Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Jails Lose Healthcare Accreditation

Maricopa County jails have lost their accreditation from a national health-care agency.

The action could affect future health-care related lawsuits by inmates and their families and could expose the county to more liability.

The county received a letter Thursday from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, saying the jails were not "in compliance with the nationally accepted Standards for Health Services in jails." The letter didn't detail problems that could be fixed, and county officials say more information is needed.

An attorney for the ACLU says the accreditation decision underscores the need for county officials to bring the jails up to constitutional standards.

A federal judge in October ruled that Maricopa County's jails didn't meet minimum standards for care.

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Shaun P. Attwood