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KPBS Midday Edition

Federal lawsuit calls for reforms in San Diego County jails

The George Bailey Detention Facility in Otay Mesa is shown on July 21, 2015.
Megan Wood
The George Bailey Detention Facility in Otay Mesa is shown on July 21, 2015.

A federal class-action lawsuit is calling for reforms to conditions and inmate care in San Diego's seven jail facilities.

The ACLU, along with lawyers representing several people incarcerated in county jails, first filed the lawsuit in March 2021 and filed an amended complaint this week that includes details from the state auditor's investigation.

The ACLU lawsuit claims the Sheriff's Department and several other San Diego County departments have failed to provide adequate medical care and living conditions to inmates inside the county’s jails.

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The Sheriff's Department promoted a department veteran this week to oversee the county's detention facilities. Commander Theresa Adams-Hydar will take on the role of assistant sheriff later this month.

Bardis Vakili, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU who is working on the federal lawsuit, joined Midday Edition on Friday to discuss the case.

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