Breaking News: Los Angeles Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence Spurs L.A. Sheriff Baca to Sweeping Reforms

Last week, NCCD President Alex Busansky and fellow members of the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence released their final report on allegations of long-entrenched inmate abuse in the Los Angeles County Jails. In the report, the Commission concluded that “there is a persistent pattern of unreasonable force in the Los Angeles County Jails that dates back many years.”

Last week, NCCD President Alex Busansky and fellow members of the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence released their final report on allegations of long-entrenched inmate abuse in the Los Angeles County Jails. In the report, the Commission concluded that “there is a persistent pattern of unreasonable force in the Los Angeles County Jails that dates back many years.”

In his remarks last week, Alex took strong issue with Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca’s description of the Los Angeles County Jails as a model system, saying, “What I and this Commission have seen is not the best in the nation. It is a jail system in desperate need of real leadership, accountability, and honesty about the dangerous culture that now dominates the jail system.”

The Commission offered several recommendations for reform, many of which are already moving forward. Today, Sheriff Baca said he planned to implement all of the Commission’s recommendations, noting that “I couldn’t have written them better myself. We will be a stronger and safer jail.”

Alex’s work on the Commission and NCCD’s work in adult corrections share a common vision. The health of our public institutions and social service systems has a direct impact on the safety and well-being of our communities. What happens inside jails doesn’t stay inside—it touches all of us. On Friday, Alex stressed this point to Los Angeles’ government and community leaders, urging them to continue their work toward reform. “I hope that in the months and years ahead the work of this Commission and others working towards real reform of the Sheriff’s Department will not drift into oblivion, but that the spotlight will remain on and bright.”

The Commission’s report release and Alex’s remarks were covered by the LA Times, NPR, the Huffington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and other outlets. More information on the report and the Commission is available at the CCJV website.