Grim Toll: Alarming Spike in Deaths at Pima County Jail

Between the steel gates of the Pima County Adult Detention Center, an alarming number of detainees have been dying for years, many awaiting trial or serving sentences for minor offenses. In a 2022 analysis, the Tucson Sentinel revealed that the death rate at this Tucson facility exceeded even that of New York’s notorious Rikers Island, as reported in an extensive New York Times investigation.

Since 2017, nearly 60 individuals have lost their lives inside the Tucson jail. Many were unable to post bail, remaining behind bars as they awaited trial. Others, convicted of misdemeanors, were serving brief sentences for offenses like drug use, DUI, theft, and assault. A lack of proper staff training, inadequate treatment, and insufficient corrections personnel were identified by the Tucson Sentinel as key contributing factors to this devastating trend, which persisted despite a change in elected sheriffs and touted criminal justice reforms.

Statistics underline the severity: in 2021, Rikers Island reported 16 deaths among an average daily population of 5-6,000 inmates. During the same period, Pima County Jail saw 21 deaths among its smaller daily population of 1,500. COVID-19 contributed to some fatalities, but the majority were tied to drug overdoses or withdrawal symptoms, exacerbating concerns about the jail’s medical care and the training given to corrections officers. Allegations surfaced about corrections officers smuggling drugs into the facility. This prompted the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to implement measures to curb contraband introduced by both staff and inmates.

Joel Feinman, former head of the Pima County Public Defender’s Office, highlighted the dire conditions in an opinion piece for the Sentinel in 2022. “In 2021, one person died in the jail approximately every 31 days,” wrote Feinman, noting that the majority were young men of color found unresponsive in their cells.

In December 2022, Sheriff Chris Nanos reported to the Pima County Board of Supervisors that nearly 100 inmates had to sleep on the floor due to overcrowding. He recounted an incident where corrections officers barely managed to control 90 inmates who refused to lock down. Nanos warned that the 40-year-old facility was falling apart and urgently needed replacement, describing attempts to refurbish as merely “putting lipstick on a pig.”

Despite these declarations, the physical condition of the jail has not changed significantly, though staffing levels have improved. The sheriff credits the current period without an in-custody death—since September 26, 2023—to achieving full staffing levels but admits more personnel are still needed.

Transparency regarding in-custody deaths remains an issue. Delays in reporting deaths to the press, public, and even to the inmates’ legal representatives have occurred. Misidentifications and delays in informing families have been documented, with families sometimes unaware of loved ones’ fates for months.

Beyond the jail’s walls, Sheriff Nanos has pointed to societal issues contributing to the crisis. Individuals entering the jail often suffer from severe health, mental, and substance abuse issues, reflecting broader social problems. In 2023, a Blue Ribbon Commission was formed to explore solutions, including building a new jail or renovating the current one. However, the report was shelved in early 2024, with the county opting for an internal study and potentially appointing another commission for recommendations in 2025.