After a 17-month investigation initiated by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, the Department of Justice has released a report finding that Cook County Jail “systematically violates inmates" federal constitutional rights. The Sun-Times has more:
- The jail failed to adequately protect inmates from harm and serious risk of harm — including excessive use of force by staff and violence by other inmates.
- Failure to provide adequate medical and mental health care — including suicide prevention.
- Failure to provide safety and sanitation — “all resulting in unconstitutional living conditions,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s office
Thankfully, U.S. prosecutors can now force a correction of deficiencies at the county jail, which are a long time coming. As you may remember, this is the same institution where a 2004 Cook County special grand jury found widespread abuses, including a massive beating of inmates by guards in 1999.
Comments
Post new comment
Progress Illinois' intention is to foster community and to maintain a comfortable and constructive blogging environment. While we encourage and appreciates different points of view, we do not consider it our duty to give a voice to anybody with an opinion.
Discussion on this site is moderated. All comments submitted will be automatically held for review by the editors before posting. Your comment will not appear on the site until it has been approved.
We will not publish comments that we consider:
Please leave a name or nickname when commenting, as it makes it easier for others to respond directly.