Grand jury report calls for significant changes at Santa Cruz County Jail

The Santa Cruz County grand jury issued its third consecutive report on deaths in the Santa Cruz County Jail since October 2012 on Wednesday.

The report states significant changes need to be made to existing jail policies and procedures. It also calls for a new independent contractor to oversee medical services at the jail.

The most recent report found mother Krista DeLuca, 23, died in jail after four days of vomiting, dehydration and aspiration pneumonia while being monitored for drug withdrawal.

Click here for the full report.

On Wednesday, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report, calling DeLuca’s death “tragic.” The office also said the incident “requires a thorough examination to determine if staff fulfilled their responsibilities and prevent future occurrences.”