DATE:
March 15, 2022
15
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
ADDRESSING DEATHS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY JAILS: RECEIVING THE CALIFORNIA STATE AUDITOR REPORT REGARDING THE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, DIRECTING STATE LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT, AND DIRECTING THE CAO TO WORK WITH STAFF FOR REVISION OF THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE CITIZENS' LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
Over the past 15 years, there have been more deaths in San Diego County jails than almost any other county in California, and in 2021, San Diego County had more in-custody deaths than it has in any other year in the past 15 years.
At the direction of the California State Joint Legislative Audit Committee, the Auditor of the State of California ("State Auditor") has conducted an audit of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department ("Sheriff's Department") to determine the reasons for the high number of in-custody deaths. The State Auditor has issued a report that raises concerns about systemic issues with the Sheriff's Department's policies and practices related to its provision of medical and mental health care and its performance of visual checks to ensure the safety and health of individuals in its custody. Additionally, the State Auditor also found that the Sheriff's Department's and the Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board's ("CLERB") reviews of in-custody deaths have been insufficient.
Based on its findings, the State Auditor has made specific recommendations to address the risks to inmate safety. This Board Letter recommends that CLERB implement the State Auditor's suggested changes to its policies, procedures, and operations. The California Constitution and state law provide that county sheriffs are elected county officials with independent functions and duties. California Constitution, Article XI, Section 1(b); Cal. Gov. Code ?? 26600, et seq. The Sheriff has specific statutory authority through state law in the areas of policing and deten...
Click here for full text