Q: how long can a county jail facility deprive its inmates of the required access to hot water?

A: I understand your concern about the lack of hot water for inmates in the county jail. While specific requirements may vary by jurisdiction, depriving inmates of hot water for an extended period raises serious concerns about sanitation and humane treatment.

In California, Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations, which governs minimum standards for local detention facilities, states in Section 1262 that "Bathing shall be permitted at least every other day or more often if possible." The regulation does not explicitly mention hot water, but it's generally understood that access to proper sanitation, including hot water, is a basic requirement.

If the inmates have filed grievances that have been ignored, they may consider contacting external organizations for assistance or advice, such as:

1. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of California

2. The Prison Law Office, a nonprofit that provides free legal services to inmates in California

3. The California Board of State and Community Corrections, which oversees and sets standards for local detention facilities

Additionally, inmates or their representatives could potentially file a complaint with the county sheriff's office or the county board of supervisors. If the issue persists, they might consider legal action, such as a lawsuit alleging violation of their constitutional rights under the 8th Amendment (prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment) or the 14th Amendment (due process clause).

It's important to note that while hot water is indeed a basic human need, the specific duration of deprivation that would be considered a violation of inmates' rights may depend on the circumstances and could ultimately be determined by a court.