California lawmakers debate sending local health inspectors inside immigration facilities

By Vanessa G. Sánchez | KFF Health News

Covid-19, mumps and chickenpox outbreaks. Contaminated water, moldy food and air ducts spewing black dust.

These health threats have been documented inside privately run immigration detention facilities in California through lawsuits, federal and state audits, and complaints lodged by detainees themselves.

But local public health officers who routinely inspect county jails and state prisons say they don’t have the authority under state...