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Rules Committee advances Lisonbee Ganter to lead in‑custody death review; lawmakers ask about enforcement and training
Summary
The Senate Rules Committee moved Lisonbee Ganter’s nomination for director of the in‑custody death review to the full Senate, pressing her on the division’s authority, investigator training and how findings will be turned into statewide standards after audits such as San Diego’s.
The Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday voted to advance Lisonbee Ganter’s nomination to serve as director of California’s new in‑custody death review office and move the appointment to the full Senate after senators queried her about enforcement authority, investigator training and how reviews will translate into stronger statewide standards.
Ganter, who described nearly 30 years of work inspecting and overseeing local detention facilities, told the committee she has already increased transparency and inspections at the Board of State and Community Corrections and wants to use reviews, data collection and recommendations to prevent future in‑custody deaths.
"It is my vision to continue to have these hard conversations and understand the causes of in custody death in order to prevent them in the future," Ganter said. She described meeting with families and law enforcement and said the new office will produce reviews with recommendations that counties must respond to.
Lawmakers pressed for clarity about the office’s authority. Senators asked whether investigators would have subpoena power (they do not), whether investigators would have post‑certified law enforcement training (inspectors are required to have correctional supervisory background or receive specified post training) and how the state will compel or encourage local facilities to act on recommendations.
Ganter said the division has no formal statewide enforcement power; instead the office will publish reviews and use data and revised minimum standards to create pressure and incentive for compliance. She said the board requires facilities to respond to recommendations and that the division will convert lessons from individual reviews and audits into stronger regulations and best practices.
Committee members repeatedly cited the San Diego audit as the impetus for new legislation and said they expected the new office to convert audits and investigations into practical and enforceable improvements. Ganter said the board has strengthened safety‑check regulations and screening for mental‑health needs since the San Diego audit and will continue work to codify best practices statewide.
Action: A committee motion to advance Ganter’s nomination carried; the committee recorded votes that ultimately moved the nomination to the full Senate with a 5–0 recorded tally.
Next steps: The nomination will be considered by the full Senate for final confirmation.
