Ventura County Grand Jury released report on deaths while detained at Sheriff’s operated jails
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – A Ventura County Grand Jury released the results of their investigation into current policies to prevent deaths and promote the safety of detained people in the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and Todd Road Jail on Thursday.
Between 2016 and 2022, 25 people died while detained in jails operated by Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Causes of those deaths include suicide, drug overdose, and medical complications.
The Grand Jury found in their report:
- Current protocols and training on suicide prevention do not follow recommended best practices of joint training for medical and jail staff, involvement of family, health screening and orientation of detained persons
- Current incentives to surrender illicit drugs are inadequate, and search protocols could be enhanced by use of drug detection dogs
- Medical and behavioral health delivery in Ventura County jails has often been reactive rather than proactive
- Communication with families coupled with better orientation processes are key to prevention of suicide by detained persons
- Involvement of the public and independent subject matter experts in the review of deaths in jail may reduce the risk of death, provide additional insight, justify additional resources and increase transparency
These conclusions were followed by a series of recommendations including that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors institute a review panel of community members and independent subject matter experts to review jail deaths and support death prevention efforts.
To view all Ventura County Grand Jury Reports for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, including this Report, visit here.
