardino over 2011–2022.
  • In 2023, there were alarms about 4 inmates dying in one month in San Bernardino jails, with at least one legal settlement tied to those deaths. Prison Legal News
  • Recently, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department reported 10 in-custody deaths in 2024 at its correctional facilities (6 in hospitals, 4 inside county facilities). Gold Rush Cam
  • There have been clusters of deaths within short timeframes. In May 2025 alone, three individuals died in San Bernardino County jails within two weeks (some within hours of arrest). SBC Sentinel

Map infographic showing San Bernardino County jail death trends from 2011 to 2025, highlighting inmate fatalities and legal red flags.

Patterns That Emerge

  • A spike in recent years: Riverside’s 2022 total (19) was unusually high and serves as a red flag.
  • Many deaths happen early in custody — before processing, during booking, or in the first days of incarceration. In the larger state picture, ~40% of in-custody deaths occur in the first week.
  • Overdoses, suicides, untreated medical conditions, and failures in monitoring are common contributing causes.
  • Legal accountability is already in motion: California’s Attorney General launched a civil rights probe into the Riverside Sheriff’s Office in response to these deaths. AP News
  • Administrative and oversight failures — such as delayed medical care, lack of mental health support, and poor staffing — are recurring themes in local reporting.

What Families Need to Take Away

  1. These aren’t isolated incidents — the numbers show systemic issues in both counties.
  2. Deaths often happen before trial, which amplifies the injustice: people are dying while awaiting due process.
  3. Rapid legal action is essential. When months or years pass, evidence can vanish, records can be sealed, and institutional resistance can increase.
  4. A strong civil rights / wrongful death attorney must know how to navigate:
    • Coroner records
    • Sheriff’s department internal investigations
    • Medical and mental health records
    • Oversight agencies (e.g. California BSCC, AG’s office)

 

Holding Jails Accountable

If your loved one died while in custody in Riverside or San Bernardino County, you deserve clear answers — not silence or shifting stories. Our firm investigates jail neglect, denial of medical care, and wrongful deaths in custody throughout Southern California. We know how to uncover what really happened behind bars, hold county agencies accountable, and help families pursue justice.

Reach out to our civil rights and wrongful death attorneys for a free, confidential consultation. You don’t have to face the system alone.