Lake County Jail inmates cry foul

Sheriff disputes complaints, which resemble those in pending federal lawsuit
NWI Times Article

CROWN POINT | Five recent detainees at the Lake County Jail are reporting ongoing conditions that are the subject of a potential class action lawsuit filed last year.

The recent complaints allege overcrowded holding cells in which dozens of inmates sleep on bare concrete floors for days at time and are denied showers, a change of clothes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and even an adequate supply of menstrual pads.

Similar conditions are the topic of a lawsuit filed in May 2008 by the Chicago law firm of Loevy & Loevy on behalf of seven plaintiffs who contend the holding cells get so crowded inmates sleep nearly on top of one another. The suit claims the holding cells are so unsanitary they become “life threatening” breeding grounds for dangerous infections.

Medical care is nearly nonexistent, with medication withheld for weeks, and the food is so lacking in nutrition that detainees’ weight and health are jeopardized, the suit alleges. The lawsuit contends 39 additional detainees have provided affidavits describing similar conditions.

In recent weeks, five detainees, one of whom remains in custody, have contacted The Times complaining of sleeping on the concrete floor in unheated cells with a single overflowing toilet and without blankets, showers or other basics of daily care.

“You can’t get enough food to survive,” one man said. “People are fighting over food.”

Detainees describe breakfast as a 6-ounce box of cereal and a small carton of milk, followed by a sandwich with one slice of bologna and two pieces of bread with a dab of jelly for lunch and dinner. Breakfast used to include a Twinkie, they say, but no longer.

“You have to keep beating on the door to keep reminding them you need toilet paper or (menstrual) pads,” a woman said, claiming the pads are limited to three a day.

“I know it’s a jail and not a hotel, but they could treat people decently,” the woman said.

“I had to lay on the concrete for so long I have bruises on my hips,” another man said, describing conditions as “inhumane.”

Lake County Sheriff Rogelio “Roy” Dominguez defended his jail staff, saying the jail is monitored to insure compliance with the rules. He provided copies of a recent state inspection that cited no special problems in the holding cells.

“Are there issues in the jail? There are for sure,” Dominguez said. “With the number of people coming into the jail and no additional staff, there’s only so much they can do.”

Dominguez cited the closing of local jails, including the one in Gary, and reduced funding as contributing to any problems.

“(Staff) assured me they are getting meals, and sanitary needs are addressed,” he said. “We address as much as we can.”

John Kopack, attorney for the Sheriff’s Department, said the jail has a grievance procedure that inmates must follow if they have a complaint.

“If you don’t file a grievance, you don’t have a complaint,” Kopack said.

Detainees are informed of the grievance procedure when they are booked into the jail, he said. The grievance process begins with notifying the nearest correctional officer and can wind its way up to the sheriff if unresolved, he said.