California Takes Legal Action Against Los Angeles County for ‘Inhumane’ Jail Conditions

Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Monday that California is suing Los Angeles County, highlighting “inhumane conditions” and an alarming rate of fatalities within its jail system.“We cannot delay any longer,” Bonta emphasized during a press conference. “We are in urgent need of thorough reforms, and they must happen immediately.” The lawsuit, filed on the same day, aims to force the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Correctional Health Services to initiate major reforms in areas such as health care, confinement conditions, and grievance procedures.“Through our lawsuit, we will strive to realize these necessary changes,” Bonta stated. “Every individual in custody deserves safety, dignity, and health care.”Currently, around 14,000 individuals are detained daily in L.A. jails, where they face issues like rat infestations, spoiled food, and a lack of clean drinking water. Over the last ten years, nearly 40% of deaths in these facilities stemmed from preventable circumstances.