San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez this week outlined what she\u2019s doing to reform the local jail system, which is facing a series of lawsuits alleging unsafe conditions inside many of the aging buildings.<\/p>\n
During a presentation to the board of supervisors<\/a>, Martinez said her department has enacted new policies leading to better medical and mental healthcare for inmates \u2014 and fewer in-custody deaths.<\/p>\n \u201cI want this to be foundational, sustainable and the way we operate going forward,\u201d she told the board.<\/p>\n There\u2019s been a steady decline since a record 19 inmates died in 2022, according to sheriff\u2019s office data<\/a>. That year, the state auditor released a scathing report<\/a> finding San Diego County had the second most in-custody deaths of any California county over a 15-year span (after Los Angeles County).<\/p>\n \u201cUntil the Sheriff\u2019s Department implements meaningful change to improve its provision of medical and mental healthcare in its detention facilities, it will continue to jeopardize the safety and lives of individuals in its custody,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n Since then, the office has begun providing medical exams to each inmate at intake, instead of just on request. Martinez, who first took office in 2023, said that\u2019s led to more responsive care and the treatment of chronic health issues that may have previously gone unnoticed.<\/p>\n During the supervisors\u2019 meeting, Commander Jesse Johns said the sheriff\u2019s office has also stationed a nurse on each jail housing floor.<\/p>\n \u201cSo that when a medical issue arises \u2014 regardless of how large or small it is \u2014 there\u2019s somebody there to treat them immediately. And then it creates consistency in who\u2019s assessing the patient every single day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The sheriff\u2019s office has also provided new behavioral healthcare options, expanded substance use treatment and set up stronger reentry support for inmates leaving the jail system.<\/p>\n