Sheriff’s officials spoke to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday about behavior toward inmates and protocol at the San Luis Obispo County Jail, seven months after the death of 36-year old Andrew Holland.
Sheriff Ian Parkinson talked about several improvements the jail has made since Holland’s death, including the discontinued use of a restraint chair. Holland died shortly after he left the restraint chair he’d been sitting in for 46 hours.
"We absolutely have responsibility in the loss of Andrew Holland," Parkinson said, adding he hopes the Holland family could find forgiveness following the death of their loved one.
Following his presentation, the audience applauded the sheriff.
Officials with County Mental Health are looking for the Board’s approval to continue making improvements for inmates who suffer from mental illness.
In response, family members of Andrew Holland also spoke at the meeting during the public comment section.
"He was killed by the decisions of people."- Josh Holland on the death of his cousin, Andrew Holland @KSBY
— Brooke Martell (@BrookeMartell) August 22, 2017
Ron Holland, a relative of Andrew’s, says he and the rest of his family are demanding full transparency and disclosure in what happened to Andrew. Another family member, Jerry Holland, brought up the surveillance video from the jail that shows Andrew’s death, saying the last portion of it was the "worst" when jail staff were seen laughing as Holland died.
The meeting was still in session as of 4 p.m. Tuesday. This story will be updated.
