U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is releasing the findings of a U.S. Justice Department investigation of Cook County Jail.  The findings say the jail “systematically violates inmates" federal constitutional rights.

The 17-month investigation began in February of 2007, and subsequently found that “the jail has failed to adequately protect inmates from harm and serious risk of harm, including physical harm caused by inappropriate and excessive force used by staff and violence by other inmates,” according to a statement from Fitzgerald’s office.  The statement went on to say investigators also concluded that the jail “has failed to provide adequate medical and mental care, including suicide prevention; and failed to provide adequate environmental conditions, including fire safety and sanitation, all resulting in unconstitutional living conditions.”

“The Cook County Jail has an obligation to provide conditions of confinement that do not offend the Constitution and take reasonable measures to protect inmates from harm,” says Fitzgerald, “the jail failed that test.”

The findings of the investigation were given to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart in a 98-page letter delivered on July 11.  Neither has publicly discussed the matter in the intervening days.  The U.S. Attorney’s office says the law allows the federal government to file a lawsuit to force corrections of deficiencies 49 days after the appropriate local officials have been notified of the violations.

Cook County Jail has long struggled with over-crowding and allegations of inadequate living conditions.  It is currently under a federal consent decree limiting population.

Board President Stroger and Sheriff Dart were not immediately available for comment.