California is facing potential fines for failing to provide adequate mental health care within its prisons. The case, known as Coleman v. Newsom, is a class action lawsuit that has been ongoing for decades, focusing on the mental health care provided in state prisons.
In early October, Chief U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller held a multi-day hearing to consider whether California should be held in contempt and required to pay substantial fines for not having sufficient mental health staff in its prisons. Testimony during the hearing covered various aspects, including recruitment and retention of staff, salary ranges, and working conditions in the prisons.
Based on testimony and evidence presented during the hearing, nearly $6.7 million in fines accrued each month, resulting in over $40 million in fines from April to September. The class attorneys argued that the state had opportunities to demonstrate that its wages were inadequate to attract the necessary number of mental health professionals and that salaries did not influence recruitment.
According to the class attorney, Lisa Ells, the state failed to address the issue effectively. She criticized the working conditions in prisons, citing issues such as rodent infestations and a lack of two-ply toilet paper. Ells contended that the state needed to increase salaries to attract more mental health professionals to work in challenging conditions.
The state’s attorney, Paul Mello, argued that his clients had made reasonable efforts to fill vacancies and streamline the hiring process. Mello emphasized the challenges faced by the state, including a nationwide shortage of mental health providers, changing employee expectations in the post-pandemic era, and the “Great Resignation.”
The judge will consider the evidence presented during the hearing when determining whether California should be held in contempt and pay the accumulated fines, which have reached over $40 million for the specified period.
The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for Tuesday in Sacramento.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges associated with providing adequate mental health care within the state’s prison system and the potential financial penalties that California may face for its failure to address these issues effectively.
