Murder Highlights Safety Concerns at Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail
A 20 year-old inmate named Jonathan Najera was recently killed by his cellmate at the Los Angeles County's Men's Central Jail facility. Najera had previously expressed concerns for his safety to his attorney who made the judge aware of the situation. He was found dead after his cellmate dragged his body out of their cell during an early morning "pill call." Najera's cellmate confessed to the killing. But no further details have been released.
Inmate safety has been a concern for inmates, their families and defense attorney for many years. Typically, if there is an inmate safety concern, attorneys have a duty to express these concerns to the judge in the courtroom where the inmate's case is being handled. The judge is then supposed to submit an order to the Sheriff's Department ordering them to review the housing of the inmate and make changes, if appropriate. Inmates and attorneys may also express safety concerns to the Sheriff's Department's Operation Safe Jails (OSJ) at Las Angeles Men's Central Jail. OSJ is then supposed to evaluate the situation and make any appropriate changes to the inmate's housing.
In Najera's case, although his attorney did express to the judge the safety concerns and the judge did ask the Sheriff's Department to reevaluate Najera's housing situation, sheriff's officials stated that they never received the judge's request.
