California AG Rob Bonta files lawsuit over ‘inhumane conditions’ at LA County jails

 Here is a summary of the news regarding California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s lawsuit against Los Angeles County regarding conditions in its jails:

California AG Sues LA County Over “Inhumane” Jail Conditions

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against Los Angeles County and its Sheriff’s Department, alleging that the county’s jails are run with “deliberate indifference” to the “inhumane and unconstitutional conditions” that have led to a pattern of excessive force and neglect.

Key Allegations in the Lawsuit:

The suit, filed in California Superior Court, cites systemic failures that violate inmates’ civil rights:

1. Excessive Use of Force: Deputies are accused of using brutal and unjustified force, including against mentally ill inmates.

2. Failure to Protect: The department allegedly fails to protect incarcerated people from violence, both from deputies and other inmates.

3. Inadequate Mental Health Care: The jails house a large population of people with mental illnesses but fail to provide adequate care, leading to tragic outcomes, including suicides.

4. Poor Sanitation and Unsafe Conditions: Overcrowded and unsanitary facilities, infested with vermin, contribute to the inhumane environment.

Why This Lawsuit is Significant:

• Unprecedented Action: This is a rare instance of the state’s top prosecutor taking legal action against a county’s jail system. It signifies a major escalation in oversight.

• Pattern of Problems: The lawsuit is the result of a multi-year investigation launched in 2021, suggesting the issues are deep-rooted and ongoing, despite previous promises of reform.

• Focus on Accountability: The action moves beyond criticizing individual deputies and targets the systemic failures and culture within the Sheriff’s Department and county leadership.

The Response:

• LA County Sheriff Robert Luna stated his department has been cooperating with the state’s investigation and is “committed to reform.” However, he has previously pointed to challenges like aging infrastructure and staffing shortages.

• The County Board of Supervisors will likely be involved in the legal response and any potential settlement negotiations.

What Happens Next:

The lawsuit seeks a court order to force LA County to implement specific reforms under the supervision of a court-appointed monitor. This would likely mean a federal judge would have oversight of the jail system until constitutional standards are met.

This legal action underscores the severe and persistent crisis within the nation’s largest jail system and represents one of the most significant efforts to force change from the outside.