Although inmates in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation have access to and receive better mental health care than most the public, a federal judge fined the department $112 million. The huge fine comes from the amount of money the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has saved by not filling mental health staff positions.
The ruling was unwelcome news for Gov. Newsom, who is struggling with a budget deficit that’s forcing reductions in numerous state programs.
CDCR has taken extraordinary steps to expand access to mental health care, which is impressive considering the nationwide staffing shortage. CDCR has invested in recruitment efforts, streamlined the hiring process, continued use of registry staff to alleviate staffing vacancies, and increased salaries and benefits to retain and attract more mental healthcare providers.
Any staff member can refer inmates for mental health, and the inmates are seen in very short order. This isn’t enough for activists who continue to believe inmates deserve better care and treatment than civilians.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesperson Terri Hardy said the state will appeal Mueller’s order. Prisoners “often have greater access to mental health care in custody than what presently exists for people outside” because of the state’s “extraordinary steps to expand access to mental health care,” Hardy said.
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