Major mental health care reforms proposed at Santa Rita Jail with legal agreement
As part of what's called a "consent decree," the two sides have agreed on giving incarcerated people better mental health care, reducing the number of people in isolation and giving people many more hours a week out of their cells, among some of the examples.
Woman who complained of roaches, bird droppings at Santa Rita Jail dies of possible drug overdose
A woman who had written a blog complaining of conditions at Santa Rita Jail has died in custody, possibly of a drug overdose; she marks the third death at the Dublin facility this year and the 51st person to die there since 2014, according to data collected by KTVU.
Santa Rita Jail's medical provider is target of lawsuits, complaints about lack of care
Five years since Alameda County dumped Santa Rita Jail's healthcare provider, Corizon Health, and hired Wellpath to take over, claims of medical mistakes or a lack of oversight have persisted, calling into question what, if anything, has changed.
Alameda County pushes back on DOJ report that found Santa Rita Jail conditions 'unconstitutional'
Alameda County is pushing back on a scathing U.S. Department of Justice report that found the mental health care and overuse of isolation at Santa Rita Jail are "unconstitutional."
DOJ finds mental health care, overuse of isolation at Santa Rita Jail unconstitutional
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division issued a damning report, saying the mental health care system in Alameda County, and in particular, Santa Rita Jail, violate parts of the Constitution.
Woman takes own life at Santa Rita Jail; some in custody only get 1 hour a week out of cell
These latest two suicides bring the total number of people killed at Santa Rita Jail to 50 since 2014. That is the highest number of in-custody deaths of any jail in the Bay Area.
California auditor: Santa Rita Jail lacks information on inmate mental health, has surplus of $135M
The state auditor on Wednesday issued a lengthy report criticizing three jails in California, singling out Santa Rita Jail for not sharing enough information about the mental health of incarcerated people and having an excess surplus of $135 million, much of which wasn't reported properly.
Man who died by suicide at Santa Rita Jail had been in coronavirus quarantine
While Jonas Park had known substance abuse problems, his mother and a civil rights attorney question whether more could have been done for him - including sending in a mental health counselor, giving him more free time out of his cell and making sure he could call his relatives - knowing his mental state and family history.
Veteran law enforcement officer running to unseat longtime Alameda County sheriff
Capt. Michael Carroll has served 25-years in the sheriff's office, and says there have been several controversies during his time there, including inmate suicides and charges of wrongdoing by deputies.
Deputies and incarcerated people to get vaccinated at Santa Rita Jail
Sgt. Ray Kelly said the plan is to vaccination all 1,650 employees who "have been on the front lines serving county residents during the pandemic." Incarcerated people will start to get the vaccines next week.
Mystery shrouds 1st suicide reported at Santa Rita jail in 13 months
While the name and circumstances of the person who committed suicide are not known, it does end a 13-month stretch at the jail where no one committed suicide, the subject of a federal lawsuit against the Sheriff's Office.
State agency cites Alameda County Sheriff after COVID-related deaths of deputy, technician
The citation also doesn't mention Deputy Oscar Rocha or technician Valerie Leon by name. It merely states that the investigation into workplace safety was "fatality initiated."
Pair of Black progressive women hope to unseat Alameda County DA, sheriff
Civil rights attorney Pamela Price is running for a second time to unseat District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, who has held the seat since 2010. First-time candidate JoAnn Walker, a San Francisco police officer of 25 years who lives in Hayward, is running to oppose Sheriff Gregory Ahern, who has held his seat and ran unopposed since 2007.
Civil rights activists blast coronavirus outbreaks at Santa Rita Jail
The activists are demanding a state takeover of the jail, better testing and medical care, and the release of more eligible inmates, among other demands.
Santa Rita Jail experiences 2nd big coronavirus outbreak
As of Thursday, 76 inmates and six workers at Santa Rita Jail have tested positive.
Man released from Santa Rita steals golf cart to get to BART: sheriff
Authorities found the cart in one piece, but now they are looking to give that man a ride back to jail, on a theft charge.
Attorneys concerned Santa Rita Jail's population near pre-COVID levels
Civil rights lawyers fear the virus will spread through Santa Rita Jail, which as of this week, held 2,224 people, reflecting a nearly 24% increase in May.
Alameda County to pay $5M to Fremont family of young man chained to Santa Rita Jail door
Christian Madrigal's parents have been grieving since he died last June after they called 911 to get him mental help after he experienced some sort of psychotic break after experimenting with mushrooms about two weeks prior.
Santa Rita Jail creates COVID Compliance Unit; inmate attorneys worry about rising population
Capt. Dan Brodie is head of Santa Rita Jail's COVID-19 Compliance Unit.
Public defender encourages incarcerated people at Santa Rita to vote
The videos were produced by the Public Defender’s V.O.I.C.E. project. They describe who is eligible to vote and provide instructions for how to vote from jail.