Report Claims Santa Barbara County Jail 'Actively Neglects' Prisoners with Disabilities

Santa Maria Sun
Media Coverage

Report Claims Santa Barbara County Jail 'Actively Neglects' Prisoners with Disabilities

"Disability Rights California (DRC) found evidence that Santa Barbara County Jail practices violate the rights of prisoners with disabilities, according to the agency’s report on the April 2015 inspection of the jail.

The report listed the jail’s main violations as: undue and excessive isolation and solitary confinement, inadequate mental health care, and denial of rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). DRC identified these issues through a monitoring visit and interviews with prisoners and their families and attorneys.

DRC managing attorney Melinda Bird said the most urgent concern—and the most easily fixed—is the jail’s use of safety cells."