Dozens of Inmate Deaths Reported Across Los Angeles County Jails Including 13 Deaths At The Men’s Central Jail Since January

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (September 26, 2023) – At least 13 inmates have died while staying at the Men’s Central Jail so far this year, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

As of mid September, 2023, 31 people have died in-custody in jails across Los Angeles County. This has prompted a number of families to protest.

They have called for the closure of the Men’s Central Jail as well as an end to in-custody deaths. Family members of inmates at the Men’s Central jail have complained that their loved ones have been beaten, abused and intentionally neglected.

A profile of the inmates who have died shows that most were relatively young. In January, a 33-year-old man in-custody died due to the effects of fentanyl.

A 29-year-old man died in March due to “multiple drug toxicity.” In August alone, 4 inmates died at the jail. A full investigation into all of the deaths remains ongoing at this time.

 

Liability For Los Angeles County Inmate Deaths

Los Angeles County has a long and sordid history for the care that inmates have received over the years. According to The Guardian, “The jails, which house roughly 14,000 people, have been mired in scandals for decades, but have faced growing national outrage over reports of violence by guards, systemic misconduct and racism, medical neglect, preventable deaths, extended use of solitary confinement, unsanitary cells and other conditions that civil rights leaders say amount to torture.” There are many steps that could be taken to help improve conditions at LA jails.

• State officials could work to reduce overcrowding at jails.
• State officials should work to hire and retain well-trained correctional officers.
• State officials should collect and analyze data on jail conditions.
• Police departments should work with community organization and advocacy groups.

Depending on the facts of any case, a jail could be liable if an inmate dies in their care. All jails have a legal obligation to provide inmates with reasonably adequate care. If a jail neglects the serious medical needs of an inmate that dies, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. For example, a jail may have failed to give an inmate prompt care in the midst of a medical emergency. There are many other ways that a jail may have failed to properly care for an inmate.

• Correctional officers may have failed to protect an inmate from being attacked.
• Correctional officers may have injured an inmate with excessive force.
• Correctional officers may have sexually abused an inmate in their care.

Jails are supposed to be places of rehabilitation, but far too often they are where people go to be neglected. Part of the problem is the lack of oversight at many jails across Los Angeles County. It is important for inmates and their families to know that they do have rights. The family members of any inmate that died in-custody may be able to seek some measure of justice through a constitutional claim.

 

Investigating Inmate Deaths Across Los Angeles County

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones at the Men’s Central Jail. So many people have died at this jail in recent months. There needs to be greater oversight into what is going on and tangible steps to prevent other deaths.

Have you or someone that you care about been harmed while staying at Men’s Central Jail? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of civil rights attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We focus entirely on helping people who have been harmed by police brutality and jail neglect. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.