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Civilian Oversight Commission votes to endorse closure of Men—s Central Jail with no locked replacement
Summary
On May 7 the Los Angeles County Civilian Oversight Commission voted to affirm support for closing Men—s Central Jail and opposed any new locked replacement; commissioners and public commenters urged the Board of Supervisors to fund year-one closure actions in the current budget cycle.
The Los Angeles County Civilian Oversight Commission for Institutional Inspections voted May 7 to affirm a formal position: the commission supports closure of Men—s Central Jail and opposes the development or expansion of any new locked replacement facility.
Commissioners debated and then took a roll-call vote after a motion to "affirmatively take the stance for the closure of Men—s Central Jail with no new locked replacement." The motion passed by roll call (members voting in favor included Chair Haley Broer; past chair and other commissioners present; two commissioners were absent). The meeting transcript records the motion—s passage and public support.
Public commenters urged faster action and funding. Marcela Rosen of Dignity Empower Now said during virtual public comment, "I appreciate this board making an official stance on that and supportive of our work moving forward in closing men central jail." Janet A., a Dignity & Power Now organizer, said the ongoing delays in presenting a jail-closure implementation plan put lives at risk and urged immediate funding for Year 1 of the closure plan. Anthony Robas and other advocates reiterated that the County is in a budget cycle and asked the Board of Supervisors to finance the first phase urgently.
Why it matters: The commission—s vote adds a formally recorded local oversight position in favor of closure and opposing a new locked replacement. Commissioners said the motion reflects repeated inspection findings of dangerous and unsanitary conditions across county jails and a steady number of in-custody deaths this year.
What happens next: The commission said it will transmit the vote and the 2025 annual report to the Board of Supervisors and will continue to press for written follow-up from the Sheriff—s Department on inspection findings. Community advocates asked the Board to fund the jail-closure implementation team—s year-one budget in the current budget cycle so decarceration and services can begin promptly.
Provenance: Motion and vote introduced and recorded at SEG 3466—SEG 3739; public comments urging closure at SEG 2379—SEG 2466.
