EspañolSen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove Call for U.S. Justice Department Investigation Into Abuse at LA-Based Men’s Central Jail
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (January 7, 2024) – Two democratic lawmakers have called for a federal probe after a reported instance of abuse that took place at Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles County.
The incident in question took place in July 2022. Surveillance footage shows two deputies escorting a man back into his cell.
While they were taking the man back, deputies could be seen forcefully smashing the man’s head into a concrete wall. The impact caused severe swelling and major lacerations to the man’s head.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office issued a review of the incident. But they declined to file any charges against either of the officers involved.
Prosecutors said that they had insufficient evidence to show that the use of force was unlawful. The decision not to prosecute has come under sharp criticism by the ACLU and other organizations.
Liability for Los Angeles County Inmate Abuse
The Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles has a long and sordid history. According to the Vera Institute of Justice, “Fifty-two people have died in Los Angeles County jails since the start of 2023. The overwhelming majority of deaths have occurred in the notorious Men’s Central Jail (MCJ), which has been slated to close for years, yet remains open.” A number of factors have contributed to violence and abuse in LA County jails.
- Overcrowding: It is common for jails in LA County to operate at or near capacity. This often leads to overcrowding and heightened tensions between inmates and guards.
- Culture of Violence: There is often a code of silence among staff that enables abuse to continue unnoticed.
- Mental Health: Many of the inmates in LA County jails have serious mental health needs that are simply not being met adequately by the jails they are staying in.
Jail staff have a legal obligation to always use the least amount of force necessary for any given situation. According to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of law, deprives someone of their rights afforded under the Constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. There are a number of ways that correctional officers may use excessive force in a jail setting.
- Correctional officers may punch or strike an inmate who is already restrained or otherwise compliant.
- Correctional officers may slam or throw inmates against walls or floors without justification.
- Correctional officers may cause positional asphyxia through the use of their body weight.
- Correctional officers may misuse stun guns or chemical agents.
Excessive force in a jail setting is rarely an isolated incident. Rather, it is more likely that they are part of a culture of misconduct. Sadly, though, police departments will virtually never accept responsibility for their illegal actions. When they investigate themselves for misconduct, they will inevitably find that they’ve done nothing wrong. This is why it is so important that victims of excessive force seek legal support as early as possible.
Investigating Los Angeles County Inmate Abuse
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned by the allegations of abuse and misconduct at the Men’s Central Jail. It is our sincere hope that there is a thorough investigation into what happened. There is simply no excuse for the rampant abuse and misconduct widely reported at this jail.
Have you or someone that you care about been harmed at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles? You may have legal recourse. Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care that inmates are aware of their rights and that jails are held accountable for their unconstitutional actions. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
