Committee advances Lisonbee Ganter as first director of in-custody death review after questions on authority and inspections

Lisonbee Ganter, nominee to lead California's new in-custody death review office, was advanced to the full Senate by the Senate Rules Committee on May 21 following a confirmation hearing that examined the office's authority, inspection practices and plans to reduce in-custody deaths.

Ganter, introduced by the committee as the state's first director for the office established to review deaths in local detention facilities, said she is "humbled and grateful" for the appointment and described a multi-decade career conducting local detention facility inspections. She told the committee her office will emphasize transparency, data collection, recommendations and support for families, and said her team has already more than doubled the number of facility inspections.

Senators pressed Ganter on whether the office has enforcement powers and how the division will compel local facilities to act on recommendations. Ganter said the board lacks direct enforcement authority but that statute already requires sheriff's departments to respond to recommendations, and that the division will convert findings into stronger, data-based minimum standards and best practices. She said the division will publish reports and use transparency to drive change.

The committee asked about investigator qualifications and training. Ganter said field representatives conducting inspections are recruited from candidates with correctional or law-enforcement supervisory experience, and that the office plans to send staff through required post-training for death investigations and correctional practices. Committee members asked whether investigators have subpoena power; Ganter replied they do not.

Senators also discussed San Diego-specific issues and earlier audits that prompted creation of the review office. Ganter said prior audits identified gaps in safety checks and intake mental-health screening; the review office has strengthened regulations on safety checks and will turn case reviews and recommendations into statewide improvements in minimum standards.

Ganter told the committee, "My goal is to make a positive impact at both the facility and the statewide level," and emphasized listening to families while working with law enforcement and local authorities. The committee moved Ganter's nomination to the Senate floor; the clerk announced a recorded committee vote sending the nomination forward (the committee reported a 5 to 0 result on the final roll).