Lawsuit Alleges Inadequate Care at Monterey County Jail

Last week, the Monterey County Public Defender's Office filed a lawsuit that aims to improve health care and mental health care services at the Monterey County Jail. The complaint calls the jail's medical and mental health care services "woefully inadequate." It adds, "Severe overcrowding, outdate facilities and chronic under-staffing have created dangerous conditions in the jail, placing prisoners and staff at serious risk of injury and death."

• "Monterey County Public Defender's Office Sues County, Sheriff's Office Over Jail Conditions" (Reynolds, Monterey Herald, 5/28).