A review of local jails found that inmate complaints often fall on deaf ears and that a lack of oversight allows guards to conceal their own misconduct.
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Sheriff’s Office Still Coy about Use of Force in Local Jails
It wasn’t until December, under mounting public pressure, that the Sheriff's Office disclosed its jail use-of-force and cell extraction policies.
2016 Year in Preview: Jails, Rep. Honda, Police and Pot
Last week we ran through the biggest stores of 2015 in our annual Year in Review. As we pivot to a New Year, here's a look at the stories to come.
‘Troubling Cluster’ of Complaints Stem from Jail Graveyard Shift
Correctional officers at Santa Clara County's Main Jail are apparently more likely to use force against inmates during the night shift.
Lawsuit Challenges County Jails’ Use of Solitary Confinement
A new class action lawsuit brought by two inmates claims Santa Clara County’s use of solitary confinement is inhumane and unconstitutional.
Jails Commission Might Disband
A commission assigned to investigate local jails meets Saturday. Its first order of business: deciding whether to call the whole thing off.
Questions Persist on Deputy Who Turned Away Murder Suspect
A deputy’s confounding decision to turn away a murder suspect placed Santa Clara County’s troubled jails in the national spotlight.
Sheriff’s Office Revises Crisis Intervention, Anti-Bias Training
In response to the beating death of a mentally ill inmate, Santa Clara County will make require crisis intervention training for sheriff’s deputies.
Former SJ Police Auditor to Lead Blue Ribbon Jail Commission
San Jose's retired civilian police auditor, LaDoris Cordell, will lead a task force assigned to investigate Santa Clara County's jails.
Blue Ribbon Commission for County Jails Seeks Applications
Santa Clara County is accepting applications for a commission that will examine local jails in response to the fatal beating of a mentally ill inmate.
County Calls for ‘Blue Ribbon’ Commission, Audit of Local Jails
Following the beating death of a mentally ill inmate, Santa Clara County leaders have called for a top-to-bottom investigation of local jails.
Correctional Officers Formally Charged with Murder, Assault
Three correctional officers arrested last week on suspicion of beating to death an inmate have been officially charged with murder.
Requests to Carry Hidden Guns Skyrocket in Santa Clara County
Extensive records requests San Jose Inside filed with law enforcement agencies across the Bay Area show that the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office has become ground zero for concealed weapon permit requests.
How the Game Has Changed
For years political mail and TV commercials have made up the bulk of campaign spending. But it’s clear that the same tired tactics are not working.
Telephone Town Hall Addresses Race, Police, Public Trust
Taking a cue from PBS' "America: After Ferguson," county leaders are inviting the public to dial into a telephone town hall Sunday to talk about race, law enforcement and community trust.
State of the County: Cortese Calls 2015 a ‘Year of Opportunity’
Delivering the annual State of the County address to a packed Montgomery Theater, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Dave Cortese called 2015 a "year of opportunity." He outlined a plan to advance affordable housing initiatives while improving public safety and public health. “Working together, we can seize on the opportunity to better our community,” Cortese said.
