As residents of San Mateo County, we rely on our elected officials to provide oversight and ensure accountability and transparency in our local institutions. However, recent events have highlighted a concerning gap in oversight regarding the alarming rate of inmate deaths of incarcerated people at the San Mateo County Jail – five deaths since January 2023.
It is important to say their names.
Maycarla Fernando Sulapas from South San Francisco, age 25, died on January 7, 2023.
Peter Edward McLaughlin from Pacifica, age 64, died on October 20, 2023.
Ronald Simmons from San Bruno, age 34, died on October 21, 2023.
Very little has been released about the most recent deaths on January 14 and March 15 of this year – including their name, race, city, or cause of death. One was a 23-year-old man, and the other was a 46-year-old man. One was in the detox unit, and the other was a suspected suicide.
Despite requests to those organizations vested with oversight authority, the Board of Supervisors, Superior Court of California, and County of San Mateo, no action has been taken to have a truly independent investigation of the disturbing trend of inmate deaths. This lack of response is not only disappointing but raises serious questions about the commitment of those entities to uphold their responsibilities to the public. While other issues garner immediate attention and swift action, the loss of lives within our county jail seems to be met with indifference.
We do not know why any of them were arrested, but we do know that our jail, like jails all around the country, is serving as a de facto mental health and drug facility because there are not enough treatment options in the community.
Research shows that mental health conditions are often exacerbated in jail – it is not a good setting.
And jail is not a place for detox. There are serious risks, including death, during detox. Research shows that detox should be provided in a medical setting, where staff can focus on health issues.
Is there a pattern here? Can our County develop alternatives to jail for people with mental health or substance abuse issues who are arrested for nonviolent crimes that might be directly related to these issues, as research shows is often the case?
At the same time, our jail is very understaffed, and correctional officers and deputies have expressed concern about long shifts and vacancies. The Sheriff and command staff have on occasion even had to work jail shifts due to lack of staffing. Alternatives to incarceration would help to alleviate staffing issues.
We don’t know who to ask to find out more or to help find better solutions. Other counties with oversight have an Inspector General who does an independent investigation of the incidents and looks at patterns and systemic issues.
And more concerning, we don’t see any sense of urgency about it. Everyone has a mom or family who cares what happened to them. We should do better be those we incarcerate, remembering that the majority have not been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent by law.
In a community where transparency and accountability are paramount, the absence of formal reports and a truly independent investigation into these deaths is deeply troubling. While other issues garner immediate attention and swift action, the loss of lives within our county jail seems to be met with indifference.
Furthermore, measures must be put in place to prevent future tragedies. The safety and well-being of all individuals within our county’s correctional facilities must be a top priority.
The families of these men, as well as the residents of San Mateo County, deserve answers. We demand accountability from our elected officials and oversight bodies. It is imperative that these deaths be thoroughly independently investigated and the findings made public to ensure justice for the deceased and their families. The public deserves nothing less than full transparency and accountability from those safeguarding our community. Remember, it was recently reported by several news outlets that San Mateo County is the wealthiest county in California.
See this editorial at the RWC Pulse.