Cook County Jail violates rights says U.S.

CHICAGO, July 17 (UPI) -- Inmates' constitutional rights are being violated by conditions at Chicago's Cook County Jail, said a U.S. Justice Department investigation.

In a Thursday news conference, U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald discussed the findings of the 17-month study, which concluded "that the jail has failed to adequately protect inmates from harm and serious risk of harm, including physical harm caused by inappropriate and excessive force used by staff and violence by other inmates; failed to provide adequate medical and mental healthcare, including suicide prevention; and failed to provide adequate environmental conditions, including fire safety and sanitation."

"The Cook County Jail has an obligation to provide conditions of confinement that do not offend the Constitution and take reasonable measures to protect inmates from harm," Fitzgerald said. "This investigation clearly found that the jail failed that test. We are hopeful that county officials will continue the cooperation they demonstrated during the investigation so that remedies for these serious violations can be brought about."

Cook County Jail has approximately 9,800 adult male and female inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial in the Illinois criminal court system. It is staffed by about 3,800 law enforcement officers and civilian employees.