The County of San Diego has reached a settlement agreement, paying $1 million to the family of Ivan Ortiz, a man whose life ended prematurely while under the care of San Diego County jail. This case has ignited a widespread debate about the treatment of inmates with mental health issues in correctional facilities. Ivan Ortiz died by suicide in March 2019, an event his family argues could have been prevented with proper care and oversight.
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Shortly after Ivan Ortiz’s death, his grieving family pursued legal action against the County of San Diego. Their lawsuit contended that the jail staff had ample knowledge of Ortiz’s mental health conditions, including schizophrenia and a pronounced tendency towards suicidality. Despite this knowledge, the necessary precautions to safeguard him against self-harm were grossly inadequate. Brody McBride, representing Ortiz’s family, criticized the systemic failures at the jail, pointing out that incarceration should not be tantamount to a death sentence.
In 2018, Ortiz faced serious charges including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon and was subsequently detained at the San Diego County Central Jail. Reports indicate that during his incarceration, Ortiz experienced significant mental health crises, one of which led him to attempt suicide within the jail. Despite this prior attempt and clear signs of distress noted by jail staff, including a suicide note and verbal admissions of suicidal thoughts on March 17, 2019, the necessary interventions were not implemented effectively.
The Citizen Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) conducted a thorough investigation into Ortiz’s death, which revealed multiple failures in protocol and safety measures. The review highlighted that despite being under suicide watch, Ortiz was able to conceal a plastic bag for nearly twelve hours, which he later used to end his life. The board found that frequent checks and the removal of potential self-harm tools were inadequately enforced, pointing to a larger issue of negligence and failure to adhere to established safety protocols.
In response to the tragic incident and the findings of CLERB, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department acknowledged the shortcomings and revised its inmate safety and suicide prevention policies. Although the department stated its commitment to the safety of all inmates, the family’s attorneys, including Adam Hepburn, argue that the changes are merely superficial and continue to call for more robust enforcement and oversight of the new policies. Maria Palacios, Ortiz’s mother, spoke of her profound loss and expressed hope that future inmates might receive the level of care that could have saved her son.
