As WLA readers are aware, on January 13, 2026, the third person of the year died in Los Angeles County’s jail system.
Now, today, Thursday, January 22, there was a fourth in-custody death in the county’s massive and dangerous jail system.
****
Editor’s note:
Today, January 27, 2026: There has been yet one more death, bringing the total to five deaths this year.
****
Bonta warned us
As we reported last year, on Sept 8, 2025, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a long and very tersely-worded lawsuit against the County of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and LA County’s Correctional Health Services (CHS).
In the lawsuit, Bonta described the “unconstitutional and inhumane conditions” in the nation’s largest county-run correctional health system.
Bonta’s view of the jails was affected by the fact that, a few years earlier, he and his office launched an investigation into whether the LASD had engaged in a “pattern or practice” of unconstitutional policing.
Among the issues that Bonta and his team’s investigation revealed turned out to be an alarming pattern of constitutional violations at Los Angeles County jails, which arguably led to a significant increase in in-custody deaths, despite decreases in the jail population size.
To illustrate, the AG pointed to uninhabitable and overcrowded jail facilities with inadequate plumbing, sanitation, and temperature control—conditions that, according to Bonta, contributed to multiple deaths.
Among the system’s other failures that the AG flagged in his 2025 lawsuit was the failure to provide adequate medical care to people inside the jails,
This latter issue is one that WLA’s inmate sources and some of our LASD sources working in custody have repeatedly described to us as life threatening.
The AG and his team agree.
“Defendants are responsible for the safety and well-being of individuals incarcerated in the Los Angeles County jails,” wrote Bonta, pointing to jail residents who have been “subjected for many years to inhumane conditions,” which reportedly include, “filthy cells with broken and overflowing toilets, infestations of rats and roaches, and no clean water for drinking or bathing…” and other painful conditions.
“Many individuals suffer physical or mental deterioration in these punitive conditions,” wrote Bonta,’ “which in turn leads to “preventable circumstances, such as overdoses, suicides, or violence among incarcerated persons.”
From 2016 to 2025, approximately 37.5 percent of the 345 people who have died in the LASD’s jails, died as a result of circumstances that, according to the AG, were preventable.
Oh, and on the topic of those 345 people who have died inside the jails since 2016, approximately sixty percent of those deaths have occurred “in the last four years,” wrote the AG,” in his complaint.
“As of the filing of this complaint,” wrote Bonta, “there have been 36 deaths in the Los Angeles County jails in 2025 alone, or approximately one death per week.”
And….as of today, Thursday, Jan. 22, we’ve hit our fourth death in three weeks and a day.
More soon. So stay tuned.
I guess we’re past the “looking into the facts” stuff. Like how did these people actually die? Apparently that’s irrelevant. All we need to know is Bonta that is a good guy and the Sheriff is a bad guy, the rest is assumed.
Has “journalism” always been this bad? Maybe, but at least they use to at least pretend a little better.
Dear GJ, you might want to glance at the screen shot at the top of the story, which lists everything that the department and the coroner will part with at this point, including “means of death,” and “manner of death,” and “location,” where the person died, and more.
C.
Celeste you know that “pending final autopsy report “ doesn’t tell us anything about the facts surrounding these deaths right?
It’s OK this isn’t about blame. I see you added the screen shot that the county gave you and it’s not your fault that it doesn’t really say much.
It’s just that maybe you should wait until you get some facts regarding these deaths before assuming too much.
I am always reminded of Statistics are used much like a drunk uses a lamppost: for support, not illumination. – Vin Scully. The “cause of death” is pending final autopsy report, which, if the Department of Coroner is anything like the Sheriff’s Department, is below authorized staffing levels so subsequent tox and other blood tests may be behind appropriate time constraints. Also, the people who are in custody have had a hard life, leaving many who age before their chronological time (like the saying “you got some city miles on you!). Deaths will occur in ANY custodial environment, and so your article is useful to keep a light shining on a very important part of a journalistic effort. But it would be illuminating for you to actually work in the trenches in a custodial environment to have a more accurate idea of the issues involved in working with people who cannot follow societies rules and so also cannot consistently follow custodial rules. Like the former host of “Dirty Jobs”, you need to actually experience what it means to do the job so you can better write about any abuses.
Celeste,
Again; I’ll commend you for actually posting replies unlike the other page that is basically co-managed by the alt-right… but, there is a large back story that both you, AG Bonta and frankly the LA County BOS choose to ignore.
The point being… is LASD to blame? This article makes it sure sound that way, which is substantially incorrect. Since the feds decided to step-up and play in 2009, LASD has been in an absolute tailspin. Sheriff after sheriff have promised reform, and boy did the BOS buy into those promises. Both outsiders and insiders alike have been at the helm since then… and everything is trending downward.
What I mean is, funding is down, hiring is dramatically down (despite the BS picture our current “Sheriff” wants the public to believe)…. but the biggest hit of all, is the morale of those caught in the spiral. With a mass exodus happening from those still brazen enough to answer the call… what will it take for society to realize one harsh reality? That reality is, the public is going to reap what they sew in the near future… and those doing the reaping have little to no experience in handling what society conveniently chooses to ignore.
Richard Grenier put it best when saying “Men sleep peacefully in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” …. But those numbers are dwindling. So, I sure hope both liberals and moderates alike know how to squabble; because it’s not a matter of if but when.
Blaming both LASD and the BOS for this problem is a joke. The vast majority of inmates coming into custody have had little to no regular health care; and cycle through the system due to recidivism rates being what they are. Where does accountability truly lie? We have stripped parents of responsibility and put the responsibility of success on our educators… now we say our health care system and first responders aiding them are responsible for one’s demise after a lifetime of self-initiated degradation? Give me a break.
In the 11th hour someone cries wolf, and then the county has to cover the cost? Not surprising in this circus.
I have sacrificed enough for this department; and I truly pray for those just entering the field… because it’s blatantly obvious the Sheriff, the BOS and our state AG don’t give a flying Fû*€ about our future. Yes, I said our future, because despite what this state/county think, y’all are gonna need our help when the proverbial ish hits the fan.
I was in twin towers for a few months and toilet didn’t flush for 2.5 weeks,freezing cold in cell, and one day I returned after I went to court and sheriff opened my cell door to let me back in cell and floor was mopped just before that and I went in and skidded to other side doing the splits and fell backwards to hit corner of stainless steel toilet/sink. Broke my ankle and head had 3 inch gash in it. While bleeding bad and couldn’t get up off ground the sheriff laughed and closed cell door. Barely in a hours time made it to bed to sleep. Few hours later at 1 am in morning I got woke up to “you’re now a liability so grab your stuff and your going home!” They chained me to a wheelchair and dropped me at Los Angeles county hospital without wheelchair and I had to wait all day with a head injury, broken ankle to sit around waiting for medical help. Tears when I crawled to restroomto get in line when my name was called to see a specialist, etc. Finally called friend to pick me up after 21 hours of misery and a month and a week later still can’t walk and scab is huge still on head. Headaches,no shoe on foot and I had to buy a walker so I can get from 1 spot to next spot. Can’t get sleep because blanket hurts my ankle .from 1 to 10 it’s a 8.5 all the time and 11 when it bends ancle for whatever accidental reason. I’m ganna get lawyer and sue them for no medical attention till next day when left behind at hospital. All my clothes, wallet, money, shoes, keys all still in jail custody.worse than animals in shelters. worst degrading place of my life, being in there..life time injury and may never walk or be able to run, carry weight again. Sad but they (sheriffs) don’t care about inmates .they go home either way and your life is ruined without them even getting in trouble for neglect, paid with time off while looking to see if negligent or not.
@Traditionof Service — Stop the whining. The Jails have a long history of challenges … and it did not just start recently… enjoy your retirement.
I can only try to imagine how you’re feeling Scott. Sorry that happened to you.
Editor’s note:
Today, Tuesday, January 27, I see there’s been a fifth death. The person was 52 years old, was pre-sentenced, and died in the ICU. The “manner” and “means,” of death is—as is usual—pending the “final autopsy report.”
@Resident:
My comment has little to nothing to do with the jails. It focuses more on the fact the demise of the decedents is often due to either poor personal care or substance abuse… and the county (and residents like yourself) are left to fit the bill. I could’ve touched on the fact LASD lacks control in searches due to new forced policy initiatives; but that’s for another day perhaps.
I’m familiar with the struggles within the department, and I didn’t say they only started recently. I also didn’t say if I was retired or not. I said I pray for those entering the field.
Maybe switch to decaf before firing off your next response.
@Tradition
Is it really that challenging? Or is that the narrative? Maybe Custody should be revamped and not have sworn personnel. They can go straight too patrol. Blaming the inmate isn’t working to well over the past several decades …
@Resident-
It’s the responsibility of the Sheriff to run the county jail… and patrol isn’t a requirement of those working for LASD. Have fun trying to run a jail without someone sworn. How will laws (yes, even inside) be enforced when one sworn to uphold them won’t be present?
Blame will be placed no matter what… as long as it’s placed at the feet of the appropriate party; that is what’s important. These inmates are adults, making adult decisions… playing stupid games; and yes sometimes, winning stupid prizes. Sometimes that prize is a payout to their family after a lifetime of glorious achievements ().