According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, at least 140 people have died in San Diego County jails since 2009 — an average of one inmate death per month over the past 10 years.
Deaths in San Diego County jails are outpacing deaths in the jails of other large counties in California.
The findings are the result of a six-month investigation by The San Diego Union-Tribune. According to the report, at least 140 people have died in San Diego County jails since 2009 — an average of one inmate death per month over the past 10 years.
In response to the findings by the Union-Tribune, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore's office said in a statement to KPBS:
"The recent articles in the San Diego Union-Tribune highlight issues that are being faced not just by jails in San Diego County, but at detention facilities in California and across the United States. These issues are not unique to our jails. Mental illness and suicide are problems our society is facing on a daily basis."
RELATED: Rate of jail inmate deaths in San Diego County far exceeds other large California counties
Reporter Kelly Davis discusses the findings of her investigation into inmate deaths Tuesday on Midday Edition.
