From: SFGate
By Henry K. Lee 8/31/15
Santa Clara County officials refused Monday to release information on an inmate who died at the Main Jail in San Jose — or say why three correctional officers were placed on leave.
The inmate, whose identity has not been released, was found unresponsive during a routine welfare check at the jail Thursday at 12:30 a.m., officials said. He died at the scene.
Sheriff’s Sgt. James Jensen would not identify the inmate or say why he had been jailed or how long he had been house. But he has confirmed that three correctional officers were placed on leave.
The correctional officers are distinct from sheriff’s deputies who patrol the county’s unincorporated areas and serve as bailiffs in county courtrooms, said attorney Michael Rains, whose firm represents the county’s sworn deputies but not the correctional officers.
Attorneys with the firm that represents county correctional officers did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.
J.J. Kapp, an assistant Santa Clara County public defender, said Monday, “We are always extremely concerned when an inmate dies or is hurt in the County Jail. We are not at liberty to reveal the name of the inmate or the nature of any charges. We do not know the circumstances of the death. We understand that there is an ongoing investigation pending.”63331
