Sheriff Baca agrees to shutter much of troubled Men's Central Jail

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/04/baca-agrees-to-shutter-much-of-troubled-mens-central-jail.html

Facing an FBI investigation into brutality in his jails, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca publicly committed Tuesday to shuttering much of his most problematic lockup, Men’s Central Jail, barring some unexpected spike in violent crime.

In the past, Baca has tied the idea of shutting down the troubled downtown Los Angeles facility to the county paying for an expensive new jail. The Times reported last month that for the first time Baca was open to shutting down the old section of Men’s Central Jail -- the epicenter of violent clashes between deputies and inmates -- even without a new jail.

Speaking at a news conference outside sheriff’s headquarters, Baca publicly committed to the plan for the first time, but dismissed the idea that he was shifting his long-held stance because of the intense scrutiny in recent months of abuse inside his jails.