Letter to the editor: Allegheny County Jail investigations critical

The article “Pittsburgh-area woman decries use of force at Allegheny County Jail” (July 23, TribLIVE) regarding an expert’s testimony of the jail’s continued excessive use of force and the warden’s “lack of understanding of the use-of-force policy” begs the question that the Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board needs to conduct independent investigations of the jail. The board cannot rely on the statements from the warden as its primary source of information for its oversight, which it has done.

The board has come to the conclusion that it does not have the time or capability to conduct investigations of the jail and is considering the hiring of a full-time staff, a liaison, who would conduct independent investigations of the jail on its behalf.

The history of high suicide rates, huge staffing problems and very high rates of using excessive force at ACJ compared to other jails forces the board to make no other choice than to fulfill its statutory responsibility by hiring the liaison to ensure “the health and safe keeping” of its residents.

John Kenstowicz

Highland Park