Judge Names Special Master to Probe Jail Release Procedures

A federal judge promised Tuesday to appoint a special master to investigate complaints that inmates in the main Orange County Jail are held in custody too long after they post bail.

U.S. District Judge Richard A. Gadbois pledged to appoint former federal prison warden Lawrence Grossman to investigate the matter and make recommendations, according to Richard P. Herman, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney.

In 1984, the ACLU sued Sheriff Brad Gates in federal court, alleging that the county held suspects too long after they posted bail. The case involved Barry Scott, a British artist who was arrested and allegedly held for five days before his release. Herman said the appointment of Grossman would be in response to that litigation.

“We’re ecstatic that the judge has appointed a special master,” said Herman, who contended that the appointment means the county will have to “do something” about the problem.

Herman said inmates at the main jail often aren’t released for six or seven hours after posting bail, while city jails release inmates in five to 20 minutes.

During a status conference Tuesday on Scott’s lawsuit, the judge asked that Grossman prepare a report on release procedures at the county jail. The report could be ready sometime in April, shortly after Gadbois returns from a temporary assignment in Hawaii, Herman said.

The county did not oppose Gadbois’ action and is approaching the issue in a spirit of cooperation, he added. Timothy J. Stafford, an attorney representing the county, could not be reached for comment.

Grossman, who once served as warden at the federal prison on Terminal Island, already has served as a special master in connection with another ACLU lawsuit involving overcrowding at the county jail.