Groups open legal front against Utah's secret jail standards

"Two civil rights groups are fighting for public disclosure of Utah’s closely guarded jail standards, which are maintained by a private contractor in cooperation with another non-governmental entity, the Utah Sheriffs’ Association.

“It’s crucial to knowing whether jails are properly treating people charged to their care,” said David Reymann, an attorney representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah and the Disability Law Center.

A public spotlight is blazing on Utah’s county jails this year after a wave of deaths due to suicide, injuries and drug-related problems. According to the most recently available federal statistics, Utah leads the nation in per-capita jail deaths. And records gathered by the Standard-Examiner from the 29 counties showed at least 24 jail deaths were reported statewide in 2016..."

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