Top 10 Worst County Jails In America, and why [2023]

February 25, 2023

The United States is home to numerous county jails, which serve as local detention facilities for individuals awaiting trial or serving short sentences. Critics have criticized some county jails for providing inhumane living conditions, inadequate medical care, and high rates of violence, while others have been praised for their safe and humane conditions for inmates. This has led to the identification of several county jails as some of the worst in the country.

In this context, this discussion will explore the top 10 worst county jails in America, based on various sources and criteria, highlighting the issues and challenges faced by inmates and the criminal justice system as a whole. By examining these county jails and the problems they face, we can gain a better understanding of the issues plaguing the American criminal justice system and work towards solutions to improve conditions for inmates and promote justice and fairness for all.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Worst County Jails In America

Here is the top 10 worst jails in America and the reasons why

Orleans Parish Prison, Louisiana

For decades, critics have widely recognized Orleans Parish Prison in Louisiana as one of the worst county jails in America due to a range of issues that have plagued the facility. Some of the main reasons that this jail is on the worst list include:

Overcrowding: Consistently overcrowding has led to inhumane living conditions for inmates and has made it difficult for staff to provide adequate care at Orleans Parish Prison in Louisiana.
Violence: The jail has a long history of violence, with high rates of inmate-on-inmate violence and excessive use of force by guards.
Inadequate medical care: Critics have singled out Orleans Parish Prison in Louisiana for its inadequate medical care, which includes long wait times for medical attention and limited access to necessary medications.
Poor conditions: Critics have described Orleans Parish Prison in Louisiana as dirty, unsanitary, and lacking basic amenities like clean clothing and bedding.
Legal action: The jail has been the target of numerous legal actions over the years, with plaintiffs alleging various issues such as excessive force, inadequate medical care, and poor living conditions.

People have made calls for reform and improvement at Orleans Parish Prison due to these issues, and in recent years, authorities have undertaken efforts to address some of the facility’s problems. However, ensuring that Orleans Parish Prison and similar facilities provide humane and safe conditions for inmates remains a work in progress.

Rikers Island, New York City

Rikers Island is one of the most well-known county jails in the United States, and unfortunately, it has earned a reputation as one of the worst due to a range of issues that have plagued the facility for decades. Some of the main reasons that Rikers Island is on the worst list include:

Violence: Rikers Island has a long history of violence, with high rates of inmate-on-inmate violence and excessive use of force by guards. There have been many reports of physical abuse, sexual assault, and mistreatment of inmates by staff.
Corruption: Staff at the jail have faced allegations of corruption and abuse of power, including reports of smuggling drugs and weapons into the facility.
Inhumane living conditions: Critics have criticized the jail for its overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions, and lack of basic amenities such as clean water and adequate heating.
Lack of mental health services: Many inmates at Rikers Island suffer from mental health issues, but critics have criticized the jail for its inadequate mental health services and for subjecting mentally ill inmates to solitary confinement.
Legal action: Over the years, the jail has been embroiled in several legal battles, with lawsuits being filed against it for a range of issues, including allegations of excessive force, inadequate medical care, and poor living conditions.

Calls for reform and improvement at Rikers Island have arisen due to these issues, and authorities have made efforts in recent years to address some of the issues facing the facility. However, the jail remains a symbol of the problems plaguing the American criminal justice system and the need for systemic change to ensure humane and safe conditions for inmates.

Los Angeles County Jail, California

Several reasons, including, have led to Los Angeles County Jail in California being counted among the worst county jails in America:

Overcrowding: Consistent overcrowding has plagued the jail, resulting in inhumane living conditions for inmates and making it difficult for staff to provide adequate care.
Violence: The jail has a long history of violence, with high rates of inmate-on-inmate violence and excessive use of force by guards. There have been many reports of physical abuse, sexual assault, and mistreatment of inmates by staff.
Poor living conditions: Critics have criticized the jail for its unsanitary living conditions, inadequate access to healthcare, and lack of basic amenities such as clean water and adequate heating.
Mental health issues: Many inmates at Los Angeles County Jail suffer from mental health issues, but critics have criticized the jail for its inadequate mental health services and for subjecting mentally ill inmates to solitary confinement.
Legal action: Litigation has been a recurring theme for the jail, with numerous lawsuits being filed against it over the years. These legal actions have stemmed from a range of issues, including allegations of excessive force, inadequate medical care, and substandard living conditions.

Calls for reform and improvement at Los Angeles County Jail have arisen due to these issues, and authorities have made efforts in recent years to address some of the issues facing the facility. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the jail provides humane and safe conditions for inmates.

Cook County Jail, Illinois

Cook County Jail, located in Illinois, has been counted among the worst county jails in America for several reasons, including:

Overcrowding: The jail has a capacity of about 10,000 inmates, but it has regularly housed over 12,000 inmates, leading to inhumane living conditions and making it difficult for staff to provide adequate care.
Violence: Cook County Jail has a long history of violence, with high rates of inmate-on-inmate violence and excessive use of force by guards. There have been many reports of physical abuse, sexual assault, and mistreatment of inmates by staff.
Poor living conditions: Critics have criticized the jail for its unsanitary living conditions, inadequate access to healthcare, and lack of basic amenities such as clean water and adequate heating.
Legal issues: The jail’s track record has been marred by multiple lawsuits over the years, with plaintiffs taking legal action over allegations of excessive force, inadequate medical care, and unacceptable living conditions.
Mental health issues: Many inmates at Cook County Jail suffer from mental health issues, but the jail has been criticized for its inadequate mental health services and for subjecting mentally ill inmates to solitary confinement.

These issues have led to calls for reform and improvement at Cook County Jail, and efforts have been made in recent years to address some of the issues facing the facility. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the jail provides humane and safe conditions for inmates.

Maricopa County Jail, Arizona

Maricopa County Jail, located in Arizona, has been counted among the worst county jails in America for several reasons, including:

Overcrowding: The jail has been consistently overcrowded, leading to inhumane living conditions for inmates and making it difficult for staff to provide adequate care.
Poor living conditions: Critics have criticized the jail for its unsanitary living conditions, inadequate access to healthcare, and lack of basic amenities such as clean water and adequate heating.
Violence: The jail has a high rate of violence, with reports of inmate-on-inmate violence and excessive use of force by guards.
Treatment of immigrants: Critics have criticized the jail for its treatment of immigrant detainees, with reports of poor conditions and inadequate medical care for detainees who are held at the jail while awaiting immigration hearings.
Legal action: Over the years, the jail has found itself embroiled in a litany of legal disputes, with plaintiffs filing lawsuits over issues such as excessive force, inadequate medical care, and deplorable living conditions.

Calls for reform and improvement at Maricopa County Jail have arisen due to these issues, and authorities have made efforts in recent years to address some of the issues facing the facility. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the jail provides humane and safe conditions for inmates.

Harris County Jail, Texas

Harris County Jail, located in Texas, has been counted among the worst county jails in America for several reasons, including:

Overcrowding: Consistent overcrowding has plagued the jail, resulting in inhumane living conditions for inmates and making it difficult for staff to provide adequate care.
Poor living conditions: The jail has been criticized for its unsanitary living conditions, inadequate access to healthcare, and lack of basic amenities such as clean water and adequate heating.
Treatment of mentally ill inmates: The jail has been criticized for its inadequate mental health services and for subjecting mentally ill inmates to solitary confinement.
Legal action: The jail has a history of being the target of legal action, with numerous lawsuits filed against it over the years. The allegations range from excessive force to subpar medical care and inhumane living conditions.
Violence: The jail has a high rate of violence, with reports of inmate-on-inmate violence and excessive use of force by guards.

These issues have led to calls for reform and improvement at Harris County Jail, and efforts have been made in recent years to address some of the issues facing the facility. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the jail provides humane and safe conditions for inmates.

Philadelphia County Jail, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia County Jail, located in Pennsylvania, has been counted among the worst county jails in America for several reasons, including:

Overcrowding: The jail has been consistently overcrowded, leading to inhumane living conditions for inmates and making it difficult for staff to provide adequate care.
Poor living conditions: The jail has been criticized for its unsanitary living conditions, inadequate access to healthcare, and lack of basic amenities such as clean water and adequate heating.
Legal issues: Legal challenges have been commonplace for the jail, with plaintiffs alleging a host of issues, including excessive force, inadequate medical care, and unsanitary living conditions.
Violence: The jail has a high rate of violence, with reports of inmate-on-inmate violence and excessive use of force by guards.
Treatment of mentally ill inmates: The jail has been criticized for its inadequate mental health services and for subjecting mentally ill inmates to solitary confinement.

These issues have led to calls for reform and improvement at Philadelphia County Jail, and efforts have been made in recent years to address some of the issues facing the facility. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the jail provides humane and safe conditions for inmates.

Fulton County Jail, Georgia

Fulton County Jail, located in Georgia, has been counted among the worst county jails in America for several reasons, including:

Overcrowding: The jail has been consistently overcrowded, leading to inhumane living conditions for inmates and making it difficult for staff to provide adequate care.
Poor living conditions: The jail has been criticized for its unsanitary living conditions, inadequate access to healthcare, and lack of basic amenities such as clean water and adequate heating.
Legal issues: The jail has been the subject of multiple lawsuits over the years, with plaintiffs seeking legal redress over various issues, including allegations of excessive force, inadequate medical care, and degrading living conditions.
Violence: The jail has a high rate of violence, with reports of inmate-on-inmate violence and excessive use of force by guards.
Treatment of mentally ill inmates: The jail has been criticized for its inadequate mental health services and for subjecting mentally ill inmates to solitary confinement.

These issues have led to calls for reform and improvement at Fulton County Jail, and efforts have been made in recent years to address some of the issues facing the facility. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the jail provides humane and safe conditions for inmates.

St. Louis City Justice Center, Missouri

The St. Louis City Justice Center, located in Missouri, has been counted among the worst county jails in America for several reasons, including:

Overcrowding: The jail has been consistently overcrowded, leading to inhumane living conditions for inmates and making it difficult for staff to provide adequate care.
Poor living conditions: The jail has been criticized for its unsanitary living conditions, inadequate access to healthcare, and lack of basic amenities such as clean water and adequate heating.
Legal issues: Lawsuits have been a constant presence for the jail, with plaintiffs taking legal action against it over a range of issues, such as excessive force, inadequate medical care, and substandard living conditions.
Violence: The jail has a high rate of violence, with reports of inmate-on-inmate violence and excessive use of force by guards.
Treatment of mentally ill inmates: The jail has been criticized for its inadequate mental health services and for subjecting mentally ill inmates to solitary confinement.

These issues have led to calls for reform and improvement at the St. Louis City Justice Center, and efforts have been made in recent years to address some of the issues facing the facility. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the jail provides humane and safe conditions for inmates.

Oklahoma County Jail, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma County Jail, located in Oklahoma, has been counted among the worst county jails in America for several reasons, including:

Overcrowding: The jail has been consistently overcrowded, leading to inhumane living conditions for inmates and making it difficult for staff to provide adequate care.
Poor living conditions: The jail has been criticized for its unsanitary living conditions, inadequate access to healthcare, and lack of basic amenities such as clean water and adequate heating.
Legal issues: The jail has faced numerous lawsuits over the years, with plaintiffs alleging issues such as excessive force, inadequate medical care, and poor living conditions.
Violence: The jail has a high rate of violence, with reports of inmate-on-inmate violence and excessive use of force by guards.
Treatment of mentally ill inmates: The jail has been criticized for its inadequate mental health services and for subjecting mentally ill inmates to solitary confinement.

These issues have led to calls for reform and improvement at the Oklahoma County Jail, and efforts have been made in recent years to address some of the issues facing the facility. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the jail provides humane and safe conditions for inmates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ten county jails discussed here have been consistently counted among the worst in America due to issues such as overcrowding, poor living conditions, legal issues, violence, and inadequate treatment of mentally ill inmates. These issues not only make life in these jails inhumane for inmates, but they also pose a risk to public safety as they fail to provide rehabilitation and support for individuals who may eventually return to society. While efforts have been made to improve conditions in some of these jails, it is clear that there is still much work to be done to ensure that all inmates are treated with dignity and respect, and that county jails across America meet basic standards of safety and care.