SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Since 2016, San Diego County taxpayers have paid more than $42 million to settle jail-related claims or lawsuits.
According to public records obtained by CBS 8, last year saw the largest annual amount with $17.15 million for those who were injured or died while in the custody of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
The payouts range from as little as a few hundred dollars to pay for inadequate medical care to more than $9 million to Colleen Garot who, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, suffered a debilitating stroke after jail medical staff failed to treat her for a traumatic brain injury.
Other large payouts include $7.75 million to Frankie Greer who fell off of his bunk and injured his brain due to deputies and jail staff not providing him his seizure medication as well as $4.35 million to a woman who gouged both eyes out in jail as nurses and deputies refused to place her into a 'safe cell' to prevent her from self-harm while experiencing drug-induced psychosis.
Hover over each name for more details. The size of each circle is related to the payout amount.
As the taxpayers continue to pay to settle jail-related lawsuits, San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez is moving forward with a $500 million plan to reform and renovate county jails to improve conditions inside especially for those with mental health and substance abuse needs.
The Sheriff's plan comes after state auditors criticized the department in 2022 for its handling of inmate deaths which found 185 people died between 2006 and 2020, one of the highest totals among counties nationwide.
