In-Custody Death Review
Local Detention Facilities
In 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 519 (Atkins), which expands the Board’s mission to include the promotion of legal and safe conditions for youth, inmates, and staff in local detention facilities. SB 519 establishes the position of Director of In-Custody Death Review (ICDR) within the Board of State and Community Corrections. The Director is a Governor-appointed position and is subject to confirmation by the Senate for a six-year term.
The ICDR Division is required to:
- review investigations of any death incident occurring within a local detention facility;
- make recommendations to local Sheriffs and Departments of Correction;
- follow up with local detention facilities on their implementation of the recommendations; and
- make information available to the public.
Allison Ganter, ICDR Director
ICDR Listening Sessions
The BSCC hosted listening sessions designed for community members to learn about the ICDR Division and share feedback, thoughts, and experiences with ICDR Director, Allison Ganter. Questions, comments, and feedback regarding the listening sessions may be sent to icdrpublic@bscc.ca.gov.
Listening Session 4
On May 28, 2025 ICDR hosted a listening session facilitated by Director, Allison Ganter and BSCC Board member, Dr. Karen Lai, MD. This listening session was organized in collaboration with North County Equity & Justice Coalition and Saving Lives in Custody California.
Listening Session 3
This session was held in Sacramento on March 30, 2025 and was organized in collaboration with Care First California, Policy Pathways, Carceral Ecologies, and Dignity and Power Now.
Listening Sessions 1 and 2
ICDR hosted Listening Session 1 in Escondido, California on December 14, 2024 and Listening Session 2 in Sacramento on January 15, 2025. Each session was two hours in length. The video for Session 2 was edited to remove periods of silence.
Reporting an In-Custody Death
To align with the legislative changes that created an ICDR Division within the BSCC, Title 15 Section 1046, Death in Custody was amended and now requires facility administrators to:
- Submit a copy of the in-custody death report required to be submitted to DOJ, per Government Code Section 12525 to the BSCC within 10 days of the death;
- Conduct an initial review and complete a written report of the death within 30 days of the death (Initial Death Review Report); and
- Submit a copy of the Initial Death Review Report to the BSCC within 60 days of the death.
The BSCC has developed resources to assist agencies in understanding the reporting requirements and how to report an in-custody death.
Direct any questions regarding ICDR data reporting requirements and procedures to ICDRReporting@bscc.ca.gov.
Reporting Resources
Submit a Report
ICDR Reporting Webinar - June 27, 2024
This webinar was held on June 27, 2024. Watch the ICDR Reporting Webinar
