OGDEN, Utah (AP) — Utah officials have started the process of gathering information on deaths and substance abuse and drug withdrawal in county jails.
The Standard-Examiner reports the Utah Legislature in March created an annual reporting system and ordered a study of jailhouse substance abuse issues after there were multiple reports of inmates dying while withdrawing from heroin or other opiates.
At least four deaths in 2016 sparked outrage over jail medical policies, resulting in federal court lawsuits against the counties involved. Those cases were among a reported 25 deaths in Utah jails that year, the most since at least 2000.
Counties are required to submit the annual death reports by Aug. 1.
The substance abuse work group must submit its report by Nov. 30, the date the group is scheduled by law to expire.
