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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Los Angeles County Grand Jury • 2005-2006

Commendations

Published: June 06, 2006 18 pages
View PDF View Full Original

Findings 7 findings

F1 Page 43
At LAC+USC, the 13th floor is dedicated exclusively to the only jail inpatient program in Los Angeles County, commonly known as the Jail Ward. On a daily basis, a number of inmate-patients are not assigned beds in this secured Jail Ward. They are placed in beds in unsecured areas amongst the general patient population, commonly known as Open Wards, even though beds in the Jail Ward remain empty. These inmate-patients are often individuals with violent criminal records. 2005-2006 County of Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury 28
F2 Page 44
The Jail Ward originally had beds for 50 inmate patients. Over the years the bed capacity was reduced to 35 beds to accommodate an outpatient clinic. During an average day inmate-patients number 35; however, only 15 are given beds in the Jail Ward because of an insufficient number of nurses. California State law mandates that the licensed nurse-to-patient ratio must be 1:5. There are only 3 nurses assigned to the Jail Ward during an eight-hour shift, meaning that a maximum of 15 inmate-patients can be housed there.
F3
The Jail Ward is a secured facility. Inmate-patients do not have access to visitors, contraband or telephones. Precautions are taken so that inmates do not have access to medical equipment, drugs, and ancillary objects. Despite these precautions, many rudimentary weapons have been confiscated made from non- secured objects including toothbrushes sharpened into knives.
F4 Page 44
Approximately 10 Sheriff Deputies staff the ward at all times to protect the inmate-patients and the staff. These deputies also accompany inmate-patients when they are taken to other parts of the hospital for medical procedures. Open Wards And General Population
F5 Page 45
The safety precautions taken on the Jail Ward are not followed in the Open Wards. When Sheriff Deputies are not present, inmate-patients can intimidate others into complying with their demands, such as using a cell phone or aiding in an escape.
F6 Page 45
The Grand Jury reviewed a sample of 34 days of “Jail Inmates Housed On The Open Ward” lists covering the months of May, June, July, August and September
F7 Page 45
For the past several years, there have been escape attempts by inmate-patients. Inmates at county jail facilities have feigned illness or intentionally injured themselves in order to be transferred to LAC+USC with intent to escape. The following incidents have occurred involving inmate-patients on the Open Wards: • An inmate-patient involved in a CHP shooting death was identified in letters along with detailed, hand drawn maps of LAC+USC regarding an escape plan. One of the letters told the recipient to kill the deputy escorting the inmate-patient to the hospital. • An inmate-patient with a broken leg managed to cut through the left armrest of his wheelchair and slip off his handcuff. An eight-inch shank was hidden inside the inmate’s cast. 2005-2006 County of Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury 30 • An inmate-patient charged with murder recruited other inmates to help him escape from the Open Ward. He planned to hide in the bathroom, wait for a deputy to enter, and then “snap his neck”. • An inmate-patient escaped from LAC+USC while undergoing a CAT scan; he slipped out of his leg chains while the technician was conducting the exam in an unsecured area. • A Sheriff Deputy found an ankle chain on the floor after an inmate-patient escaped from an Open Ward. • A known gang member in an Open Ward lunged for a Deputy Sheriff’s gun, however was stopped. Twin Towers/ Men’s Central Jail Medical Facility

Recommendations 4