California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against Los Angeles County on Monday over what he described as “inhumane conditions” in its jail system. The lawsuit seeks to compel the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Correctional Health Services to implement significant reforms, including improvements to health care, conditions of confinement, and grievance procedures.
The legal action follows an investigation that began in 2021, revealing issues such as overcrowding, inadequate access to medical and dental care, and unsanitary conditions, including rat and roach infestations and feces on walls. Despite a decrease in the jail population, inmate deaths have increased, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Bonta emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We need comprehensive reform now, and that’s what this lawsuit is about.” He criticized the sheriff’s department for not adequately addressing these issues, despite reforms in other areas…