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Commission examining LA County jail violence convenes
The Citizen's Commission tasked with examining violence inside L.A. County jails held its first meeting today and selected former federal judge Lourdes Baird as chair.
“What we’re planning to do with this commission is hopefully be able to not necessarily report on what is going on, but I believe its going to be more so a question of what recommendations we can make for the future," Baird said.
The group, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, includes former federal judge Dick Tevrizian, former State Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno, Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell and the Rev. Cecil Murray. Two more commission members are yet to be selected. Their work is expected to last six months.
The FBI is investigating reports that L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies regularly brutalize inmates at the Downtown Men’s Central Jail. But Sheriff Lee Baca, who is independently elected, is under no obligation to follow any reforms the commission may suggest.
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