Yesterday, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the third person died in Los Angeles County’s jail system since the calendar year turned.
Last year, 46 people died in custody, giving 2025 the highest yearly death count since 2021.
In 2021, it important to note, there were 55 in-custody deaths in LA County’s jails, making it the deadliest year in the system in two decades.
Now, in less than the two weeks, 2026 has already reached the three death mark.
This proves nothing, of course, but it is not a good sign.
With all of the above and more in mind, along with some other critical issues, we’ll be taking a new look at the present state of our county’s deadly jails.
So stay tuned.