Advocates and attorneys said the report identified widespread issues within the jail system, including problems with staffing, intake procedures and oversight.
"[The report] found that the Riverside County jails have systemic failures regarding their staffing, regarding intake and screening, regarding supervision, regarding a failure to investigate the in-custody deaths in an independent way," said attorney Denisse Gastelum.
Among those at the rally was Lisa Matus, whose son died in a Riverside County jail in August 2022. He was awaiting prosecution on attempted murder charges, and his death was ruled a drug overdose.
Matus is now among those suing the county.
"We should not be even standing here today, right?" Matus said. "I firmly believe that if oversight had been implemented, we would not be standing here today. And I keep saying that, and I say it over and over. Because it's the truth."
Speakers called on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to establish an independent oversight body to review jail operations and ensure accountability.
"We cannot trust this department. We cannot trust the sheriff," said attorney Christian Contreras. "So we need someone to come in and regulate this department and ensure that the law is being complied with and the law is not being broken."
Some county supervisors addressed the issue during Tuesday's board meeting, acknowledging the seriousness of the findings while emphasizing the need for reforms.
"We take very seriously what is inside the Grand Jury report," said 1st District Supervisor Jose Medina.
"This is not necessarily about placing blame, but this is about correcting an injustice," 4th District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez added.
In response to an Eyewitness News request for comment, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said the department would comply with procedural requirements but rejected the report's recommendations.
"The office of the sheriff will provide our required response to the Grand Jury as soon as possible," Bianco said in the statement. "We will not implement any of their recommendations concerning oversight. This current report is worth absolutely nothing and has tarnished the reputation of all previous Grand Jury reports. They should be embarrassed."