Scathing report on county jail spurs vow of change

CLEVELAND >> The shortstaffed county jail in Cleveland keeps inmates in inhumane conditions, sometimes failing to provide proper food, health care and basics like toilet paper, and locks up juveniles in the same unit as adults, according to a scathing new report released by the U.S. Marshals Service.

The Cuyahoga County jail was reviewed following at least six inmate deaths in a four-month span from early June to early October, including some that were considered suicides. Jail officials didn’t investigate or document what led to the deaths, according to the report made public this week.

The former jail director abruptly resigned after the review. Now administrators are vowing to make changes and hold jail leadership accountable.

County Executive Armond Budish said he asked local U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott to have experts review the downtown jail to see how it measures up to the federal agency’s high standards, and the report shows it falls far short.

“This must change, and it will change,” Budish said in a statement promising development of a comprehensive plan to address problems and keep inmates and staff safe. He said some steps already are being taken, including consolidating responsibility for medical services and having an internal auditor review policies and management of inmate records.