Addressing Jail Deaths

More than 165 people have died in San Diego County jails since 2009. Under the current Sheriff’s leadership jail deaths continue to average one in-custody death per month.

San Diego County has the highest jail-mortality rate among California’s largest counties, which is far higher than even Los Angeles County jails.

The county also has the dubious distinction of leading the state in prisoner suicides, having seen over 30 jail-suicide, a rate many times higher than other similarly-sized jails in California.

As Sheriff, I will:

Implement #TakeItToZero Campaign to end all deaths in our jails. We will mitigate jail deaths by establishing a Task Force to perform a comprehensive evaluation of jail policies and procedures, staffing positions, and custody data to understand the root causes of the record number of deaths in the jails. 

Prioritize women’s health and wellbeing in jails by meeting and exceeding standards for women’s health and disease prevention in jails, including banning the use of shackling pregnant female inmates to their beds while they are delivering their babies.

Prioritize mental health and harm prevention in jails by implementing proper mental health and risk assessment protocols for inmates to prevent the record number of inmate suicides and self-harm in our jails. 

Enforce transparency by implementing body worn cameras for all deputies, including deputies working in the jails.