Contraband, drugs at Santa Rita Jail 'serious and persistent challenge,' grand jury finds
The Alameda County civil grand jury released findings citing that the flow of contraband, especially drugs, are the most "serious and persistent challenge" faced at Santa Rita Jail.
Oakland man dies after struggle, swallowing wristband at Santa Rita Jail
The family of Jose "Nick" Cardenas have unanswered questions after their loved one died at the hospital about three weeks after he was taken into custody – and then released – from Santa Rita Jail.
Alameda County Sheriff-Elect Yesenia Sanchez is 1st Latina to hold the office
Alameda County Sheriff-elect Yesenia Sanchez says she did not expect to win the election outright to unseat the incumbent candidate with 16 years on the job. She makes history to become the first woman and Latina to hold the office.
Cellmate charged with murdering Oakland longshoreman at Santa Rita Jail deemed incompetent
A Northern California man who was charged with murdering his cellmate at Santa Rita Jail has been deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Months later, families have questions about the deaths of 2 men at Santa Rita Jail
Two family members have reached out to KTVU in the hopes of finding answers to why their loved ones died at Santa Rita Jail. They are among the 58 in-custody deaths there since 2014.
Family sues Santa Rita Jail after woman dies of drug overdose
The daughter and father of Lee Esther Anderson sued Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern alleging that drug detection policies are lax, after the 41-year-old woman died of a fentanyl overdose.
Activists call on Alameda County supervisors to provide more mental health services
A group of activists rallied outside the Alameda County Board of Supervisors office to demand better services for people with mental illness. They are angry that a large portion of money is used to fund Santa Rita Jail.
Judge grants oversight over Santa Rita Jail stemming from mental health abuse suit
A federal magistrate granted outside oversight over Alameda County's Santa Rita Jail following allegations that those with mental illness are not treated humanely. The oversight will last six years.
San Diego jails fail to curb inmate deaths; Alameda County has highest in-custody death payout
Inmate deaths in San Diego County jails have ranked among the highest in California for the past 15 years and authorities have consistently failed to address the problem. Alameda County is not too far behind.
Alameda County agrees with the incarcerated: Santa Rita Jail needs overhaul
Alameda County counsel's comments came at the end of the hearing, which included dozens of incarcerated people telling the judge that conditions in the jail are terrible, from the nearly inedible food to deputies assaulting them and turning off their body cameras during some of these events.
Protest at Santa Rita Jail over 'inedible' food and rising commissary prices
About two dozen incarcerated people at Santa Rita Jail say they are on a hunger strike over what they describe an inedible food – sometimes found with rodent droppings inside – as well as rising commissary food prices, which they say is becoming more difficult to afford.
Federal judge delays decision on 'consent decree' overseeing Santa Rita Jail
In a virtual court hearing that lasted more than two hours, a federal judge delayed making a decision on what's called a "consent decree" between attorneys representing people who are mentally ill and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, which oversees Santa Rita Jail.
Questions linger after former Oakland football standout dies at Santa Rita Jail
Two months after Maurice Monk, a college football standout and a father of two, died at Santa Rita Jail, his family has lingering questions. They also want treatment for those with mental illness and who are incarcerated to change.
COVID causes backlogs in courts across U.S. and Bay Area - again
In Alameda County in particular, it's a transportation issue, as there are too many positive-testing deputies and incarcerated people at Santa Rita Jail to get them safely in front of a judge and jury.
1st in-custody death of 2022 occurs at Santa Rita Jail
The first in-custody death of 2022 has occurred at Santa Rita Jail.
New FBI affidavit reveals how woman smuggled deadly dose of fentanyl into Santa Rita Jail
A new FBI affidavit reveals how a 41-year-old woman died this spring in Santa Rita Jail – a fellow inmate gave her fentanyl, which she snuck into the facility by hiding in her private parts.
As in-custody deaths rise, activists demand investigation of Santa Rita Jail
This year, seven people have died at the Dublin facility and there have been a total of 56 in-custody deaths since 2014, according to a review of data and autopsies by KTVU.
Activists protest Santa Rita Jail legal settlement; another in-custody death reported
A group of activists protested a pending legal settlement aimed at improving the mental health care inside Santa Rita Jail on Thursday, as news of another death occurred inside the Dublin facility.
Security guard arrested after not wearing mask on bus dies in Santa Rita Jail
The story of what happened to Maurice Monk, a 45-year-old security guard who suffered from mental illness and who died in a cell on Monday, raises questions about the care he received while incarcerated and why he was in Santa Rita Jail in the first place.
2 deaths at Santa Rita jail, including longshoreman killed days before his release
Two men died this week at Santa Rita Jail; one from a likely homicide days before his release and another from what appears to be natural causes, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. Authorities are looking into what caused the "sudden act of violence."