LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna responded to concerns after the county’s jail system recorded 10 in-custody deaths so far this year.
Luna discussed the issue Thursday during an interview on Eyewitness News at 11 a.m. He noted they ended last year with 46 in-custody deaths.
“Please remember this: every number is a family, and somebody who died and I recognize that, so we’re working very hard,” Luna said.
He said the number of people entering jails is increasing, a trend he linked to Proposition 36.
“We’re seeing that the population, the mental health population, the people addicted, the people who are medically and mentally fragile is increasing,” he said. “As a matter of fact, we’re now at 51% of our population who needs more medical care. If you look at the numbers from last year, and again, each number is a person, 54% died of natural causes. That tells you that something is wrong, health wise, in our community.”
Luna said the department has been looking at other jail systems across the country and said many are experiencing similar trends.
“I’m not rationalizing it or making excuses,” he said.
The sheriff said the department reviews every case “to look for patterns, of any kind.”
Luna outlined several measures underway, including deploying body worn cameras inside custody facilities.
“I’m actually going to be piloting a program where we put wristbands on folks that can monitor their vitals,” he said.
He also pointed to the recent opening of a new section of the Inmate Reception Center intended to expand medical screening and improve placement decisions.
“We’re trying to do everything we can,” Luna said. “We’re working our tails off. I want to get to zero. That’s the goal, because we know they’re people in my care. I don’t want anyone to pass away.”
Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.