RANCHO CUCAMONGA – (INT) - A federal class action lawsuit has been filed against San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon and the county over alleged discriminatory policies at the West Valley Detention Center.

Fifteen plaintiffs claim that gay, bisexual and transgender inmates are being denied equal access to work, recreation and rehabilitative programs solely based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The lawsuit says those inmates are housed in an “alternative lifestyle tank,” where they are denied access to work and rehabilitative programs that allow them to earn time credits and reduce their sentences.

LGBT inmates are allegedly confined to their cells for up to 23 hours a day.

The lawsuit seeks to require San Bernardino County and the sheriff’s department to provide all inmates equal access and treatment to programs, as required by state and federal law.

Meantime,four deputy sheriffs involved in the West Valley Detention Center investigation were placed on paid administrative leave this week pending the outcome of the administrative investigation into mistreatment of inmates.

Story Date: October 26, 2014