Los Angeles County supervisors are facing mounting scrutiny over conditions within the county jail system, particularly at the aging Men’s Central Jail (MCJ). A recent surge in inmate deaths – 46 in 2025 and ten so far in 2026 – has prompted the Board of Supervisors to demand a comprehensive safety plan and a timeline for the closure of MCJ. However, a growing chorus of critics points to earlier decisions by the same supervisors as directly contributing to the current crisis, alleging a disconnect between stated goals and past actions regarding jail infrastructure and inmate care.
The debate centers on a 2019 decision to halt the construction of a modern, constitutionally compliant custodial treatment facility. This facility was intended to replace MCJ, which has long been criticized for its dilapidated condition and inadequate resources. The subsequent adoption of a “Care First, Jails Last” policy further solidified a stance against building replacement jail capacity, prioritizing alternatives to incarceration. Now, with the jail population increasing due to measures like Proposition 36, and deaths on the rise, supervisors are under pressure to reconcile their past decisions with the urgent demand for safer and more humane conditions for those in custody.
The situation at MCJ is particularly dire. Built in 1963, the jail has faced persistent issues with structural deficiencies, overcrowding, and inadequate medical and mental health care. Activists and families of inmates have repeatedly disputed official classifications of deaths as “natural,” arguing that insufficient access to treatment plays a significant role. The county’s Correctional Health Services provided care to over 44,000 patients – out of 62,000 inmates who cycled through the jails – in 2024, highlighting the immense strain on the system. Recent reports detail a spike in deaths, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of current safety measures.
A History of Delayed Action and Shifting Priorities
Efforts to close MCJ began as early as 2021, but progress has been hampered by setbacks, including an increase in the inmate population following the passage of Proposition 36 in 2020. Proposition 36, a ballot initiative approved by California voters, amended the state’s Three Strikes Law, allowing for the resentencing of individuals previously convicted under the law. This resulted in the release of some inmates but also led to an influx of others awaiting trial or serving sentences for modern offenses.
Supervisor Janice Hahn, who recently expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of progress on MCJ’s closure, played a key role in the 2019 decision to abandon the planned construction of a replacement facility. According to reporting from the Pasadena Star-News, Hahn called for the chairman of the county’s jail safety implementation team, Wilford Pinkney, to prioritize jail closure over safety improvements and to rename the effort accordingly. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger abstaining. However, critics argue that this shift in focus – away from providing adequate facilities and towards solely prioritizing closure – has exacerbated the problems within the existing jail system.
The “Care First, Jails Last” policy, adopted in 2021, reflects a broader movement advocating for increased investment in mental health and substance abuse treatment as alternatives to incarceration. Even as the intent behind this policy is laudable, opponents contend that it failed to adequately address the needs of inmates requiring secure housing and specialized medical care. The policy, as noted in Hahn’s recent motion, has become a central tenet of the debate surrounding MCJ’s future.
Rising Concerns Over Inmate Safety and Medical Care
The recent surge in inmate deaths has intensified scrutiny of the medical and mental health services provided within the Los Angeles County jail system. While many deaths are classified as “natural,” concerns persist that inadequate access to care contributes to preventable fatalities. The conditions at Twin Towers Correctional Facility, which houses a significant number of inmates with mental and physical health issues, have been described as inadequate to meet the complex needs of the population. Recent reports highlight the urgent need for improved medical infrastructure and staffing levels.
The Board of Supervisors has responded to the crisis by voting to expand access to naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, and to tighten camera monitoring and safety checks within the jails. These measures, while welcomed by advocates, are seen by some as insufficient to address the systemic issues plaguing the system. The board has directed Correctional Health Services to collaborate with the Chief Executive Office to secure funding for an electronic health system aimed at improving the tracking of medical appointments and follow-up care for inmates.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that a significant proportion of the jail population consists of individuals awaiting trial, many of whom are considered serious and violent offenders. Releasing these individuals to non-custodial settings would pose a significant risk to public safety, according to law enforcement officials. This reality underscores the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes both inmate welfare and community protection.
The Path Forward: Accountability and a Realistic Assessment
The debate over the future of MCJ and the broader Los Angeles County jail system highlights a fundamental tension between ideological commitments and practical realities. Critics argue that the supervisors’ “anti-jail” stance has blinded them to the urgent need for adequate facilities and resources to ensure the safety and well-being of those in custody. Joseph Charney, a former Los Angeles County deputy district attorney, recently wrote that the board’s policy has been “irresponsible to both the inmates and the residents of L.A. County.”
Addressing the crisis requires a comprehensive and realistic assessment of the county’s needs, as well as a willingness to acknowledge past mistakes. Simply renaming the jail safety implementation team, as suggested by Supervisor Hahn, will not solve the underlying problems. Instead, the board must prioritize the construction of modern, constitutionally compliant facilities that can adequately house and care for the inmate population. This will require a significant investment of resources and a willingness to compromise on ideological principles.
The current situation also underscores the need for improved oversight and accountability within the Correctional Health Services. Ensuring that inmates have timely access to quality medical and mental health care is paramount. This will require increased staffing levels, improved training, and a commitment to addressing the systemic failures that have contributed to the recent surge in deaths.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to receive an update on the jail safety plan at its next meeting on April 7, 2026. This meeting will be a critical opportunity for the board to demonstrate its commitment to addressing the crisis and to outline a clear path forward. The public is encouraged to attend and provide input on this important issue.
The challenges facing the Los Angeles County jail system are complex and multifaceted. However, by prioritizing accountability, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring access to quality care, the county can start to address the crisis and create a safer and more humane environment for those in custody. The future of MCJ, and the well-being of countless individuals, hangs in the balance.
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