California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), and County Correctional Health Services (CHS) over what he described as unconstitutional and inhumane conditions in county jails. The legal action follows a civil rights investigation launched by the Attorney General’s Office in 2021 into LASD practices.
The investigation found ongoing constitutional violations within Los Angeles County jails. According to the Attorney General’s Office, there has been an increase in deaths among those held in custody, despite a reduction in the jail population. The findings also cited overcrowded and uninhabitable facilities with poor plumbing, sanitation, and temperature control—factors that have contributed to multiple deaths. In addition, there were reports of inadequate medical and mental health care for incarcerated individuals.
Attorney General Bonta stated: “In recent years, my office has successfully negotiated settlements with law enforcement agencies across California to reform their practices, including most recently, an agreement with the neighboring city of Torrance. While the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Luna have made a number of reforms to patrol operations during the course of our investigation, they have remained obstinate on the issue of improving the unsafe and unconstitutional conditions at county jails. We’re going to court because we have no other choice — we will not let Los Angeles County continue to ignore its responsibility to the health, safety, and well-being of the individuals under its care. Los Angeles operates the largest jail system in the United States — and one of the most problematic. When we’re talking about feces smeared on the walls and medical care denied to those in need, we’re talking about a disrespect for the basic dignity of our fellow humans and a violation of their most fundamental constitutional rights. We’re confident the court will agree.”
The lawsuit follows extensive engagement between state officials and local authorities—including discussions with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna—without reaching agreement on comprehensive solutions for jail conditions.
Findings from the Attorney General’s investigation describe cells with broken toilets, infestations of pests such as rats and roaches, lack of clean water for drinking or bathing, spoiled food, limited access to hygiene supplies like soap or menstrual products, insufficient clothing or bedding changes, and minimal time outside cells. Many inmates reportedly suffer physical or mental deterioration but cannot access needed healthcare services. These issues are linked by investigators to preventable deaths inside county jails—including suicides—and hinder rehabilitation efforts.
According to data from LASD over three years under Sheriff Luna’s leadership, preventable deaths inside jails have continued to rise.
Despite decades-long awareness of these problems by both county officials and LASD leaders—and acknowledgment that they violate state and federal law—the lawsuit claims that necessary changes have not been made. Instead, millions have been spent defending litigation related to jail abuses without resolving underlying issues or implementing previously agreed-upon reforms.
Bonta is seeking injunctive relief requiring defendants—including LASD leadership—to implement reforms such as providing adequate medical care; protecting inmates from harm; ensuring humane living conditions; respecting inmate dignity; promptly addressing healthcare requests; accommodating persons with disabilities; and offering language support services for non-English speakers.
Attorney General Bonta has previously announced agreements with other law enforcement agencies aimed at improving policing standards statewide. Last month he announced an enforceable agreement requiring comprehensive reforms at Torrance Police Department (TPD). In 2024 he concluded oversight after San Francisco Police Department achieved substantial compliance with recommended policy reforms. He also secured a settlement requiring changes at Vallejo Police Department policies. Ongoing investigations include departments in Antioch (related to alleged discriminatory misconduct), Riverside County (alleged excessive force), and Santa Clara County (jail facility conditions).
A copy of today’s lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court is available here.
