Jail abuse in LA

For years, there have been newspaper reports and studies about the irregularities in Los Angeles County jails. The most recent report put together by a Citizens’ Commission that includes judges, prosecutors, religious leaders and police chiefs, identifies the issue as a structural problem in the Los Angeles jail system.

The commission paints an alarming picture of an out-of-control system, where they first use violence and then find out what happened, where prisoners cannot report abuse because no one listens to them or investigates. At the head of this dysfunctional system is Sheriff Lee Baca, who is named as the responsible party for his “lack of leadership” and knowledge about the actual situation of the jails his department controls.

But this issue goes beyond an out-of-touch chief: The report points out the lack of training for officers, the poor response of mid-level administrators and the lack of control from entities in charge of monitoring what happens inside one of the country’s largest prison systems.

The problem has been around for years, and it is so serious that the FBI is conducting an evaluation of the accusations of brutality against inmates. Meanwhile, we have this report, which was commissioned by the County Board of Supervisors just nine months ago, but which analyzed the problem thoroughly.

The investigation suggests numerous changes and reforms, more than 60 in total. Commission members have said they would have asked for the sheriff’s resignation if they did not think he could lead serious system reforms. However, Sheriff Baca was elected by county voters and only voters can fire him.

The ideal would be for the sheriff to commit to implementing a significant number of the suggested reforms, but obviously, there is a need for an independent monitoring system for his jails and his department. In the city of Los Angeles, the Police Commission and a strong inspector general have helped change the behavior and image of the LAPD, which was once an out-of-control department. But it was also necessary to have a new, aware leadership. Maybe Baca can prevent voters from firing him if he takes complete responsibility for what is happening and implements measures to fix it.