Inspections at Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles have uncovered severe neglect and unsanitary conditions. During an October 2024 inspection, Sybil Brand Commissioner Haley Broder found mold coating ceilings and walls, contributing to respiratory issues among inmates. Many inmates were coughing, and the air was stuffy and smoky, making it difficult to breathe even with a mask, as reported by Corrections1.
The jail, opened in 1963, has long been criticized for its deteriorating infrastructure. Inspections revealed that nearly half of the 26 cells lacked functioning lights, and water had been cut off in several cells, forcing inmates to share water using makeshift methods. Trash and discarded meals piled up, and insect bites were visible on inmates’ arms and faces.
Broder, who has worked in war-torn countries, described the conditions as some of the worst she has seen. She noted that inmates had not received basic hygiene kits and were using book pages as toilet paper. Reports of rat infestations, mold, and insufficient cleaning supplies were common.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has agreed on the need to close the jail, but plans have stalled. Sheriff Robert Luna has advocated for replacing the facility with a modern Care Campus, but supervisors oppose building more jails. Meanwhile, thousands of inmates continue to live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.
The Sheriff’s Department has acknowledged the aging infrastructure and is pushing for improvements. However, many argue that more immediate action is needed to address the neglect and ensure humane conditions for inmates. The department has implemented a pilot program to improve meal temperatures and claims to have resolved a temporary supply chain shortage affecting hygiene kits.
The Sybil Brand Commission continues to call for corrective action, emphasizing that the status quo is unacceptable.
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