Settlement reached in San Diego County lawsuit regarding mental health care in jail

A settlement has been reached in a significant part of a longstanding class-action lawsuit, mandating that Sheriff Kelly Martinez in San Diego County improve the quality of mental health services within the county’s jails. This agreement, filed in federal court in San Diego, requires the Sheriff’s Office to optimize the treatment of mentally ill individuals in their custody.

The settlement details a commitment from San Diego County to hire additional mental health providers to cater to those incarcerated. Moreover, the agreement stipulates that the federal court will retain oversight over the case to ensure implementation of the proposed reforms. “These are critical steps towards enhancing mental health services for those incarcerated who are struggling with mental illness,” the 52-page agreement stated.

Among the specific terms of the settlement, the sheriff must assign registered nurses to conduct initial screenings during booking and promptly refer individuals in need of clinical attention to a qualified mental health professional. These referrals should occur within specific timeframes depending on the severity of the case. Additionally, an intake nurse will review external medical records of arrested individuals upon booking, evaluate their medication history, and guarantee a seamless continuation of care.

The agreement underscores the necessity for the county to set up and enforce appropriate clinical criteria for each level of mental health care. The sheriff’s office must ensure that individuals meeting the criteria are housed in an appropriate unit and receive adequate treatment. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs expressed their satisfaction with the settlement, emphasizing its broad benefits for anyone incarcerated in San Diego County jails.

The settlement signals a positive move forward according to Gay Grunfeld, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiff. They are optimistic about implementing the terms of the agreement effectively in collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office and an independent mediator. In response, the Sheriff’s Office expressed contentment at resolving the case and anticipates further enhancements in staffing and protocols for jail management, aiming to make San Diego’s jails some of the safest nationwide.

Despite this breakthrough, further litigation is ongoing concerning other claims, such as medical and dental care, safety, environmental health, access to legal assistance, and racial discrimination within the jails. Nonetheless, no trial date has been set for these matters. Earlier on, the county resolved a claim regarding inadequate care provided to individuals with disabilities in custody.

The roots of the class-action lawsuit trace back to 2020 when an incarcerated man named Darryl Dunsmore sued the conditions within San Diego jails. His case, initially brought to light while representing himself, was later taken up by a team of civil rights lawyers who secured the lawsuit’s class-action status. After years of looming over the county and the Sheriff’s Office, the resolution of this lawsuit marks a significant step forward in addressing mental health issues within San Diego County jails.