Hide Article Text (OCR)
toilet or the screams of a belligerent prisoner echo throughout much of the building.Threat Feared B arrv indicated that protests from public defenders is causing some reconsideration of the recommendation that solid doors be placed on the holding tanks.He said members of the public defender's office have raised fears that solid doors on the holding tanks would pose a threat to the safety of some prisoners.It was pointed out that a person arrested for a relatively minor infraction is subject to being placed in the ho lding tank along with hardened criminals.He further noted that there have been reports of fights and even homosexual attacks in the cells.Barry told The News that the jails committee has found nearly all of the courthouses to be in need of various repairs.At V a n N u y s alone, he said there are more than 50 work orders going back nearly two years which have not been attended to.County ProblemMathew B. Jacobs, deputy director of the county Mechanical Dept, which is responsible for most repairs, told The News that the problem is a countrywide one.He said that approximately two years ago, 00 Mechanical Dept, positions were eliminated during a county hiring freeze and never reinstated.Jacobs asserted bis department could handle the necessary repairs in shortoruer 11 u uau duequciit: lt;• manpower.Despite the manpower s h o r tage. Jacobs said, c m e rgencv repairs are taken care of as soon as their need is brought to the department’s attention.Ask RepaintingAsst. Sheriff Anthony questioned the need for some of the work recommended by the jails committee.For example, Anthony said, the committee called for repainting of many of the holding tanks.And yet, he stated, as soon as walls are painted, they are defaced by the prisoners.Anthony said further that the holding tank cells are kept as clean a.s possible.Lack of PrivacyThey are cleaned thoroughly by custodians every evening, he declared, but rapidly become dirty under crowded conditions.The crowded holding i a n ks present another problem — lack of privacy for prisoners to confer with their attorneys.At Van Xuys, Barrvsaid.' an attorney musttalk to his client through the bars of the holding tank often while sheriff's deputies or court personnel are within earshot and other prisoners are crowding around and making noise.He said public defenders have expressed a reluctance to discuss sensitive cases with theirclients under these conditions.
Newspaper Details
Los Angeles Valley News
Los Angeles, California, US
Sun, Sep 09, 1973
Page 17
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
IL, USA 20 Feb 2025
Other Publications Near Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles Herald
Los Angeles Valley News
Los Angeles Daily Herald
Los Angeles Southern California University Daily Trojan
La Opinion
