How Jail Deaths Are Hidden from Public Scrutiny

In San Diego County, when someone dies in jail, the public usually only gets a name, age, and charges. The rest stays hidden unless a family sues. Karim Talib, 82, died in the San Diego Central Jail in July. The Sheriff’s Office released little info. His family was hard to find. Three inmates near Talib saw his condition worsen. They said he was confused, in a wheelchair, and wore only a shirt and diaper. His cell smelled bad. They yelled for help, but he lay in his own waste, barely moving. One inmate saw him with feces on his shirt and diaper. He was wheeled out to clean his cell but returned dirty. The Medical Examiner said Talib died from heart disease and a kidney infection. His autopsy didn’t explain how he got the infection or if jail conditions helped it spread. It also didn’t say if staff ignored warning signs or gave him proper care. A 2017 law makes autopsy reports less detailed. Before, they gave more info. Now, medical history is often cut out. The Sheriff’s Office can also hide records like videos and reports. They say it’s for investigations, but records stay sealed for years. A new board can now review medical care in jail deaths. But it’s too late for Talib. The public should know if jail conditions cause deaths. Talib’s case shows why. His autopsy tells what killed him, but not if it could have been prevented.