Introduction to the Sybil Brand Commission
An oversight body that has documented and exposed substandard jail conditions for decades would cease to exist if the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors moves forward with a cost-cutting plan. L.A. County could save about $40,000 a year by eliminating the Sybil Brand Commission, according to an August report prepared for the supervisors by the board’s Executive Office.
Role of the Sybil Brand Commission
The Sybil Brand Commission’s 10 members serve a key oversight role, regularly conducting unannounced inspections of county jails and lockups. Named for a philanthropist and activist who worked to improve jail conditions for women in L.A. starting in the 1940s, the commission’s findings were recently cited in a state lawsuit over what Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta called a “humanitarian crisis” inside the county jails.
Recent Findings and Lawsuit
“In June 2024, the Sybil Brand Commission reported that multiple dorms at Men’s Central were overcrowded with broken toilets … and ceilings that had been painted over to cover mold,” Bonta’s office wrote in its complaint, which seeks to compel reforms by the county and sheriff’s department. The recommendation to “sunset” the commission comes amid a spike in in-custody deaths with 38 so far this year, which puts the county on track for what Bonta’s office said would mark at least a 20-year high.
Response from the Executive Office
The Executive Office for the Board of Supervisors responded to questions with a statement that said its report’s “purpose was not to eliminate oversight or input,” but to demonstrate “where responsibilities overlap and where efficiencies could strengthen oversight and support.” The unattributed statement said the report found issues with “commissioner availability” that led to meeting cancellations and put “limits on their ability to conduct inspections.”
Opposition to the Proposal
The Sybil Brand Commission took up the possibility of elimination at its meeting earlier this month, when commissioners and advocates railed against the proposal as a shortsighted way to cut costs that will leave county inmates more vulnerable to mistreatment and neglect. “At the back of all this is the fundamental question of whether the board wants oversight at all,” Eric Miller, a Sybil Brand commissioner, said in an interview. Miller added that the “sunsetting of Sybil Brand seems to be part of a persistent attempt to control and limit oversight of the sheriff’s department.”
Alternative Oversight Bodies
The report from the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors said its recommendation to do away with the jail oversight body came after a review of “225 commissions, committees, boards, authorities, and task forces” funded by the county. The proposal would “sunset” six commissions, including Sybil Brand, and “potentially merge” 40 others. The report noted that “jail and detention inspection duties are also monitored by the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission.” However, this commission takes on a broader range of issues within the sheriff’s department and does not conduct frequent tours of jails or publish detailed reports documenting conditions.
Impact on Accountability
Peter Eliasberg, chief counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said the proposal to get rid of the commission is the latest in a recent succession of blows to law enforcement accountability. This includes the ousting of former Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission chair Robert Bonner earlier this year and the introduction of a county policy requiring oversight bodies to submit many of their communications for approval. Eliasberg said losing the Sybil Brand Commission would be a major setback. “Sybil Brand has been incredibly effective in shining a really harsh spotlight on some terrible things going on in the jails,” he said.
Reduction in Inspector General Staff
In a separate move, the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors is reassigning or eliminating a third of Inspector General Max Huntsman’s staff, slashing funding to the watchdog that investigates misconduct by county employees and the sheriff’s department, according to Huntsman. Huntsman told the Probation Oversight Commission that the Executive Office informed him that “a number of positions in my office will be taken away from me and moved to the Executive Office and will no longer be available for independent oversight.” The inspector general added that “there’s a group of staff that have been specifically identified by the Executive Office and taken away, and then there are positions that are curtailed. So the end result is we have a third fewer people, which will impact our operations.”
Conclusion
The proposal to eliminate the Sybil Brand Commission and reduce the staff of the Inspector General’s office raises significant concerns about the future of oversight and accountability in Los Angeles County. While the county may save money in the short term, the long-term consequences of reducing oversight could be severe, leading to further neglect and mistreatment of inmates. The county must carefully consider the potential impacts of these changes and ensure that any reforms prioritize the safety and well-being of both inmates and staff.
FAQs
What is the Sybil Brand Commission?
The Sybil Brand Commission is an oversight body that conducts unannounced inspections of county jails and lockups to ensure that conditions meet basic standards of safety and humanity.
Why is the county considering eliminating the Sybil Brand Commission?
The county is considering eliminating the Sybil Brand Commission as part of a cost-cutting plan, which could save about $40,000 a year.
What are the potential consequences of eliminating the Sybil Brand Commission?
The potential consequences of eliminating the Sybil Brand Commission include reduced oversight and accountability, potentially leading to further neglect and mistreatment of inmates.
How does the Sybil Brand Commission differ from other oversight bodies?
The Sybil Brand Commission is unique in its focus on jail conditions and its practice of conducting unannounced inspections. While other oversight bodies, such as the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, may also monitor jail conditions, they do not have the same level of focus or expertise as the Sybil Brand Commission.
What is the role of the Inspector General’s office?
The Inspector General’s office investigates misconduct by county employees and the sheriff’s department, providing an independent check on power and ensuring that those responsible for misconduct are held accountable.
How will the reduction in staff affect the Inspector General’s office?
The reduction in staff will impact the Inspector General’s office ability to conduct investigations and provide oversight, potentially leading to a decrease in accountability and an increase in misconduct.
