9 Inmate Deaths Raise Alarm Over L.A. County Jail Conditions

Sheriff's Department faces lawsuit from state over dire conditions in local lockups

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Nine inmates have died in L.A. County jails so far this year, an alarming rate that has renewed scrutiny over the conditions in the county's correctional facilities. The Sheriff's Department is facing a lawsuit from the California Attorney General's office alleging that inmates "are forced to live in filthy cells with broken and overflowing toilets, infestations of rats and roaches, and no clean water for drinking or bathing." Officials say they are taking steps to address the issues, including implementing body-worn cameras for deputies and making physical changes to the Inmate Reception Center.

Why it matters

The high number of in-custody deaths has raised serious concerns about the quality of medical and mental health care provided to inmates in L.A. County jails. The state's lawsuit alleges that the poor conditions violate the constitutional rights of inmates and contribute to the "shocking rate of preventable in-custody deaths." Addressing these issues is crucial for protecting the wellbeing of incarcerated individuals and restoring public trust in the county's correctional system.

The details

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, seven inmates died in January 2026, and two more have died so far in February. The causes of all nine deaths are still pending autopsy reports. This pace matches 2025, when the department reported 46 in-custody deaths by the end of February, up from 32 deaths in 2024. Sheriff Robert Luna said the department is continuing to make changes, including implementing body-worn cameras for deputies and making physical improvements to the Inmate Reception Center, in an effort to better identify and care for inmates with medical and mental health issues.

  • In September 2025, the California Attorney General's office sued the Sheriff's Department over the conditions in the county jails.
  • As of October 2025, the jail population had increased to about 13,500 inmates, the highest the agency has seen since May 2023.
  • In 2015, about 22% of the inmate population was in need of mental health care. Today, that figure is around 49%.

The players

Robert Luna

The Sheriff of Los Angeles County.

Rob Bonta

The Attorney General of California, who filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department over the conditions in the county jails.

Hugo Macias

The Assistant Sheriff and chief of the custody services division at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Hans Johnson

The chair of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, which will probe the county's Correctional Health Services during its next meeting.

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What they’re saying

“Every time I get notified that someone in my care has passed away, it's like a kick in the groin. It's not what you want to hear.”

— Robert Luna, Sheriff (Los Angeles Times)

“The lack of access to care contributes to the shocking rate of preventable in-custody deaths, such as suicides.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission will probe the county's Correctional Health Services during its next meeting to investigate the eight suicides and 10 drug-related deaths that occurred in 2025.

The takeaway

The high number of inmate deaths in L.A. County jails highlights the urgent need to address the dire conditions and lack of proper medical and mental health care for incarcerated individuals. Implementing reforms, increasing oversight, and dedicating resources to improving the correctional system are crucial steps to protect the wellbeing of those in custody and restore public trust.