The first report of an Office of Inspector General established to hold the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office accountable is calling for “full transparency” on the in-custody deaths of three men and sexual assault of another, while recommending an overhaul of use-of-force policies and the way the department investigates such incidents.
Santa Cruz Jail
Posted inLatest News
In-person visits resume at Santa Cruz County women’s jail
In-person visits that were first halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic have resumed at Santa Cruz County’s women’s jail on Blaine Street in Santa Cruz.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Thousands in California’s jails have the right to vote — but here’s why many won’t
While incarcerated Californians who aren’t serving felony sentences are eligible to vote, most county jails don’t make it very easy. A bill on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk would test in-person voting in jails in three counties – including Santa Cruz County.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Sheriff’s failure to reinstate contact visits for inmate families will be a focus at supervisors budget hearing
Santa Cruz County is facing heat for keeping a pandemic pause on contact visitation for jail inmates and their families. County supervisors promise action, but advocates say this continued lack of contact visits has a traumatizing effect on children.
Posted inLatest News
Sheriff’s office confirms hunger strike in Santa Cruz jail as inmates say ‘we are treated abominably’
Five inmates are on a hunger strike in the Santa Cruz Main Jail, and their complaints mirror many of the issues cited in a civil grand jury report earlier this year. A similar demonstration led to changes in the jail in May 2019, but activists say the focus should remain on funding programs and services aimed at rehabilitation.