'Jail 101' report: Denver sheriff's dept. needs systemic improvement to protect inmates and deputies
A consultant’s report released Thursday says the Denver sheriff’s office needs new leadership, new policies and systemic training to keep prison inmates and deputies safe and prevent potential litigation.
The report (PDF) by Hillard Heintze was requested by Denver’s mayor last year following litigation that cost the city more than $9 million in settlements and legal fees, the Associated Press reports.
The Denver Post also has a story about the report, which pointed to problems as basic as the lack of an effective computer system and failing to keep track of inmates who are in court or in the hospital.
“Some of these things are what I would call Jail 101,” Sheriff Elias Diggins said. “They are things we should be doing and we can do and we will do”
A search is now underway to find a new sheriff.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “See the video: Inmate slammed into window frame during court hearing files $5M civil rights lawsuit”
ABAJournal.com: “Jury awards record $4.65M in death of homeless street preacher restrained by sheriff’s deputies”
Denver Post: “Denver to pay $6 million in Marvin Booker jail death settlement”
