One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
O.C. Supervisors Approve More Jail Cameras
Listen
1:29
O.C. Supervisors Approve More Jail Cameras
O.C. Supervisors Approve More Jail Cameras
In the wake of a scathing grand jury report about a deadly inmate beating, Orange County Supervisors are bumping up jail security. They unanimously voted Tuesday to install more surveillance cameras in Theo Lacy Jail in Orange. KPCC's Susan Valot says the supervisors declared it an emergency measure so the cameras can go in right away.
Susan Valot: The grand jury report released last week describes guards at Theo Lacy watching TV as inmates took fellow detainee John Chamberlain to an out-of-sight part of the jail and beat him to death. The grand jury says guards regularly watched TV, played video games, and sent text messages while so-called inmate "shot callers" enforced the rules. Supervisor Chair John Moorlach says the jail needs more surveillance cameras.
John Moorlach: We have inmates that are in jeopardy. We have deputy sheriffs that I think are in jeopardy. I think we have a management tool here that certainly needs to be expedited because even after the release of the transcripts on Monday, we had two deputies, or three, watching another DVD movie on Tuesday. So something needs to be done.
Valot: Supervisor Chris Norby questioned whether the grand jury report constituted something "sudden and unexpected" enough to trigger an emergency measure. There have been rumblings about problems in Orange County jails for years. But in the end, he and the other supervisors agreed to spend $370,000 to install surveillance cameras. They'll monitor blind spots in the jail, and keep a constant eye on places where the guards are supposed to be on duty. It'll be the first time the guard areas will be monitored in Theo Lacy Jail.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
