Grieving families call for accountability and action following dozens of in-custody deaths

This brief was written by Daniel Potter, a San Diego Documenters editor.

Grieving San Diego families are calling for action and accountability from the group tasked with investigating the in-custody deaths of their loved ones.

Nearly a dozen family members spoke at the Sept. 3 San Diego County Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board meeting. Many gave harrowing details about the deaths of their loved ones while incarcerated at various San Diego County detention centers, deaths which they say should have been prevented. 

A lack of effort to prevent illegal drugs from entering detention facilities was one of the most common accusations leveled against the San Diego County Sheriff’s department. Other accusations include a lack of timely medical treatment, failure to follow procedure regarding cell checks, and an inability to get information about the status of loved ones who were being held.

Brenda Settles’ son Matthew Settles died by suicide at the George Bailey Detention Facility in August 2022. She says she knew her son, who suffered from severe mental illness, was in danger but that her calls for help went unanswered.

“I called and called and said, ‘My son is at risk. I know. I can tell,’ ” Settles said. “Can I talk to someone on his care team? Can I have any connection at all? And they said no.”

Speakers also included Yusef Miller of the North County Equity and Justice Coalition. Miller called the situation a “serious crisis” and says the problem is only going to get worse in light of policies that allow the arrest of homeless individuals. He urged the CLERB to be proactive in protecting the lives and dignity of those in custody. 

Among those in attendance was the new executive officer of CLERB, Brett Kalina. He said he is a “huge advocate of transparency” and accountability and would meet with and address the communities concerns once he has had adequate time to get “caught up.”