I am alarmed at the number of deaths in custody, the lack of adequate health care in our jails, and that we are not doing enough to avoid or adapt to climate change. Santa Barbara County requires strong leadership for criminal justice reform and environmental protection. Das Williams provides it on both issues, which is why I support Das’s reelection as 1st District Supervisor.
Four of the 2022-023 Jury’s Reports dealt with five tragic jail deaths. The community and each inmate would have been better served if they were in a mental-health facility or program instead of jail.
The Sheriff’s Office has been ordered by a federal court to provide constitutionally mandated health care in the jails. Das consistently supports programs and funding, but the Sheriff’s Office has failed to implement many of the federal court orders or to provide adequate oversight of the third-party healthcare provider.