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Dear Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office,
NAMI San Mateo County and the NAMI Advocacy Committee are deeply concerned about the recent deaths at Maguire Jail, where five individuals have died since January 2023. Based on available information, it appears that two of these deaths were suicides, and two were drug-related.
We urge the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the sheriff’s office to initiate an independent review of these deaths to identify preventive measures for future incidents. Additionally, we ask the commission to request the Board of Supervisors convene experts to study best practices and develop and fund enhanced diversion services to save lives.
Sheriff Christina Corpus has noted that approximately 70% of individuals booked into San Mateo County’s Maguire Correctional Facility are addicted to alcohol or drugs, and around 48% have a mental illness. Two-thirds of all incarcerated individuals leave the facility within five days. These percentages have been rising in recent years.
While the sheriff has strengthened mental health and substance abuse services within the jail, these units, staffed with some medical personnel, still function within the correctional environment. Correctional officers and deputies are not trained to handle addiction and mental health crises, despite the long-standing use of jails and prisons as de facto mental health institutions. This practice is ineffective, inhumane, and financially wasteful.
We need more community resources to offer safe and effective diversion. The Behavioral Health Commission has recommended a 24-hour drop-in crisis center as an alternative to jail when appropriate and NAMI San Mateo County supports this recommendation.
With the implementation of the new crisis response system through a contract for a Mobile Crisis Response Team with Telecare, we have the opportunity to lead the way in saving lives by planning and building a more robust diversion capacity.
Deaths in jails are increasing statewide, with suicides being the second most common cause.
Research shows that mental health conditions worsen in jail settings, which are not designed for treatment. As the California Budget and Policy Center has stated, “While California must continue to improve health care for people who are incarcerated, reforms are also needed to address the connections between mental health and the criminal justice system so that Californians who need mental health treatment receive the appropriate care in a timely manner rather than being confined in state prisons or county jails.”
Those under the influence of drugs may act out violently and be subject to arrest, but jail is not a suitable environment for drug treatment. Detoxification is a medically risky process that should occur in a clinical facility, not a jail. In 2019, NPR reported that “About 80% of all detoxification for drugs and alcohol happens in jails and prisons. And nationally, in the last 10 years, counties and states have paid out well over $70 million for addiction withdrawal-related deaths of inmates.”
The deaths in the county jail, all involved individuals housed at Maguire Jail who were booked but not tried or convicted, have raised significant questions and should prompt an independent review. Key concerns include whether different treatment options could have saved lives, such as immediate medical assessments at a secure substance treatment facility, screening for mental health crises, or intervention by an unarmed crisis response team. The circumstances of their arrests, potential for medical evaluations to reveal critical illnesses, and the adequacy of suicide risk screenings are under scrutiny. A review would aim to identify lessons and improvements to prevent future deaths in custody.
We strongly advocate for the development of safe and secure medical facilities to manage these challenging cases in a clinical setting by trained professionals in mental health and substance abuse. This approach will not only save lives but also ensure that resources are used effectively. Thank you for your attention to this important matter,
Sincerely,
Chris Rasmussen
President NAMI San Mateo County
