U.S. Justice Department probes Los Angeles County jail conditions

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into the conditions at Los Angeles County’s Men’s Central Jail. Conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, the probe will examine whether the facility fails to provide environmentally safe, humane, and habitable conditions, potentially violating the Eighth and 14th Amendments of the Constitution.

The investigation focuses on the physical facility itself rather than the deputies staffing it. This federal inquiry follows years of complaints regarding poor conditions, including inmate deaths and allegations of infestations involving rats and roaches. California Attorney General Rob Bonta previously filed suit against the county, describing the situation as a “humanitarian crisis” involving lack of access to clean water and edible food.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna was notified of the probe in a letter. While county supervisors have discussed replacing the facility with a mental health center, plans to close the outdated jail have faced delays.